Harry Connick Jr.

Biography

Joseph Harry Fowler Connick Jr. (born September 11, 1967) is an American singer, pianist, composer, actor, and former television host. As of 2019, he has sold over 30 million albums worldwide. Connick is ranked among the top 60 best-selling male artists in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America, with 16 million in certified sales. He has had seven top 20 U.S. albums, and ten number-one U.S. jazz albums, earning more number-one albums than any other artist in U.S. jazz chart history as of 2009.
Connick's best-selling album in the United States is his Christmas album When My Heart Finds Christmas×When My Heart Finds Christmas26 October 1993 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 14 tracks1Sleigh Ride3:442When My Heart Finds Christmas4:323(It Must've Been Ol') Santa Claus4:404The Blessed Dawn of Christmas Day4:405Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!2:356The Little Drummer Boy3:427Ave Maria4:358Parade of the Wooden Soldiers3:279What Child Is This?3:1210Christmas Dreaming2:4111I Pray on Christmas3:4812Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer2:3213O Holy Night6:4514What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?4:49 (1993). His highest-charting album is Only You×Only You3 February 2004 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1More4:132The Very Thought of You3:403Save the Last Dance for Me4:504My Blue Heaven3:175You Don't Know Me4:046All These Things4:417For Once in My Life3:578Only You4:449My Prayer4:1110Other Hours4:0111I Only Have Eyes for You4:1412Good Night My Love (Pleasant Dreams)4:35 (2004), which reached No. 5 in the U.S. and No. 6 in Britain. He has won three Grammy Awards and two Emmy Awards. He played Leo Markus, the husband of Grace Adler (played by Debra Messing) on the NBC sitcom Will & Grace from 2002 to 2006.
Connick began his acting career playing a tail gunner in the World War II film Memphis Belle (1990). He played a serial killer in Copycat (1995) before being cast as a fighter pilot in the blockbuster Independence Day (1996). Connick's first role as a leading man was in Hope Floats (1998) with Sandra Bullock. He also lent his voice to the animated cult classic The Iron Giant (1999). His first thriller film since Copycat was Basic (2003) with John Travolta. Additionally, he played a violent ex-husband in Bug (2006), and starred in two romantic comedies: P.S. I Love You (2007) with Oscar-winner Hilary Swank, and New in Town (2009) with Oscar-winner Renée Zellweger. In 2011, he appeared in the family film Dolphin Tale as Dr. Clay Haskett and in its 2014 sequel.

Early life

Harry Connick Jr. was born and raised in New Orleans. His mother, Anita Frances Livingston (née Levy; 1926–1981), was a lawyer and judge in New Orleans. His father, Harry Connick Sr. (1926–2024), was the district attorney of Orleans Parish from 1973 to 2003. He has an older sister named Suzanna.
His parents also owned a record store. Connick's father was a Roman Catholic of Northern Irish descent, while his mother, who died of ovarian cancer when he was 13 years old, was Jewish and from New York; his part-Jewish heritage would later inspire him to play Jewish doctor Leo on Will & Grace. In addition to his career as a prosecutor, Connick Sr. also had a career performing weekly gigs at French Quarter Clubs. Connick and his sister, Suzanna, were raised in the Lakeview neighborhood of New Orleans.
Connick began learning to play keyboards at age three, playing publicly at age five, and recording with a local jazz band when he was ten. At the age of nine, Connick performed Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 Opus 37 with the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra (now the Louisiana Philharmonic).
Later he played a duet with Eubie Blake at the Royal Orleans Esplanade Lounge in New Orleans. The song was "I'm Just Wild About Harry". It was recorded for a Japanese documentary called Jazz Around the World. The clip was also shown in a Bravo special called Worlds of Harry Connick, Junior in 1999. His musical talents were developed at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and under the tutelage of Ellis Marsalis Jr. and James Booker.
Connick attended Jesuit High School, Isidore Newman School, Lakeview School, and the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, all in New Orleans. After an unsuccessful attempt studying jazz at Loyola University New Orleans as well as giving recitals in the classical and jazz piano programs at Loyola, he left the city. He lived at the 92nd Street YMHA in New York City while he was a student at Hunter College and the Manhattan School of Music.
There he met Columbia Records executive George Butler, who persuaded him to sign with the label. His first record, Harry Connick Jr., was mainly an album of instrumental standards. He soon acquired a reputation in jazz because of his regular performances at various high-profile New York City venues. His next album, 20, featured vocals and added to his success.

When Harry Met Sally..., success on charts and in movies

Connick's reputation was growing, and director Rob Reiner asked him to provide a soundtrack for his romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally... (1989), starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal. The soundtrack consisted of several standards, including "It Had to Be You×It Had to Be You1991 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1It Had Be You2:412I Could Write a Book2:293But Not for Me4:324Stompin’ at the Savoy4:145Where or When3:526It’s Alright With Me4:547Promise Me You’ll Remember5:128We Are in Love2:429Forever, for Now4:2210Lofty’s Roach Souffle5:2311Don’t Get Around Much Anymore4:2312Recipe for Love2:35", "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" and "Don't Get Around Much Anymore". The soundtrack earned double-platinum status in the United States. Connick won his first Grammy Award for Best Jazz Male Vocal Performance for his work on the soundtrack.
Connick made his screen debut in Memphis Belle (1990), based on a true story about a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber crew in World War II. In that year, he began a two-year world tour. In addition, he released two albums in July 1990: the instrumental jazz trio album Lofty's Roach Soufflé and a big-band album of mostly original songs titled We Are in Love×We Are in Love3 July 1990 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1We Are in Love2:442Only 'Cause I Don't Have You4:263Recipe for Love2:384Drifting5:195Forever, For Now4:256A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square5:137Heavenly2:038Just a Boy6:109I've Got a Great Idea4:2510I'll Dream of You Again3:3511It's Alright With Me4:5512Buried in Blue6:56, which also went double platinum. We Are in Love earned him his second consecutive Grammy for Best Jazz Male Vocal.
"Promise Me You'll Remember", his contribution to the Godfather III soundtrack, was nominated for both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award in 1991. In a year of recognition, he was also nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Performance in a Variety Special for his PBS special Swinging Out Live, which was also released as a video. In October 1991, he released his third consecutive multi-platinum album, Blue Light, Red Light×Blue Light, Red Light17 October 1991 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Blue Light, Red Light (Someone’s There)3:312A Blessing and a Curse3:063You Didn’t Know Me When3:134Jill6:135He Is They Are4:156With Imagination (I’ll Get There)5:017If I Could Give You More4:508The Last Payday7:179It’s Time6:3810She Belongs to Me3:5711Sonny Cried5:4712Just Kiss Me4:54, on which he wrote and arranged the songs. Also in October 1991, he starred in Little Man Tate, directed by Jodie Foster, playing the friend of a child prodigy who goes to college.
In November 1992, Connick released 25, a solo piano collection of standards that again went platinum. He also re-released the album Eleven. Connick contributed "A Wink and a Smile×A Wink and a Smile22 August 2000 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1A Wink and a Smile2:492Parle Plus Bas4:263St. James Infirmary Blues / Just a Closer Walk With Thee7:38" to the Sleepless in Seattle soundtrack, released in 1993. His multi-platinum album of holiday songs, When My Heart Finds Christmas×When My Heart Finds Christmas26 October 1993 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 14 tracks1Sleigh Ride3:442When My Heart Finds Christmas4:323(It Must've Been Ol') Santa Claus4:404The Blessed Dawn of Christmas Day4:405Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!2:356The Little Drummer Boy3:427Ave Maria4:358Parade of the Wooden Soldiers3:279What Child Is This?3:1210Christmas Dreaming2:4111I Pray on Christmas3:4812Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer2:3213O Holy Night6:4514What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?4:49, was the best-selling Christmas album in 1993.

Mid-1990s: funk

In 1994, Connick decided to branch out. He released She, an album of New Orleans funk that also went platinum. In addition, he released a song called "(I Could Only) Whisper Your Name×(I Could Only) Whisper Your Name1994 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1(I Could Only) Whisper Your Name (edit)3:202Bayou Maharajah4:413(I Could Only) Whisper Your Name (LP version)4:524Funky Dunky6:24" for the soundtrack of The Mask, starring Jim Carrey, which is his most successful single in the United States to date.
Connick took his funk music on a tour of the United Kingdom in 1994, an effort that did not please some of his fans, who were expecting a jazz crooner. Connick also went on a tour of China in 1995, playing at the Shanghai Center Theatre. The performance was televised live in China for what became known as the Shanghai Gumbo special. In his third film Copycat (1995), Connick played a serial killer who terrorizes a psychiatrist (played by Sigourney Weaver). The following year, he released his second funk album, Star Turtle×Star Turtle2 July 1996 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Star Turtle 14:352How Do Ya'll Know4:553Hear Me in the Harmony4:464Reason to Believe4:515Just Like Me4:466Star Turtle 22:277Little Farley6:058Eyes of the Seeker4:529Nobody Like You to Me3:4310Boozehound5:1411Star Turtle 32:1012Never Young5:2613Mind on the Matter4:0914City Beneath the Sea5:5915Star Turtle 41:43, which did not sell as well as previous albums, although it did reach No. 38 on the charts. However, he appeared in the most successful movie of 1996, Independence Day, with Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum.

