Connick learned the play the piano at three, performed live by the age of five and recorded music with a local jazz band aged 10, which really set the scene for Connick’s significant music and acting career. The singer studied at the New Orleans Centre for the Creative Arts under Ellis Marsalis and James Booker, and later at Hunter College and the Manhattan School of Music in New York, U.S.
Connick hit the big time with his soundtrack for the film “When Harry Met Sally”, which achieved double-platinum status and gave the singer a celebrity status. He used his fame to land a role in the 1990’s film “Memphis Belle” and in the same year released the well-received instrumental jazz album “Lofty’s Roach Souffle” and the more pop accessible “We Are in Love”. The singer released a string of platinum selling albums throughout the 1990s including “25” in 1992, his best-ever selling album “When My Heart Finds Christmas” in 1993 and “She. Connick” in 1994. In the mean time his acting career continued to prosper with film roles in Copycat and Independence Day and got his first leading role in 1998’s Hope Floats with Sandra Bullock.
After the comparative flop of his album “Star Turtle” aimed at pop audiences, Connick returned to the Sinatra swing sound with his 1999 album “Come by Me”, which would go on to define his music exploration of the new millennium.
Connick won a Tony award for his musical composition for Susan Stroman’s Broadway musical “Thou Shalt Not” in 2001, and the same year was narrator of the film “My Dog Skip”, which shows the versatile character of Connick’s interests. After this time the singer released albums on both Columbia Records and saxophonist Branford Marsalis’ Marsalis Music label, including the big-band swing album “Only You” and the instrumental “Other Hours: Connick on Piano, Vol. 1” (2003) and “Occasion: Connick on Piano, Vol. 2” (2005).
The actor is also recognisable for his role on the TV sitcom “Will & Grace” where he played Grace’s husband Dr. Leo Markus until the show’s end in 2006.
Connick was heavily involved in the support of victims of hurricane Katrina and hosted a NBC special to raise money and highlight the huge issue. “Oh, My Nola” a New Orleans tribute album appeared in 2007, along with “Chanson du Vieux Carré” of a similar ilk. The singer’s third holiday album “What a Night! A Christmas Album” appeared in 2008 and a contemporary swing take on a set of American classics entitled “Your Songs” was issued in 2009.
In 2013 Connick released the funk-inspired album “Smokey Mary” and “Every Man Should Know”, a collection of all original songs. Connick has had an illustrious career that goes from strength to strength; he has sold over 16 million records, has had seven Top 20 singles, won three Grammy Awards, two Emmy Awards and a string of successful Broadway appearances.
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Charli XCX
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