Chris Connor discographyStudio albums 37 Live albums 2 Compilation albums 6 Singles 24 Other contributions 22
This is the discography of singer Chris Connor . Connor recorded approximately 42 albums and several singles between the years 1949 and 2003. This discography lists all known first-release EPs , LPs and CDs released by the singer, and includes some live recordings released on CD containing her 1950s radio performances.
[ edit ] Chris Connor moved to New York in 1949 and secured a job as a big band singer, working with Claude Thornhill and his vocal group The Snowflakes. Connor toured with Thornhill off and on until 1952, when she joined the Jerry Wald Orchestra. After a brief period with Wald, she landed her dream job as a replacement for June Christy in Stan Kenton 's orchestra. Including an alternate recording of All About Ronnie , Chris Connor only recorded 8 songs in the Capitol Records studio with Kenton's band. After non-stop touring in the United States and performing live on radio, she left the Kenton band in late 1953 to establish herself as a solo performer.
[ edit ]
Recorded
Location
Album title
Orchestra
Label
Format
Catalogue No.
Issued
# of Connor Songs
Titles
10/1952
Statler Hotel, NYC
The Great Ladies on V-Disc, Vol. 3 Claude Thornhill Dan Records (Japan)
LP
VC-5016
1979
4
Come Rain or Come Shine
Sorta Kinda
Wish You Were Here
Who Are We to Say
Tokuma Records (Japan)
CD
TKCF-77076
2001
4
CD version contains the same tracks as listed on above LP.
2/19/1953
National Guard Armory, Eugene, OR
Stan Kenton: Eugene Armory (Part 1) Stan Kenton Magic/Submarine (England)
CD
796
2009
5
Jeepers Creepers
If I Should Lose You
September in the Rain
I'll Remember April
Taking a Chance on Love
Stan Kenton: Eugene Armory (Part 2) Stan Kenton Magic/Submarine (England)
CD
799
2009
4
Don't Worry About Me
Tenderly
There Will Never Be Another You
Lullaby In Rhythm
Stan Kenton: Eugene Armory (Part 3) Stan Kenton Magic/Submarine (England)
CD
802
2010
5
Jeepers Creepers
Darn That Dream
You're Mine You
I Only Have Eyes For You
Everything Happens To Me
3/17/53
Trianon Ballroom, Oklahoma City, OK
Stan Kenton: Concert In Miniature (Episodes 38 & 39) Stan Kenton Vintage Radio Classics
CD
54365
2007
1
3/27/53-4/9/53
Blue Note, Chicago, IL
Stan Kenton: Concert Encores (Episodes 9 & 10) Stan Kenton Vintage Radio Classics
CD
54465
2007
2
Don't Worry About Me
I'll Remember April
In True '52 Stereo: Direct from the Famous Blue Note Jazz Club Stan Kenton Dynaflow
CD
DNYF-2007-1
2007
2
Jeepers Creepers
I'll Remember April
Stan Kenton: Concert Encores (Episodes 11 & 12) Stan Kenton Vintage Radio Classics
CD
54466
2007
1
4/22/53-5/6/53
Birdland Club, NYC
Stan Kenton: Live Birdland Encores Stan Kenton Mr. Music
CD
MMCD-9002
2011
2
If I Should Lose You
Taking A Chance On Love
Stan Kenton: The 1950s Birdland Broadcasts Stan Kenton Jazz Band (England)
CD
EBCD-2132-5
1998
4
Jeepers Creepers
Taking A Chance On Love
Love Me Or Leave Me
If I Should Lose You
Concert In Miniature Encores: 23 Degrees North, 82 Degrees West Stan Kenton Natasha Imports
CD
NI-4006
1992
2
There Will Never Be Another You
I'll Remember April
5/12/53
Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MD
Stan Kenton: Concert in Miniature (Episodes 44 & 45) Stan Kenton Vintage Radio Classics
CD
54368
2007
1
[ edit ] Chris Connor recorded around 38 sides for the Bethlehem Records label between December 1953 and April 1955. Connor was the first vocalist signed to the new label, and her dual 10" LPs Sings Lullabys of Birdland and Sings Lullabys For Lovers were the first albums ever released by Bethlehem. Only one full length 12" LP was released during Chris' tenure there: the album This Is Chris (in 1955). Her other two Bethlehem albums were issued in 1957 (after she left the label).
