Norman Connors

If there is a Kevin Bacon (six degrees of separation) of music in the last 50 years it may be Norman Connors. He is a man who was a world class musician in his own right, but who became the vehicle for the world to discover some of the great R&B and jazz vocalists of that period, from Phyllis Hyman to Jean Carne, Angela Bofill, DeeDee Bridgewater, Michael Henderson, Glenn Jones, Gabrielle Goodman, and many more.

Born in Philadelphia into a musical family, Connors was a prodigy who performed with legendary jazz saxophonist John Coltrane at age 16, and landed a full scholarship to the prestigious Juilliard School of Music at 18. He formed a friendship with iconic jazz man Miles Davis, and was signed to Buddah Records’ jazz division by age 20.

His first three albums for Buddah were progressive jazz gems, and featured many of Davis’s players and jazz legends such as Herbie Hancock and Stanley Clarke. But trouble at the label led Connors to create a more R&B-friendly sound for his fourth album, and Davis’s bassist, Michael Henderson, delivered the song that would propel Connors on the R&B charts. “Valentine Love” became an instant Quiet Storm staple, featuring Henderson and newcomer Jean Carn on vocals.

The follow-up album, 1976’s You Are My Starship, was even bigger, with the Henderson-penned title track shooting into the Top 5 and becoming Connors’ signature song, and one of the great soul ballads of all time.

Clive Davis came calling in 1978, and Connors began a six album stint on Arista Records, mixing jazz, R&B and even disco into attractive sets that kept Connors moving on the charts as well as on tour. But with changes in the music world and the emergence of hip-hop in the 90s, Connors moved back to his first love, jazz, signing with the MoJazz label and issuing two well-received albums.

Connors last recording was 2009’s Star Power on Shanachie Records, which hit the top 10 on the Contemporary Jazz charts. He continues to work with other artists to this day and performs live on occasion. He is also working on a new material that could lead to his first album in more than a dozen years.

Norman Connors has spent his 50+ years in the music business quietly making some of the greatest crossover R&B/jazz songs of his time, while helping countless other artists in their career ascension.

By Chris Rizik