Late 1990s: Jazz and Hope Floats

For his 1997 release To See You, Connick recorded original love songs, touring the United States and Europe with a full symphony orchestra backing him and his piano in each city. As part of his tour, he played at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway, with his final concert of that tour in Paris being recorded for a Valentine's Day special on PBS in 1998. He also continued his film career, starring in Excess Baggage (1997) opposite Alicia Silverstone and Benicio del Toro.
In May 1998, he had his first leading role in director Forest Whitaker's Hope Floats, with Sandra Bullock being the female lead. In 1999 he released Come By Me, his first album of big band music in eight years, and embarked on a world tour, visiting the United States, Europe, Japan, and Australia. In addition, he provided the voice of Dean McCoppin in the animated film The Iron Giant.

2000–2002: Broadway debut, musicals, Will & Grace

Connick wrote the score for Susan Stroman's Broadway musical Thou Shalt Not, based on Émile Zola's novel Thérèse Raquin. The play premiered in 2001. His music and lyrics earned him a Tony Award nomination. He was also the narrator of the film My Dog Skip, released in that year.
In March 2001, Connick starred in a television production of South Pacific with Glenn Close; it was televised on the ABC network. He also starred in Mickey, a movie; John Grisham wrote the screenplay. In October 2001, he released two albums: Songs I Heard×Songs I Heard19 October 2001 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious4:302The Lonely Goatherd3:203Ding‐Dong! The Witch Is Dead2:074Maybe3:495Pure Imagination / Candy Man4:216Golden Ticket / I Want It Now3:507Oompa Loompa3:468A Spoonful of Sugar5:159Stay Awake2:4110Something Was Missing4:1611You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile2:5712Over the Rainbow4:1513The Jitterbug3:4014Merry Old Land of Oz2:5115Edelweiss2:2716Do‐Re‐Mi4:15, featuring big band re-workings of children's show themes, and 30, featuring Connick on piano with guest appearances by several musical artists. Songs I Heard won Connick a Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Album; he toured performing songs from the album, holding matinees. At the performances each parent in attendance had to be accompanied by a child.
In 2002, he received a U.S. patent 6,348,648 for a "system and method for coordinating music display among players in an orchestra." Connick appeared as Grace Adler's boyfriend and later husband, Leo Markus on the NBC sitcom Will & Grace from 2002 to 2006.

2003–2005: Connick on Piano and Only You

In July 2003, Connick released his first instrumental album in fifteen years, Other Hours Connick on Piano Volume 1. It was released on Branford Marsalis' new label Marsalis Music leading to a short tour of nightclubs and small theaters. Connick appeared in the film Basic. In October 2003, he released his second Christmas album, Harry for the Holidays×Harry for the Holidays28 October 2003 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Frosty the Snowman3:352Blue Christmas3:233The Christmas Waltz3:184I Wonder as I Wander3:075Silver Bells3:586Mary's Little Boy Child5:107Santa Claus Is Coming to Town3:568The Happy Elf3:429I'll Be Home for Christmas5:5710I Come With Love4:4211Nature Boy3:4912O Little Town of Bethlehem3:2513I'm Gonna Be the First One3:2714This Christmas3:4715Nothin' New for New Year4:0816Silent Night4:54; it went gold and reached No. 12 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. He also had a television special on NBC featuring Whoopi Goldberg, Nathan Lane, Marc Anthony, and Kim Burrell. Only You, his seventeenth album for Columbia Records, was released in February 2004. A collection of 1950s and 1960s ballads, Only You, was in the Top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic and was certified gold in the United States in March 2004. The Only You big band toured the U.S. and Australia, with a few stops in Asia. Harry for the Holidays was certified platinum in November 2004.
A music DVD Harry Connick Jr.‍—‌"Only You×Only You3 February 2004 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1More4:132The Very Thought of You3:403Save the Last Dance for Me4:504My Blue Heaven3:175You Don't Know Me4:046All These Things4:417For Once in My Life3:578Only You4:449My Prayer4:1110Other Hours4:0111I Only Have Eyes for You4:1412Good Night My Love (Pleasant Dreams)4:35" in Concert was released in March 2004, after it had first aired as a Great Performances special on PBS. The special won him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Direction. The DVD received a Gold & Platinum Music Video‍—‌Long Form awards from the RIAA in November 2005.
An animated holiday special, The Happy Elf aired on NBC in December 2005; Connick was the composer, the narrator, and one of the executive producers. The show was released on DVD soon after. The holiday special was based on his original song The Happy Elf from his 2003 album Harry for the Holidays. Another album from Marsalis Music was recorded in 2005, Occasion : Connick on Piano, Volume 2, a duo album with Harry Connick Jr. on piano and Branford Marsalis on saxophone. A music DVD, A Duo Occasion was filmed at the Ottawa International Jazz Festival 2005 in Canada; it was released in November 2005.
He appeared in another episode of the Will & Grace sitcom in November 2005, he was in three more episodes in 2006.