Recorded
Album title
Format
Catalogue No.
Issued
1954
Chris Connor Sings Lullabys of Birdland 10" LP
BCP-1001
1954
Chris Connor Sings Lullabys For Lovers 10" LP
BCP-1002
1955
This Is Chris (AKA Cocktails and Dusk )LP
BCP-20
1955
Chris (AKA The Rich Sound of Chris Connor )LP
BCP-56
1957
Chris Connor Sings Lullabys of Birdland LP
BCP-6004
[ edit ]
Recorded
Title
Format
Catalogue No.
Issued
1953
Lullaby Of Birdland /Try A Little Tenderness 78 rpm BET-B1302
1954
45 rpm BET-B1302
Miser's Serenade/Blue Silhouette 78 rpm BET-1291
1954
Chiquita From Chi Wah-Wah/Ask Me 78 rpm BET-1293
1954
Try a Little Tenderness/What Is There to Say 45 rpm 11001
1954
1954
Chris Connor Sings Lullabys Of Birdland (Part 1) EP
BEP-101A
1954
Chris Connor Sings Lullabys Of Birdland (Part 2) EP
BEP-101B
Chris Connor Sings Lullabys For Lovers (Part 1) EP
BEP-102A
Chris Connor Sings Lullabys For Lovers (Part 2) EP
BEP-102B
1953
Chris (Part 1) EP
BEP-114
1955
1954–1955
Chris (Part 2) EP
BEP-127
1953–1955
Chris (Part 3) EP
BEP-130
1955
This Is Chris (Part 1) EP
BEP-126
This Is Chris (Part 2) EP
BEP-129
Chris Connor's longest (and most successful) association with a record label was at Atlantic Records . She began recording for Atlantic in 1956 and, over the course of seven years, released thirteen critically acclaimed and best-selling albums. Fans often consider this period the peak of Connor's career, as she had complete artistic control over both the songs and the musicians with whom she would work.
During the Atlantic period, Connor worked with many well-respected musicians in the industry, including Doc Severinsen , Jerry Wexler , Quincy Jones , Hank Jones , Rufus Jones , Nesuhi Ertegun , Osie Johnson , and Ronnie Ball . She also recorded many relatively unknown compositions during this time, including those of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller , Frank Loesser , Margo Guryan , Sy Coleman, Johnny Mercer , Harold Arlen , Bronislau Kaper , Peggy Lee , Ornette Coleman , Benny Goodman , Alex North , Ogden Nash and Bart Howard .
In April, 1960, Billboard Magazine announced that Connor would be awarded a gold record for the sale of 500,000 albums for the label .
Recorded
Album title
Format
Catalogue No.
