Harry Connick, Jr. Pays Tribute to his Hometown

Harry Connick, Jr.

at Wolf Trap, Vienna Virginia

June 21

recommended beverage:

a bottle of white (my choice:

Seyval Blanc from the Virginia winery Old House)

I'd never seen Harry Connick, Jr. in concert before but clearly I picked the perfect tour to see him. Known for his jazz crooning, Connick focused the show on New Orleans jazz and blues standards, many of which he has covered on his most recent albums, Oh, My NOLA and Chanson du Vieux Carre.

Accompanied by an 11-piece band (9 horns, upright bass, and drums), Connick returned to his musical roots, covering such legendary artists as Allen Toussaint and Louis Armstrong. For the show's opening 10 minutes, the band played a jazzy instrumental medley, complete with fantastic drum and horn solos. Connick then emerged, alternating between baby grand and upright piano and Hammond organ, and sang with that velvety voice. Perhaps most moving was his original song, "All These People," which he wrote after witnessing the horrendous conditions at the Convention Center in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.

Midway through, he interrupted the show to bring out a birthday cake for trumpeter Mark Braud and after the crowd joined in singing "happy birthday," Connick proceeded to hand out cake slices to kids in the front row. Throughout the show, he charmed the audience and more than once thanked the crowd for continuing to support his music all of these years.

Having originally gained fame for the When Harry Met Sally soundtrack, he did give us fans of that genre a treat by concluding the show with a sweet rendition of "It Had to Be You."