2006–2008: The Pajama Game, Bug, and P.S. I Love You

Bug, a film directed by William Friedkin, is a psychological thriller filmed in 2005 starring Connick, Ashley Judd, and Michael Shannon. The film was released in 2007. He starred in the Broadway revival of The Pajama Game, produced by the Roundabout Theater Company, along with Michael McKean and Kelli O'Hara, at the American Airlines Theatre in 2006. It ran from February 23 to June 17, 2006; five benefit performances ran rom June 13 to 17. Connick's performance was highly acclaimed; David Rooney wrote in Variety, "With his handsome wholesomeness and those mellifluous Sinatra-esque pipes, it's hard to imagine a leading man more tailor-made for this 1954 show." The Pajama Game cast recording was nominated for a Grammy, after being released as part of Connick's double disc album Harry on Broadway, Act I×Harry on Broadway, Act I9 May 2006 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 36 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Overture2:252Racing With the Clock2:503A New Town Is a Blue Town2:524I'm Not at All in Love4:075I'll Never Be Jealous Again4:266Hey There4:027Sleep Tite0:428Her Is2:459Once a Year Day4:3910Once a Year Day Playoff0:5011Her Is (reprise)1:3912Small Talk3:2313There Once Was a Man3:3314Factory Music / Slow Down0:5715Hey There (reprise)1:2416Steam Heat4:5017The World Around Us2:3318Hey There (reprise) / If You Win You Lose3:2719Think of the Time I Save2:4020Hernando's Hideaway8:0521The Three of Us2:3522Seven-And-A-Half Cents4:3623There Once Was a Man (reprise)0:5124Hernando's Jive0:5425The Pajama Game2:59Disc 21Oh, My Dear (Something's Gone Wrong)4:182Can't We Tell3:593Such Love5:474I Like Love More3:055My Little World4:296All Things2:227I Need to Be in Love4:298Oh! Ain't That Sweet3:599The Other Hours3:4810Take Advantage4:4411Take Her to the Mardi Gras3:45.
He hosted The Weather Channel's miniseries 100 Biggest Weather Moments which aired in 2007. He was part of the documentary Note by Note: The Making of Steinway L1037, released in November 2007. He sat in playing piano on Bob French's 2007 album Marsalis Music Honors Series: Bob French. He appeared in the film P.S. I Love You, released in December 2007.
The third album in the Connick on Piano series, Chanson du Vieux Carré was released in 2007, and Connick received two Grammy nominations for the track "Ash Wednesday" for the Grammy awards in 2008. Chanson du Vieux Carré was released simultaneously with the album Oh, My NOLA×Oh, My NOLA30 January 2007 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Working in the Coal Mine3:392Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey3:583Something You Got3:264Let Them Talk5:035Jambalaya (On the Bayou)3:416Careless Love4:167All These People4:148Yes We Can Can4:329Someday2:4010Oh, My NOLA3:5911Elijah Rock4:4512Sheik of Araby4:5913Lazy Bones3:5014We Make a Lot of Love3:3115Hello Dolly4:2616Do Dat Thing5:33. He toured North America and Europe in 2007, and toured Asia and Australia in 2008 as part of his My New Orleans Tour. Connick wrote two songs and did the arrangements for Kelli O'Hara's album which was released in May 2008; he also sang a duet on the recording. He was the featured singer at the Concert of Hope immediately preceding Pope Benedict XVI's mass at Yankee Stadium in April 2008. He had the starring role of Dr. Dennis Slamon in the Lifetime television film Living Proof (2008). His third Christmas album, What a Night!, was released in November 2008.
Connick has a vast knowledge of musical genres and vocalists, even gospel music. One of his favorite gospel artists is Stellar Award winner and Grammy nominated artist Kim Burrell of Houston. Chris Gray of the Houston Press said, "... when Harry Connick Jr. assembled a symphony orchestra for Pope Benedict XVI's appearance at Yankee Stadium in 2008, he wanted Burrell on vocals"