Issued
Titles
1956
Chris Connor LP
ATL-1228
1956
I Get a Kick Out of You
Something to Live For
Get Out of Town
Where Are You
Anything Goes
When the Wind Was Green
He Was Too Good to Me
You Make Me Feel So Young
Ev'rytime
Way Out There
My April Heart
Almost Like Being in Love
He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not LP
ATL-1240/SD-1240
I Miss You So LP
ATL-8014/SD-8014
1957
1957
Chris Connor Sings The George Gershwin Almanac of Song LP
ATL-2-601
1956
A Jazz Date With Chris Connor LP
ATL-1286/SD-1286
1958
1958
Chris Connor LP
ATL-SD-1228
Chris Craft LP
ATL-1290/SD-1290
1959
Chris Connor Sings Ballads of the Sad Café LP
ATL-1307/SD-1307
1959
Witchcraft LP
ATL-8032/SD-8032
Chris In Person LP
ATL-8040/SD-8040
1960
A Portrait of Chris LP
ATL-8046/SD-8046
1960
Double Exposure Maynard Ferguson )LP
ATL-8049/SD-8049
1961
1961
Free Spirits LP
ATL-8061/SD-8061
1962
1956–1959
The Best of Chris Connor (Japan)LP
MJ-7020
1963
The Man I Love
Chinatown, My Chinatown
These Foolish Things
Senor Blues
Flying Home
Anything Goes
Moonlight In Vermont
Come Rain Or Come Shine
You Make Me Feel So Young
The Lady Sings The Blues
Where Flamingos Fly
They Can't Take That Away From Me
1958–1960
Misty (Japan)LP
P-6135A
1975
Senor Blues
Misty
Moon Ride
I Sold My Heart To The Junkman
Invitation
Under Paris Skies
I Heard A Bluebird
Flying Home
I Won't Cry Anymore
Circus
To Each His Own
Fortune Cookies
Long Hot Summer
(I'm Afraid) The Masquerade Is Over
1956–1961
The Best Of Chris Connor (Japan)CD
AMCY-1078
1991
All About Ronnie (1959 Recording)
I Hear The Music Now
Oh! You Crazy Moon
I'm Gonna Go Fishin'
These Foolish Things
Jump for Joy
Go 'Way From My Window
Hallelujah I Love Him So (1958 Recording)
I Won't Cry Anymore
I Miss You So
Bargain Day
Summertime
Witchcraft
He Was Too Good To Me
I Get A Kick Out Of You
[ edit ]
Recorded
Title
Format
Catalogue No.
Issued
Chart Peak
1956
Chris Connor EP
ATL-577
1956
Chris Connor (I Miss You So) EP
ATL-580
1957
1957
Chris Connor Sings The George Gershwin Almanac of Song (Part 1) EP
ATL-593
1957
Chris Connor Sings The George Gershwin Almanac of Song (Part 2) EP
ATL-594
1957
Chris Connor Sings The George Gershwin Almanac of Song (Part 3) EP
ATL-595
1957
Chris Connor Sings The George Gershwin Almanac of Song (Part 4) EP
ATL-596
1957
A Jazz Date With Chris Connor EP
ATL-615
1958
1958
Chris Craft EP
ATL-6??
1958
1959
Pop Goes Chris In "Witchcraft" EP
ATL-622
1959
Chris In Person EP
ATL-623
1960
1956
Past The Age Of Innocence/Go 'Way From My Window 45 rpm ATL-1097
1956
I Miss You So/My Heart Is So Full Of You 45 rpm ATL-1105
1956
#34
Time Out For Tears/I Love You, Yes I Do 45 rpm ATL-1121
1957
Trust In Me /Mixed Emotions 45 rpm ATL-1138
1957
#95
1958
Under Paris Skies /Moon Ride45 rpm ATL-1188
1958
Hallelujah I Love Him So /I Won't Cry Anymore45 rpm ATL-1198
1958
1959
Flying Home /Circus45 rpm ATL-2017
1959
Señor Blues/Misty 45 rpm ATL-2037
1959
1960
That's My Desire /I Only Want Some45 rpm ATL-2053
1960
Invitation /I Sold My Heart To The Junkman45 rpm ATL-2073
1960
1961
Summertime /The Lonesome Road Maynard Ferguson )45 rpm ATL-5014
1961
The Sweetest Sounds /Opportunity, Please Knock45 rpm ATL-5017
1961
Both Chris Connor and trumpeter Maynard Ferguson previously performed with the Stan Kenton band. In 1960, Atlantic Records made a special arrangement with Roulette Records , allowing Connor to record an album with Ferguson for their label (Ferguson was under contract with Roulette at the time). As part of the deal, he also recorded Double Exposure on Atlantic Records with Connor.
Between 1962 and 1963, Chris Connor's manager, Monte Kay convinced her to leave Atlantic Records to join his new record company, FM Records. This turned out to be a poor choice for Connor, since she no longer had the support of a big label to promote her music. Her first release with the label, Chris Connor at the Village Gate , failed to mirror the sales success of her previous Atlantic efforts (although it was critically acclaimed). Before her second release on FM, A Weekend in Paris , was even released, the FM label declared bankruptcy in 1964.
Recorded
Album title
Label
Format
Catalogue No.
