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Jazz Singer Chris Connor Dies at 81

Famed jazz singer Chris Connor, one of the first white female jazz singers signed to Atlantic Records in the '50s, lost her battle with cancer Saturday. She was 81.

Connor, born Mary Loutsenhizer in Kansas City, Mo., on Nov. 8, 1927, grew up playing clarinet before transitioning into singing in her teens. Never having taken a singing lesson in her life -- "I like a natural singer better," she told the Buffalo News in 1996 -- Connor moved to New York City and worked as one of the back-up singers in the Claude Thornhill Orchestra in the late '40s. Drawing comparison to jazz greats Anita O'Day and June Christy, Connor -- known for her deep, smokey and restrained voice -- would follow both singers' footsteps by joining the Stan Kenton big band. Tired of the extensive touring, she left after less than a year and started her own successful solo career.

At 26 years old, Connor released her first solo album, 'Chris Connor Sings Lullabys of Birdland,' in 1953. In a departure from the big band style she had made a name for herself with, she relied on smaller jazz trios and quartets to create more intimacy between her and the audience. Connor eventually caught the ears of Atlantic Records, for whom she would release 12 albums. Her mid-'50s heyday was marked by the two chart hits -- 'I Miss You So' and 'Trust in Me.' However, in jazz circles she is best remembered for her tune 'All About Ronnie,' which appeared on her 1954 album 'Chris.'

After parting ways with Atlantic, Connor was never able to regain the steam of her career at its peak, though she would go on to record and tour until 2003. Her last public performance was in 2004 at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City.

Connor is survived by her longtime partner and manager, Lori Muscarelle, and a nephew. Funeral services will be privately held.

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Jiim Blokzyl

It was in Seattle and as my date and I walked in the door, I commented, "I didn't know that June Christy was back with Kenton's band". Walking around the corner, I Chris Connor for the first time and she has mesmerized me ever since. It really hurt to hear of her passing.

March 11 2010 at 12:54 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
j

A great loss but will never be forgotten. One of the best (if not the best) jazz singers of all time. Along with June Christie and Ella Fitzgerald, Chris Connor is at the very top of the list. You listned to her with your heart.

September 06 2009 at 2:04 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
obscurepoet

I have her autograph from when she played at Pete's Poop Deck in Seattle way back in the early 60s. Just loved her!

September 06 2009 at 12:46 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mike Levin

I am profoundly saddened about Chris' passing. I have her recordings as one of the few singers who I followed from a college age youngster through my present years. Her natural throaty voice, filled with longing and affection, accompanied by modern jazz musicians just made my boyhood special.
I listened to her sing in concert at City College of New York (CCNY)in the summer of 1955 and was so taken with her that I remained a fan for the rest of my life.
I will always miss her.

September 05 2009 at 10:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dan hunter

oh, thank God it's over....the way she just kept on going on and on abou this and that....may her soul rest in peace.....far away from the rest of me, myself, and I, someone should fing a better place to place a photo of her or at least her album cover......so what's for lunch! It never stops amazing me how ignorant you people are as bad as nick cage bill thorton or matt mcounaghy.....or something

September 05 2009 at 6:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Dan hunter's comment
ora-cita

Why are we surprised when the spirits of entertainers leave their bodies and transition somewhere else? We all have to leave our bodies someday.
Her "All About Ronnie" could really take you to another place. In my twenties I enjoyed her music and that of the smokey-voiced ones.
I hope she had a relationship with God and may her spirit rest in peace.

September 05 2009 at 10:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
robert t armstrong

I always considered Chris underrated. If you want to hear a real smoky ballad in that husky voice listen to "Here Lies Love" from her album "Chris Craft". Haunting!

September 05 2009 at 4:33 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
DICK

VERY FEW COULD SING IN FRONT OF THE 'STAN KENTON' BAND. AND SHE WAS ONE OF THE BEST-----WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER 'ALL ABOUT RONNIE'.......

September 05 2009 at 4:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Babbs

What a loss to all of us who enjoyed her soothing yet exciting performances in person. Saw her the first time in LA at the Playboy Club and followed her from then on...just couldn't get enough of her sound and presence.

September 05 2009 at 4:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
daveblues

We keep losing the great ones. This one hurts parti`cularly.

Good bye, Chris, you will be missed.

September 02 2009 at 3:38 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Forrest Draper

As Rosemary Clooney's drummer, starting with the Tony Pastor Orch. in 47,and 150 records later with the 4 Lads, Guy Mitchell, Johnny Ray, Bobby Darin, Kitty Kallen, I have met and heard all the greats. This one will be surely missed. Another great voice from the 40's hits the dust. So her for the first time at Storyville in Boston. bigbanddrummer1@gmail.com

September 02 2009 at 3:02 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply