Chris Connor

Mary Jean Loutsenhizer, known professionally as Chris Connor (November 8, 1927 – August 29, 2009), was an American jazz singer.

Early life Mary Jean Loutsenhizer was born on November 8, 1927 in Kansas City Missouri. Her mother was a housewife while her father was a telegraphist for Western Union who taught Mary Jean how to use Morse Code. She was raised alongside her elder sister, Fran, who was eight years older. Mary Jean enjoyed singing from an early age with her sister and performed before a live audience for the first time in a school play where she sang in Spanish. At age 13, the family relocated to Jefferson City, Missouri and she later attended high school where she was first clarinet in their band. In an interview with Jazz Wax, she told Marc Myers that playing the instrument taught her how to read music and learn about breath control.

Mary Jean continued singing, including a successful performance at a junior college graduation in 1945. Following high school graduation, She was heard on the radio in 1952 by Stan Kenton's vocalist, June Christy, who recommended her to Kenton to replace her. Connor joined Kenton's orchestra for their 1953 recording sessions where she cut several selections, among them being "All About Ronnie", a song she has since been identified with. Four more recordings featured Connor's voice with Kenton's band until she left the group later that year. and "Chiquita From Chi-Wah-Wah". The latter was described by biographer Will Friedwald as "perhaps the worst thing she ever sang". Connor herself did not like the songs, telling Jazz Wax, "The 78's were a kick but they weren't taking advantage of my singing personality." Her second studio LP, Chris Connor Sings Lullabys for Lovers, featured Vinnie Burke's quartet and was released in late 1954. It was followed in 1955 by This Is Chris, which featured more session musicians than her previous two Bethlehem projects. Connor theorized that her Bethlehem albums were successful for their minimal use of instruments that allowed listeners to take in her vocals and get all "clutter" out of the background. In 1957, she ranked No. 10 in the Favorite Female Vocalist disk jockey popularity poll behind Lena Horne and June Christy.

Death A resident of Toms River, New Jersey, Connor died there from cancer on August 29, 2009, at the age of 81. Her longtime partner was her manager, Lori Muscarelle.

Discography

Chris Connor Sings Lullabys of Birdland (Bethlehem, 1954) Chris Connor Sings Lullabys for Lovers (Bethlehem, 1954) This Is Chris (Bethlehem, 1955) Chris Connor (Atlantic, 1956) He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not (Atlantic, 1956) I Miss You So (Atlantic, 1957) Chris Connor Sings the George Gershwin Almanac of Song (Atlantic, 1957) Chris (Bethlehem, 1957) Chris Craft (Atlantic, 1958) A Jazz Date with Chris Connor (Atlantic, 1958) Sings Ballads of the Sad Cafe (Atlantic, 1959) Witchcraft (Atlantic, 1959) Chris in Person (Atlantic, 1959) A Portrait of Chris (Atlantic, 1960) Two's Company with Maynard Ferguson (Roulette, 1961) Double Exposure with Maynard Ferguson (Atlantic, 1961) Free Spirits (Atlantic, 1962) At the Village Gate: Early Show/Late Show (FM, 1963) A Weekend in Paris (FM, 1964) Sings Gentle Bossa Nova (ABC-Paramount, 1965) Chris Conner Now! (ABC 1966) Sketches (Stanyan, 1972) the Finest of Chris Connor (Bethlehem, 1975) Sweet and Swinging (Progressive, 1978) Live (Applause, 1983) Three Pearls with Ernestine Anderson, Carol Sloane (Eastworld, 1984) Love Being Here with You (Stash, 1984) Classic (Contemporary, 1987) New Again (Contemporary, 1988) As Time Goes by (Enja, 1991) Angel Eyes (Alfa, 1991) The London Connection (Audiophile, 1993) Haunted Heart (HighNote, 2001) I Walk with Music (HighNote, 2002) Everything I Love (HighNote, 2003)