Issued
1963
Chris Connor at the Village Gate, Early Show and Late Show FM Records
LP
FM-300/SFM-300
1963
A Weekend in Paris FM Records
LP
FM-312/SFM-312
1964
[ edit ] By the end of 1964, Connor became a free agent and secured a 2-album deal with ABC Records . While at ABC, she released an album of Bossa Nova themed songs. She also began exploring the pop market, adding to her repertoire songs from The Beatles , Steve Lawrence and songs from recent films, such as Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte , Baby the Rain Must Fall and the play Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Recorded
Album title
Label
Format
Catalogue No.
Issued
1965
Chris Connor Sings Gentle Bossa Nova ABC-Paramount Records LP
ABC-529
1965
1966
Now! ABC-Paramount Records
LP
ABCS-585
1966
[ edit ]
Recorded
Title
Label
Format
Catalogue No.
Issued
1965
Chris Connor Sings Gentle Bossa Nova ABC-Paramount Records EP
ABCS-529
1965
1966
Never On Sunday /The Boys from MadridABC-Paramount Records
45 rpm
ABC-10906
1966
[ edit ] After her ABC contract expired, Chris Connor began releasing albums for various record labels, many of which were geared for the Japanese market. She was without a regular record contract until the mid-80s, when she released two albums on the Contemporary Records label in 1987. Between 1991 and 1995, she released 4 albums for the Japanese label Alfa Records . Six years later, she went back into the recording studio to record tracks for the U.S. HighNote Records label between 2001 and 2002. Her last solo album was issued in 2003.
Recorded
Album title
Label
Format
Catalogue No.
Issued
1969
Softly and Swinging JVC Records (Japan)LP
SMJ-7511
1969
1971
Sketches Stanyan Records
LP
SR-10029
1971
1976
Chris Moves CBS/Sony Records (Japan)LP
25AP-538
1977
1978
Sweet and Swinging Progressive Records LP
PRO-728
1978
1978
Alone Together Lobster Records (Japan)
LP
LOB-LDC 1015
1979
1983
Love Being Here with You Stash Records LP
ST-232
1983
1986
Classic Contemporary Records LP
5C/C-14023
1987
1987
New Again Contemporary Records
LP
5C/C-14038
1987
1991
As Time Goes By Alfa Records (Japan)CD
ALCR-111
1991
1991
Angel Eyes Alfa Records (Japan)
CD
ALCR-124
1991
1992
My Funny Valentine Alfa Records (Japan)
CD
ALCR-253
1993
1995
Blue Moon Alfa Records (Japan)
CD
ALCB-3902
1995
2001
Haunted Heart HighNote Records CD
HCD-7079
2001
2002
I Walk With Music HighNote Records
CD
HCD-7095
2002
2002
Everything I Love HighNote Records
CD
HCD-7108
2003
Additional compilations and live recordings [ edit ]
Recorded
Location
Album title
Label
Format
Catalogue No.
Issued
Chris Connor Songs
Titles
1954–1955
New York
Bethlehem's Girlfriends Bethlehem
LP
BCP-6006
1956
4
It's All Right With Me
All This And Heaven Too
Lush Life
The Thrill Is Gone
1954–1955
Nina Simone and Her Friends BCP-6041
1959
4
A Cottage For Sale
Try A Little Tenderness
What Is There To Say
Goodbye
05/27/57
"Stars of Jazz" TV Show
Sessions Live, 1957 Calliope Records
LP
3030
1976
2
S'Wonderful
Love Walked In
S'Wonderful
Blue Moon
CD
BMCD-3074
1998
13
Cd contains the 2 songs from the Sessions Live LP as well as the 11 songs from the Chris Connor, Live At the Village Gate: Early and Late Show album.
