Norman Connors
Norman Connors (born March 1, 1947 in Philadelphia ) is an American jazz musician ( drums , composition, arrangement) and music producer who is best known for his productions in the field of disco music and contemporary R&B .
Live and act
Connors was interested in jazz very early on , thanks to school friends like Lex Humphries . As a student in his hometown, he had the opportunity to play with John Coltrane instead of Elvin Jones . He studied music at Temple University and then New York's Juilliard School of Music . During his studies he played with Jackie McLean , Jack McDuff and Sam Rivers ( Emanation ). In 1967 he was involved in the recording of Archie Shepps album Magic of JuJu . In the next few years he was part of Pharoah Sanders' band . In 1972 he released his first jazz album on Cobblestone Records ; he worked with musicians such as Carlos Garnett , Onaje Allan Gumbs and Herbie Hancock .
He had his first R&B hit (with Michael Henderson and Jean Carn) with Valentine Love , a release from his album Saturday Night Special , which was released on Buddha Records . In You Are My Starship there is a version of The Creator Has a Master Plan with saxophonist Gary Bartz and pianist Hubert Eaves III . Currently Connors is focused on smooth jazz and crossover .
He also produced for Jean Carn, Phyllis Hyman , Al Johnson and the saxophonist Marion Meadows.
Discographic notes
Albums
year | Title music label |
Top ranking, total weeks, awardChart placementsChart placements (Year, title, music label , placements, weeks, awards, notes) |
Remarks | |
---|---|---|---|---|
US | R&B | |||
1974 | Slewfoot Buddah 5611 |
- |
R&B51 (6 weeks) R&B |
|
1975 | Saturday Night Special Buddah 5643 |
US150 (5 weeks) US |
R&B35 (19 weeks) R&B |
First release: August 1975
Vocals: Jean Carn Producer: Skip Drinkwater |
1976 | You Are My Starship Buddah 5655 |
US39
gold
(24 weeks)US |
R&B5 (33 weeks) R&B |
First published: May 1976
Vocals: Michael Henderson , Phyllis Hyman Producers: Jerry Schoenbaum, Skip Drinkwater |
1977 | Romantic Journey Buddah 5682 |
US94 (16 weeks) US |
R&B24 (17 weeks) R&B |
First published: March 1977
Vocals: Eleanore Mills, Phillip Mitchell Producers: Jerry Schoenbaum, Skip Drinkwater |
1978 | This Is Your Life Arista 4177 |
US68 (17 weeks) US |
R&B20 (24 weeks) R&B |
First published: May 1978
with The Starship Orchestra Lead Vocals: Eleanore Mills Producer: Norman Connors |
1979 | Invitation Arista 4216 |
US137 (7 weeks) US |
R&B34 (12 weeks) R&B |
First release: June 1979
Lead Vocals: Adaritha Producer: Norman Connors |
1980 | Take It to the Limit Arista 9534 |
US145 (6 weeks) US |
R&B30 (23 weeks) R&B |
|
1981 | Mr. C Arista 9575 |
US197 (2 weeks) US |
R&B51 (6 weeks) R&B |
First published: November 1981
Arranger: Ben Wright Producer: Norman Connors |
1988 | Passion Capitol 48515 |
- |
R&B39 (13 weeks) R&B |
First published: April 1988
Lead Vocals: Gabrielle Goodman , Spencer Harrison Producer: Norman Connors |
1993 | Remember Who You Are MoJazz 7003 |
- |
R&B70 (8 weeks) R&B |
First published: March 1993
Executive Producer: Steve McKeever |
More albums
- 1972: Dance of Magic (with Gary Bartz , Eddie Henderson , Herbie Hancock , Stanley Clarke and Cecil McBee ; Buddah 5674)
- 1973: Dark of Light (Buddah 5675)
- 1974: Love from the Sun (with Herbie Hancock, Hubert Laws , Dee Dee Bridgewater ; Buddah 5142)
- 1976: Aquarian Dream (Buddah 5672)
- 1981: Beyond a Dream (with Pharoah Sanders ; live album, recording: Montreux Jazz Festival , July 1978; Buddah 5672)
- 1996: Easy Living (MoJazz 314530733-2)
- 2000: Eternity ( The Right Stuff 72435-24722-2-2)
- 2009: Star Power (release: February 24th; Shanachie 5171)
Compilations
year | Title music label |