2009–2011: New in Town and Your Songs

The film New in Town starring Connick and Renée Zellweger began filming in January 2008; it was released in January 2009. Connick's album Your Songs×Your Songs22 September 2009 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1All the Way3:342Just the Way You Are3:483Can't Help Falling in Love With You3:164And I Love Her3:135(They long to Be) Close to You3:166Besame Mucho (Kiss Me Much)4:127The Way You Look Tonight3:468First Time Ever I Saw Your Face3:249Your Song3:3510Some Enchanted Evening4:0811And I Love You So3:3012Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)3:5213Smile3:1114Mona Lisa3:05 was released on CD, September 22, 2009. In contrast to Connick's previous albums, this album is a collaboration with a record company producer, the multiple Grammy Award winning music executive Clive Davis.
Connick starred in the Broadway revival of On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, which opened at the St. James Theatre in November 2011 in previews. It closed in January 2012, after 29 previews and 57 performances.
Connick appeared on the May 4, 2010, episode of American Idol season 9, where he acted as a mentor for the top 5 finalists. He appeared again the next night on May 5 to perform "And I Love Her". In 2011, he appeared in the family film Dolphin Tale as Dr. Clay Haskett and in its 2014 sequel.

2012–2019: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Harry, and Every Man Should Know

On January 6, 2012, NBC president Robert Greenblatt announced at the Television Critics Association winter press tour that Connick had been cast in a four-episode arc of NBC's long-running legal drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as new Executive ADA David Haden, a prosecutor who is assigned a case with Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay).
On June 11, 2013, Connick released a new album of all original music titled Every Man Should Know×Every Man Should Know7 June 2013 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Every Man Should Know3:442One Fine Thing3:403I Love Her3:584Greatest Love Story3:145Come See About Me4:186Friend (Goin’ Home)3:397Being Alone3:478Love My Life Away3:439You’ve Got It3:5110Let Me Stay3:5611S’pposed to Be3:3712Time to Go4:0813I’m Thinking of You4:0314You Love Me3:47. Connick debuted the title track live on the May 2, 2013, episode of American Idol and appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show the following week to discuss his new project. A 2013 US summer tour was announced in support of the album.
Connick returned to American Idol to mentor the top four of season 12. He performed "Every Man Should Know" on the results show the following night. Connick was on the judging panel for seasons 13, 14 and 15 of American Idol, airing in 2014 to 2016.
Angels Sing, a family Christmas movie released in November 2013 by Lionsgate, afforded Connick an onscreen collaboration with fellow musician Willie Nelson. The two wrote a special song exclusively for the movie. Shot in Austin, Texas, Angels Sing features actor/musicians Connie Britton, Lyle Lovett, and Kris Kristofferson and is directed by Tim McCanlies, who previously worked with Connick in The Iron Giant.
A one-hour weekday daytime talk show starring Connick called Harry debuted on September 12, 2016. The series ran until May 23, 2018. Connick was nominated for a Daytime Emmy as Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host for both years of the show.
In January 2019, it was announced that Connick was hired by piano instruction software company Playground Sessions as a video instructor.
On October 25, 2019, he released a new album of Cole Porter compositions rearranged by Connick himself, including "Anything Goes" and "You Do Something To Me." After selecting the songs, and writing and orchestrating the arrangements, he assembled and conducted the orchestra, which features his longtime touring band with additional horns and a full string section. Along with his album, Connick announced his return to Broadway on September 16, 2019, with Harry Connick Jr. — A Celebration of Cole Porter, a multimedia celebration of the Cole Porter songbook. The production was conceived and directed by Connick with the addition of theatrical and film elements accompanied by a company of dancers and an onstage orchestra. The production was revved for a five-day special presentation at the Metropolitan Opera House in January 2025.

