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Harry Connick Jr. Revives the Spirit of Mardi Gras and Sammy Davis Jr. 'On Broadway'

Harry Connick Jr.AFP / Getty Images

The indefatigable Harry Connick Jr. has just released CD and DVD versions of 'In Concert on Broadway,' from his 15-day run at the Neil Simon Theatre in New York this past July. Connick, who will return to Broadway this fall in 'On a Clear Day You Can See Forever,' will also star with Morgan Freeman in the feature film 'Dolphin Tale,' out in September. He'll bring his Broadway concert to Boston for a five-day run at the Colonial Theater April 26-30.

Was it important to you to make the Krewe of Orpheus, your parade club, an all-inclusive Mardi Gras krewe?

You know how it is, man. It was mostly white. There was one black parade, and one women's parade. I don't have a problem with these club parades -- whether they're all Jewish or all Catholic or whatever. That don't make no difference to me. What bugs me is when there's no opportunity for anything else. That's why I started Orpheus. I thought in a town as multicultural as New Orleans there should be some representation of that in something as socially significant as Mardi Gras.

You're so busy all the time -- you put this record and DVD out, and people are talking about how Harry's going to be on Broadway again. Does it feel like the record releases get lost in the shuffle sometimes?

Well, yes and no. It's kind of a coincidence that it all happens at once. I have a great record company. Whatever they ask, I'm always game. If they decide to release it now, I'll do it. That's not really my department. As far as the record getting overshadowed, I think it all kinda plays into itself. It's all essentially me, so I don't know how detrimental to the numbers it will be, whether it will help or hurt.

It's the Harry Connick brand, basically.

I guess so, man. Fortunately there's people who talk about that stuff, and I don't have to be one of them.

Watch Harry Connick Jr.'s Live 'Take Her to the Mardi Gras' Video

There's a beautiful 11-minute version of 'Besame Mucho' right near the beginning of the show.

You gotta make decisions. The center of what I do is playing piano. If that means we cut off a couple vocal tunes, that's fine with me. This CD is about what I do in the live show. Screw it, man, you just do what you gotta do!

Does your record label, Columbia, ever ask you to slow down? Or do they push you to keep it coming?

I usually wait for their cue. If I had my way, I'd just record music all the time. I get the idea of oversaturating the market. I just record when they say, "Hey, it's time for another record." My creative energy's always on.

I'm reading Sammy Davis Jr.'s autobiography, and I'm curious whether you've actually studied the Rat Pack guys.

I never really was into that. To me, he's the greatest entertainer who ever lived, all-around. As far as who can put on the best show, absolutely, he was by far number one. I met Sammy when I was a kid, so the mystique of it all.... I don't know, man. I hung out with a lot of those folks when I was a kid. Maybe that's why I don't really read a lot of that stuff.

How are things going with Musicians' Village in New Orleans?

They're going great. It's all occupied, and we opened the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music in August. There's 80 houses. We're gonna try to get more built -- it's just a matter of when and where -- but that particular project is done. Anybody could apply, but we wanted to make sure musicians knew about it quickly so they knew they'd have place to go, and it worked out that way.

There was some talk about you being a candidate as an 'American Idol' judge. You have so much going on all time, when it didn't work out, you just brushed it off.

Yeah, and I think they made the right choice. For what that show is, a competition for pop singers, you've got two pop singers. And I think they're doing a phenomenal job.

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Jess

Harry Connick Jr. @ Mizner Park Amphitheater tickets available now! This will be a great concert! :)

April 05 2011 at 4:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
EverDenim

Just to make it clear, someone posted right after me, and they copied my last sentence, then proceeded with some kind of advertisement. It wasn't me! I am going to report them.

March 14 2011 at 3:25 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Justin

Harry Connick Jr. keeps getting more and more Connicky by the day. Maybe if he's lucky, one day he'll be as Connicky as his dad is. Keep on Connicking!

March 14 2011 at 12:56 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Delma

Love Harry, but the greatest entertainer of all time was Mr. Louis Armstrong

March 13 2011 at 10:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bingbing

I agree with you point.please share more good article for us.

March 13 2011 at 10:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
dzxasw

I just saw him perform on a PBS special recently. It was amazing, and he was greatI am a 27 years old doctor, mature and beautiful.and now I am
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March 13 2011 at 9:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
EverDenim

Man, I've always been a Harry Connick, Jr. fan. I first saw him "Memphis Belle." He also sang the theme (It Had to be You) of "When Harry Met Sally." Years ago, he acted and sang in a TV version of "South Pacific." Harry was awesome in that. He was also cool in a Sandra Bullock movie, "Hope Floats." I'm glad that he keeps on going and is still busy with his craft. It's ironic that Harry said he was never into following the Rat Pack, because I always thought he had a Frank Sinatra sound and style, which I think is very cool. I just saw him perform on a PBS special recently. It was amazing, and he was great.

March 13 2011 at 5:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
cozymoon72

Sorry but the CORRECT answer to who is best would be
MICHAEL BUBLE.
He is better than all the rest.

March 13 2011 at 5:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Warrena

Never knew Harry Conick Jr. Only saw him on Will and Grace. Now he is asking for money???? Hello how many charities do you give to before you become a charity yourself?

March 13 2011 at 4:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to Warrena's comment