Chris Connor All About Ronnie

Mary Jean Loutsenhizer, known professionally as Chris Connor (November 8, 1927 – August 29, 2009) was an American jazz singer.

This lovely jazz vocalist recorded something like 150 songs for the Atlantic label alone, about a quarter of which are collected here on this double-CD set.

Chris Connor is an album by jazz singer Chris Connor. Atlantic Records released the album, Connor's first for the label, in 1956. The recording was Atlantic's first jazz vocal LP record.

AVID Jazz here presents four classic Chris Connor albums plus including original LP liner notes on a finely re-mastered and low priced double CD. “Lullaby Of Birdland”; “Chris”; “This Is Chris”; “Chris Connor” and side one of “He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not”. A series of firsts greet our first selection of our tribute to legendary jazz vocalist Chris Connor, “Sings Lullaby of Birdland”. Her first job singing with a trio, her first recording contract and her first LP record! The trio in question comprises Ellis Larkins on piano, Everett Barksdale (from Art Tatum’s band) on guitar and Beverly Peer on bass. Her second album “Chris” features tracks from her first date for Bethlehem which were arranged and conducted by Sy Oliver. For her third album “This Is Chris” her reputation was beginning to grow as can be seen in her fine company of musicians. Chris is joined by Ralph Sharon on piano, Milt Hinton on bass, Osie Johnson on drums, Joe Puma on guitar, Herbie Mann on flute and Kai Wiinding and JJ Johnson on trombones.

Along with June Christy, Helen O'Connell, and Julie London, Chris Connor epitomized cool jazz singing in the 1950s. Influenced by Anita O'Day, the torchy, smoky singer wasn't one for aggression. Like Chet Baker on the trumpet or Paul Desmond and Lee Konitz on alto sax, she used subtlety and restraint to their maximum advantage. At the University of Missouri, Connor (who had studied clarinet at an early age) sang with a Stan Kentonish big band led by trombonist Bob Brookmeyer before leaving her native Kansas City for New York in 1947.

Chris Connor (November 8, 1927 - August 29, 2009) was an American jazz singer known for her distinctive style and expression. Born in Kansas City, her father was an eminent musician and Chris soon studied and became proficient in the clarinet.
Chris joined the "Snowflake

Reissue of Chris Connor's best-selling debut for Bethlehem label. Connor, who was 26 at this time, is in top form and displays a wider range than one might expect. The original 10-inches LP reached the number one position on the Billboard jazz chart in April 1955, having sold over 40,000 copies, a remarkable achievement for jazz records back then.