Et june 2, 2018 i came to fridays harry connick jr. A performer from the age of five who made his first jazz album at age ten, he moved to new york at age 18 and quickly made his columbia records debut at the head of a jazz trio. A junkie and excon, the late james booker was also the epitome of crescent city keyboard artistry. After beginning on keyboards at the age of three, he first performed publicly at six and recorded with a local jazz band at ten. Features frank sinatra harry connick james booker jazz louis armstrong pianists pop singers. The release of the album coincides with the 20th anniversary of the krewe of orpheus, the mardi gras super krewe which connick cofounded in 1993. His mother, anita frances livingston nee levy was a lawyer and judge in new orleans. James booker, who allowed a preteen harry to sit at his elbow in local clubs, and ellis marsalis, who provided more structured instruction during harrys teenage years. I married my best friend and i married a woman who i look up to infinitely, the singersongwriter told us. He was a oneeyed, drugaddicted piano genius who wore a wig stuffed with marijuana and once held a gun to his head on stage now a new film tells james bookers extraordinary story. Connick s father is a catholic of irish, english, and german ancestry. Find james booker biography and history on allmusic. James carroll booker iii december 17, 1939 november 8, 1983 was a new orleans rhythm.
Here because of harry connick jrs painting im hunkered. Til musician james booker was frequently arrested on drug. John and hugh laurie, as well as neverbefore seen live performances, archival photographs and original stories, the film brings to life the unforgettable story of an american genius. This is a great cd to have for background music at dinner parties or a quiet evening at home. He has received recognition with multiple grammy and emmy awards as well as tony nominations for his live and recorded musical performances, his achievements on screens large and small, and his appearances on broadway as both an actor and a composer. With very few exceptions, the career of harry connick, jr. James booker best video ever best quality live blues. Did you know james booker was harry connick jrs piano teacher. Named after the famed new orleans mardi gras parade float, smokey mary is singerpianist harry connick, jr. The only thing i remember from that performance was there was a guy named james booker, who was a. Over time, district attorney harry connick began nullifying bookers prison sentences in exchange for. John, among others, recorded songs with titles and musical styles referencing booker. He has a wonderful voice that can lull even the crankiest person into the melody. Rentals include 30 days to start watching this video and 7 days to finish once started.
Hugh laurie sings new orleans legend james bookers praises in exclusive bayou maharajah clip. City beneath the sea describes unique new orleans street scenes, and features a. I just learned about james booker and how he gave lessons to a young harry connick jr. Connick would discuss law with booker during his visits to the connick home and made an arrangement with the musician whereby a prison sentence would be nullified in exchange for piano lessons for connick sr. With james booker, joe boyd, douglas brinkley, harry connick jr bayou maharajah explores the life and music of new orleans piano legend james booker, the man dr. A deeply troubled guy, but an incredible kind and generous person. James booker true live at montreux jazz festival 1978. When harry left for new york at age 18, he was equipped with a precocious command of jazz and popular music. It is primarily a funk album, but also features pop, mardi gras rhythms, ballads and rock. Bayou maharajah extra feature pianist harry connick jr. He also garnered attention for his roles in such films as little man tate and independence day. Its been interesting for me to take the film around the world, to countries where they dont know who harry connick jr. He was schooled by two of the citys keyboard legends james booker, who allowed a preteen harry to sit at his elbow in local clubs, and ellis marsalis, who provided more structured instruction during harry s teenage years.
A place for all harry fans alike to get together and discuss their favorite songs. Provided to youtube by sony music entertainment junco partner harry connick jr. Youtube james booker best video ever best quality live blues piano genius true duration. Despite his personal eccentricities, booker had the respect of new orleans best musicians, and elements of his influence are still very much apparent in the playing of pianists like henry butler and harry connick, jr. Theres nobody that could even remotely come close to his playing ability, his close friend, the pianist harry connick jr, tells keber in bayou. James booker was hands down the greatest new orleans piano. Born in new orleans on september 11, 1967, connick grew up the son of two lawyers who owned a record store. James booker this is dedicated to the memory of my loving mother anita connick barcode and other identifiers barcode.
Harry brought his music to the small screen with a harry for the holidays christmas special on nbc based on his acclaimed second seasonal hit album, his emmywinning pbs specials only you in concert and harry connick, jr. And humble, for being one of the great musical geniuses this countrys ever produced. James booker performing his very nontraditional version of junco partner at the montreux jazz festival in 1978. Provided to youtube by sony music entertainment booker harry connick jr. Young harrys piano playing was further encouraged by his apprenticeship with the legendary new orleans pianist james booker, a friend of connicks father. Reviving james booker, the piano prince of new orleans. Amazing how at 51 years old, i am still discovering. Til musician james booker was frequently arrested on drug charges.
John described as the best black, gay, oneeyed junkie piano genius new orleans has ever produced. I not only saw him play, but i studied with him for a few years. Booker allowed the pianist to sit in with him at gigs at local clubs, and connick famously performed alongside booker at the 1982 new orleans jazz and heritage festival. In 1973 booker recorded the lost paramount tapes at paramount studios in hollywood, california, u. Suave new orleans singer and pianist who captured sinatras swing for a postmodern audience, and a spirited interpreter of his hometowns stylings.
He was schooled by two of the citys keyboard legends james booker, who allowed a preteen harry to sit at his elbow in local clubs, and ellis marsalis, who provided more structured instruction during harrys teenage years. Bayou maharajah explores the life and music of new orleans piano legend james booker. A brilliant pianist, his eccentricities and showmanship belied a life of struggle, prejudice, and isolation. Here, i demo this with an improvisation on the itsy bitsy spider. James booker was one of our countrys greatest piano players. Connicks music encompasses jazz, some of it very much in the style of the crooners of the 1940s and early 1950s, funk and blues. Showered with awards and recognition for his live and recorded musical performances, and for his achievements on screens large and small as well as the broadway stage, harry has exemplified excellence in every aspect of the entertainment. Did you know james booker was harry connick jrs piano. Gruver attest both vocally and musically to his musical range and influence. I still remember my first encounter with bookers music.