Chris Connor (Born Mary Loutsenhizer)
November 8, 1927 – August 29, 2009
Chris Connor was a jazz vocalist who moved to New York City in 1948 to broaden her career beyond the night clubs of Kansas City where she was raised. Her first significant job came when she was hired by Claude Thornhill to sing in his vocal group, the Snowflakes. She toured and recorded with Thornhill until 1952, and about a year later found herself singing in Stan Kenton’s band. With Kenton, she finally hit the Billboard charts, singing on such songs as “And The Bull Walked Around, Ole,” “All About Ronnie” and “Jeepers Creepers.” Connor left Kenton in 1953 for a solo career, signing to Atlantic Records in 1956. At Atlantic, she worked with the likes of Herbie Mann, Zoot Sims and Doc Severinson. Connor continued to record until her 2003 album, Everything I Love. She died of cancer in a New Jersey hospital at the age of 81.
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