Norman Connors

Norman Connors (* 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.

Life and work

Connors was already interested very early in the Jazz thanks to friends from school as Lex Humphries. He had the opportunity, instead of Elvin Jones with John Coltrane playing a student in his home town. He studied music at Temple University and then at New York's Juilliard School of Music. Already during his studies he played with Jackie McLean, Jack McDuff, and Sam Rivers. In 1967 he was involved in the recording of Archie Shepp Album Magic of JuJu. In the next few years he belonged to the band of Pharoah Sanders. In 1972 he released his first jazz album on Cobblestone Records; He worked with musicians like Carlos Garnett, Onaje Allan Gumbs and Herbie Hancock.

With Valentine Love, a single from his album Buddha Saturday Night Special, he had his first R & B hit ( with Michael Henderson and Jean Carn ). In You Are My Starship there is a version of "The Creator Has a Master Plan" with saxophonist Gary Bartz and pianist Hubert Eaves. He is currently focused on smooth jazz and crossover.

He also produced for Jean Carn, Phyllis Hyman, Al Johnson and saxophonist Marion Meadows.

Disco Graphical Notes

  • Dance of Magic ( Cobblestone Records in 1972, with Gary Bartz, Eddie Henderson, Herbie Hancock, Stanley Clarke, Cecil McBee )
  • Love from the Sun ( Buddah, 1974, with Herbie Hancock, Hubert Laws, Dee Dee Bridgewater )
  • Saturday Night Special ( Buddah, 1975)
  • You Are My Starship ( Buddah, 1976; # 4 R & B, # 27 Pop )
  • This Is Your Life (1977 ), with Charles Moore
  • Take it to the Limit ( Arista Records, 1980), with Ralph Jones
  • Mr. C ( Arista, 1981)
  • Passion ( Capitol Records, 1988)
  • Remember Who You Are ( MoJazz / Motown Records, 1993)
  • Insert B ( The Real Deal ) / Nobody Knows - Gurus Jazzmatazz -, Vol 2: The New Reality ( Chrysalis Records, 1995)
  • Eternity ( Starship Records, 2000)
  • Star Power ( Shanachie Records, 2009)
Karma (Pharoah Sanders album) Eddie Henderson (musician) Integrated Authority File
608349
de