Top ranking, total weeks, awardChart placementsChart placements (Year, title, music label , placements, weeks, awards, notes) |
Remarks | |
---|---|---|---|---|
US | R&B | |||
1978 | The Best of Norman Connors & Friends Buddah 5716 |
US175 (5 weeks) US |
R&B44 (9 weeks) R&B |
First published: November 1978
Executive Producer : Jerry Schoenbaum |
More compilations
- 1982: Just Imagine (Accord 7210)
- 1990: The Best Of (Sequel Records 118)
- 1998: The Very Best Of (with Aquarian Dream; BMG 74321 578172)
- 1999: The Best of Norman Connors Melancholy Fire ( Razor & Tie 7930182194-2)
- 2001: The Best of Norman Connors (Buddah 74465 99809 2)
Singles
year | Title album |
Top ranking, total weeks, awardChart placementsChart placements (Year, title, album , rankings, weeks, awards, notes) |
Remarks | |
---|---|---|---|---|
US | R&B | |||
1975 | Valentine Love Saturday Night Special |
US97 (3 weeks) US |
R&B10 (14 weeks) R&B |
First published: October 1975
Singing: Michael Henderson , Jean Carn Piano: Hubert Eaves III Writer: Michael Henderson |
1976 | We Both Need Each Other You Are My Starship |
- |
R&B23 (11 weeks) R&B |
|
You Are My Starship You Are My Starship |
US27 (16 weeks) US |
R&B4 (17 weeks) R&B |
||
1977 | Betcha by Golly Wow You Are My Starship |
- |
R&B29 (9 weeks) R&B |
First published: December 1976
Singing: Phyllis Hyman; Saxophone: Gary Bartz Author: Linda Creed , Thom Bell Original: Connie Stevens - Keep Growing Strong, 1970 |
Once I've Been There Romantic Journey |
- |
R&B16 (14 weeks) R&B |
First published in May 1977
singing and author Phillip Mitchell Billboard dance charts: Place 30 (5 weeks) |
|
1978 | This Is Your Life This Is Your Life |
- |
R&B31 (12 weeks) R&B |
First published: June 1978
Singing: Eleanore Mills Writer: Jimmy Webb Original: Thelma Houston , 1969 |
1980 | Take It to the Limit Take It to the Limit |
- |
R&B28 (11 weeks) R&B |
First published: August 1980
Lead vocals: Adaritha Writer: Phyllis St. James0 |
Melancholy Fire Take It to the Limit |
- |
R&B20 (16 weeks) R&B |
First published: November 1980
Lead vocals: Glenn Jones; Bass: Byron Miller Writer: David DeMarco |
|
1982 | She's Gone Mr. C |
- |
R&B86 (2 weeks) R&B |
First published: October 1981
Author: Nigel Martinez |
1988 | I Am Your Melody Passion |
- |
R&B26 (14 weeks) R&B |
First release: February 1988
feat. Spencer Harrison Authors: Jacques Burvick, Marion Meadows |
1993 | Remember Who You Are Remember Who You Are |
- |
R&B86 (3 weeks) R&B |
First release: March 1993
feat. Phyllis Hyman Authors: Lynn DeFino, Roxanna Ward |
More singles
- 1977: For You Everything (vocals: Phillip Mitchell, Eleanore Mills; released September)
- 1978: Say You Love Me (with The Starship Orchestra; release: June)
- 1978: Wouldn't You Like to See (with The Starship Orchestra; release: November)
- 1979: Your Love (release: August)
- 1979: Handle Me Gently (release: October)
- 1980: New York, New York (with The Starship Orchestra; release: April)
- 1988: Lovin 'You ( feat.Gabrielle Goodman ; released September)
- 1988: You're My One and Only Love (feat.Gabrielle Goodman)
- 2014: Mother of the Future
swell
- ↑ a b c Chart sources: Billboard Hot 100 Billboard 200
- ↑ Gold / platinum database US
- ^ Joel Whitburn : Top R&B Albums 1965–1998, ISBN 0-89820-134-9 .
- ^ Joel Whitburn : Hot R&B Songs 1942–2010: 6th Edition, ISBN 978-0-89820-186-4 .
Web links
- website
- Norman Connors at Allmusic (English)
- Norman Connors at Discogs (English)
- Interview (2009)
personal data | |
---|---|
SURNAME | Connors, Norman |
BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American jazz musician (drums, composition, arrangement) and music producer |
DATE OF BIRTH | March 1, 1947 |
PLACE OF BIRTH | Philadelphia |