2020–present: Alone with My Faith and Annie

Connick released his new album Alone with My Faith×Alone With My Faith19 March 2021 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Alone With My Faith5:552Because He Lives3:333Be Not Afraid4:194Benevolent Man3:435Amazing Grace4:526The Old Rugged Cross5:507How Great Thou Art3:588God And My Gospel5:349Old Time Religion4:0310All These Miracles4:2811Look Who I Found3:4712Thank You For Waiting (For Me)4:5413Panis Angelicus2:48 on March 19, 2021. Connick retreated to his home studio during the COVID-19 lockdowns and emerged with an album of new music. He arranged all of the songs, played every instrument, and sang every part. In addition to the familiar, traditional songs, Connick wrote and recorded new tracks that tell the story of his experience coping during lockdown and feeling the full spectrum of emotions that came with it. Both the album cover and the music videos for "Amazing Grace" and "Alone With My Faith" were conceived and directed by Harry's daughter Georgia Connick. Alone With My Faith earned Connick his 16th career GRAMMY nomination for Best Roots Gospel Album as part of the 64th annual GRAMMY awards.
Connick joined the cast of Annie Live! as Sir Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks – opposite Taraji P. Henson's devious Miss Hannigan. The live production aired December 2, 2021, on NBC and also coincided with the release of the Annie Live! Cast Album – the original soundtrack of the NBC television event.
Connick Jr. was a judge in the 2023 revival of Australian Idol and the Australian version of The Piano, released in 2025. He starred as the main character John Allman in the 2024 Netflix film Find Me Falling.
Connick made his Carnegie Hall debut on May 22 and 23, 2026, with a performance of his symphonic composition, Babe: Elaboratio. The work is dedicated to his mother, who was nicknamed "Babe" and whose 100th birthday on that day he commemorated. Connick played the piano part, accompanied by Orchestra Victoria from Melbourne, conducted by Australian Jessica Gethin. B–A–B–E are the opening notes of the work. Connick also wrote an accompanying book, and a recording was released by Warner Classics; a documentary is to be released in 2027 with his three daughters' involvement – directed by Georgia, photography by Kate, Charlotte as associate producer.

Touring Big Band members

The following musicians have toured as the Harry Connick Jr. Big Band since its inception in 1990:

Piano and vocals – Harry Connick Jr.
Drums – Shannon Powell, Duffy Jackson, Arthur Latin II (Winard Harper, Jeff "Tain" Watts – subs)
Bass – Ben Wolfe, Neal Caine
Guitar – Jonathan Dubose Jr., Evan Vidar (Bryan Sutton – subs)
Piano, Keyboards – Harry Connick Jr., Howard Kaplan, Jonathan Batiste
Lead trumpet – Roger Ingram (Dave Stahl, Walter White, Walt Johnson – subs)
2nd trumpet – Dan Miller, Derrick Gardner, Bijon Watson, Sal Cracchiolo (Earl Gardner, Greg Gisbert, Darryl Shaw – subs)
3rd trumpet – Jeremy Davenport, Joe Magnarelli, Mark Braud
4th trumpet – Leroy Jones, Mark Braud
Lead alto saxophone – Brad Leali, Mike Smith, Jon Gordon, Ned Goold, Geoff Burke
2nd alto saxophone – Mark Sterbank, Will Campbell, Ned Goold
1st tenor saxophone – Jerry Weldon (Geoff Burke – sub)
2nd tenor saxophone – Jimmy Greene, Ned Goold
Baritone saxophone – Dave Schumacher (Howard Johnson – sub)
Clarinet – Louis Ford
Lead trombone – Mark Mullins, John Allred, Jeff Bush
2nd trombone – Craig Klein, John Allred
3rd trombone – Lucien Barbarin, Craig Klein
Bass trombone – Joe Barati
Vocals – Jonathan Dubose Jr., Jonathan Batiste (The Honolulu Heartbreakers – subs)