1959
Unknown
Sound Flights Into Jazz USA Government's Air Force Recruitment Service
LP
Vol. 10
1959
12
Strike Up The Band
All About Ronnie (incomplete)
Misty
Fine And Dandy (incomplete)
Señor Blues
Angel Eyes (incomplete)
I Hear The Music Now
I Miss You So (incomplete)
It Don't Mean A Thing
'Round Midnight (incomplete)
Blow Gabriel Blow
Loverman (incomplete)
I Hear The Music Now SSJ Records (Japan)
CD
XQAM 1058
2012
15
CD contains the 6 complete versions of the songs from the Sound Flights Into Jazz LP:
Strike Up The Band
Misty
Señor Blues
I Hear The Music Now
It Don't Mean A Thing
Blow Gabriel Blow
1959–1960
Manhattan Melodies US Govt Air Force Recruitment Svc
LP
PGM 26
1960
3
I Hear Music
Just In Time
Witchcraft
1960
Ed Sullivan Show
The Sullivan Years: Great Ladies of Jazz TVT records
CD
9450-4/2
1960
2
I Get A Kick Out Of You
Come Rain or Come Shine
1960 or 1962
Sounds of Freedom Armed Forces Radio Svc
LP
PGM 4
1962
2
I Got A Right To Sing The Blues
God Bless The Child
1959 or 1960
Stars for Defense Armed Forces Radio Svc
LP
PGM ?
1962
5
Lonesome Road
Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most
Black Coffee
Witchcraft
Baltimore Oriole
I Hear The Music Now SSJ Records (Japan)
CD
XQAM 1058
2012
15
CD contains the song God Bless The Child from the Sounds of Freedom LP as well as the 5 tracks from Stars for Defense LP.
1961
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
At the American Jazz Festival in Latin America Westwind
CD
2025
1995
6
Day In - Day Out
Hallelujah I Love Him So
Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most
I Get A Kick Out Of You
From This Moment On
Blow Gabriel Blow
1962
New York
No Strings: An After-Theater Version Atlantic
LP
ATL-1383
1962
4
The Sweetest Sounds
Look No Further
No Strings
Nobody Told Me 'The above titles were included as bonus tracks for the Japanese cd reissue of Free Spirits (AMCY-1077)
1966
Guest Star: Chris Connor USA Government's Treasury Dept
LP
1024
1966
3
Goin' Out Of My Head
Carnival (Black Orpheus)
Nowhere Man
I Hear The Music Now SSJ Records (Japan)
CD
XQAM 1058
2012
15
CD contains the three songs from the Guest Star: Chris Connor LP. Note the track Nowhere Man is incomplete.
1982
Avery Fischer Hall, New York
Jazz Alive - Kool '82 - This Time The Ladies NPR Radio
Cassette
1982
6
I Love Being Here With You
Willow Weep For Me
Things Are Swingin'
I Miss You So
I Feel A Song Coming On
How High The Moon (duet with Sylvia Syms, Bill Henderson, Dizzy Gillespie and others)
1983
New York
Chris Connor Live Applause Records
LP
APCS/APLP 1020
1983
13
I Hear The Music Now
Good Morning Heartache
It Might As Well Be Spring
Things Are Swingin'
Where Flamingos Fly
All Or Nothing At All
Lover
Get Out Of Town
All About Ronnie
Any Place That I Hang My Hat Is Home
Just In Time
Glad To Be Unhappy
Poor Little Rich Girl
1995
Lover Come Back to Me: Live At Sweet Basil Evidence Records (Japan)
CD
ECD 22110-2
1995
15
CD contains songs 1-3, 5-6, and 8-12 of the Chris Connor Live LP. The additional 5 tracks were only released on CD.
I've Got You Under My Skin
A Foggy Day
Lover Come Back To Me
Lush Life
My Heart Stood Still
1983
Tokyo
Three Pearls Toshiba-EMI
CD
EWJ-90028
1984
4
1990
London
The London Connection Audiophile
CD
ACD-246
1993
19
recorded live at Pizza on the Park
1996
Billy Taylor's Jazz At The Kennedy Center - Guest: Chris Connor NPR
Cassette
970421
1997
9
This cassette includes songs and an extended interview, as well audience questions.
Summertime
Blue Moon
This Can't Be Love
Just One Of Those Things
Angel Eyes
September In The Rain
A Foggy Day
Everytime We Say Goobye
I Get A Kick Out Of You
Years given are for the recording(s), not first release, except for compilations.
Albums Compilations Singles Related articles