Connick and New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina

Connick, a New Orleans native, is a founder of the Krewe of Orpheus, which is a music-based New Orleans krewe. Its name is derived from Orpheus of classical mythology. The Krewe of Orpheus has parades on St. Charles Avenue and Canal Street in New Orleans on Lundi Gras (Fat Monday)‍—‌, which is the day before Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday).
On September 2, 2005, Connick helped organize and appeared in the NBC-sponsored live telethon concert, A Concert for Hurricane Relief, for relief in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. He spent several days touring the city to draw attention to the plight of citizens stranded at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and other places. At the concert he paired with host Matt Lauer and entertainers including Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Kanye West, Mike Myers, and John Goodman.
On September 6, 2005, Connick was made the honorary chair of Habitat for Humanity's Operation Home Delivery, a long-term rebuilding plan for families who survived Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast. His actions in New Orleans earned him a Jefferson Award for Public Service.
Connick's album Oh, My NOLA×Oh, My NOLA30 January 2007 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracks1Working in the Coal Mine3:392Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey3:583Something You Got3:264Let Them Talk5:035Jambalaya (On the Bayou)3:416Careless Love4:167All These People4:148Yes We Can Can4:329Someday2:4010Oh, My NOLA3:5911Elijah Rock4:4512Sheik of Araby4:5913Lazy Bones3:5014We Make a Lot of Love3:3115Hello Dolly4:2616Do Dat Thing5:33, and Chanson du Vieux Carré were released in 2007; a tour called the My New Orleans Tour followed.

Musicians' Village

Connick and Branford Marsalis devised an initiative to help restore New Orleans' musical heritage. Habitat for Humanity and New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity, working with Connick and Marsalis, announced on December 6, 2005, plans for a Musicians' Village in New Orleans. The village includes Habitat-constructed homes with the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music as the area's centerpiece. The Habitat-built homes provide musicians, and anyone else who qualifies, the opportunity to buy decent, affordable housing.
In 2012, Connick and Marsalis received the S. Roger Horchow Award for Greatest Public Service by a Private Citizen, an award given annually by Jefferson Awards.

Personal life

Connick married former Victoria's Secret model Jill Goodacre, the daughter of sculptor Glenna Goodacre, at New Orleans' St. Louis Cathedral on April 16, 1994. The song "Jill" from his album Blue Light, Red Light×Blue Light, Red Light17 October 1991 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Blue Light, Red Light (Someone’s There)3:312A Blessing and a Curse3:063You Didn’t Know Me When3:134Jill6:135He Is They Are4:156With Imagination (I’ll Get There)5:017If I Could Give You More4:508The Last Payday7:179It’s Time6:3810She Belongs to Me3:5711Sonny Cried5:4712Just Kiss Me4:54 (1991) is about her. They have three daughters named Georgia (born 1996), Sarah (born 1997), and Charlotte (born 2002). The family previously lived in both New Orleans and New Canaan, Connecticut. Connick briefly relocated his family to Sydney while he worked on Australian Idol in 2023, and all three of his daughters opted to remain there instead of returning to the U.S. with their parents when his work finished.
In December 1992, Connick was arrested by New York's Port Authority Police and charged with possessing a 9 mm pistol at JFK International Airport. After spending the day in jail, he agreed to record a video public service announcement warning against carrying a pistol in New York City without a license. The court agreed to drop all charges if he stayed out of trouble for six months.
Connick is a practicing Catholic, though he also identifies with his Jewish heritage. As a Louisiana native of mixed Irish Catholic and Jewish descent, he has also been described as a Creole. He is a supporter of his hometown NFL team, the New Orleans Saints. He was caught on camera in 2010 at Super Bowl XLIV, which the Saints won, by the television crew of The Ellen DeGeneres Show during the post-game celebrations. DeGeneres' mother Betty was on the sidelines watching the festivities when she spotted Connick in the stands sporting a Drew Brees jersey.
Connick wrote his daughter Sarah's debut song "A Lot Like Me" in 2011, which she released under the name Kate Connick, using her middle name professionally. The song was released to celebrate the debut of American Girl's newest historical characters Cecile Rey and Marie Grace Gardner. The proceeds from the song went to the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music.

Broadway

1990 An Evening with Harry Connick Jr. and His Orchestra (special, concert)
2001 Thou Shalt Not (Broadway Musical)‍—‌composer
2006 The Pajama Game (Broadway Musical)
2010 Harry Connick Jr.: In Concert on Broadway (special, concert)
2011 On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (Broadway Musical)
2019 Harry Connick, Jr. – A Celebration of Cole Porter (special, concert)