Chris Connor discography

Chris Connor discography
Studio albums 37
Live albums 2
Compilation albums 6
Singles 24
Other contributions 22

This is the discography of singer Chris Connor. Connor recorded approximately 42 albums and several singles between the years 1949-2003. This discography lists all known first-release EPs, LPs and CDs released by the singer, and includes some live recordings released on CD containing her 1950's radio performances.

Early studio recordings (1949–1953)

Chris Connor moved to New York in 1949 and secured a job as a big band singer, working with Claude Thornhill and his vocal group The Snowflakes. Connor toured with Thornhill off and on until 1952, when she joined the Jerry Wald Orchestra. After a brief period with Wald, she landed her dream job as a replacement for June Christy in Stan Kenton's orchestra. Including an alternate recording of All About Ronnie, Chris Connor only recorded 8 songs in the Capitol Records studio with Kenton's band. After non-stop touring in the United States and performing live on radio, she left the Kenton band in late 1953 to establish herself as a solo performer.

RecordedTitleLabelReleaseCatalogue No.IssuedBand
1949There's a Small Hotel (with the Snowflakes)/Sleepy Serenade (instrumental)RCA-Victor78 rpmRCA-20-33911949Claude Thornhill
I Don't Know Why(with the Snowflakes)/Lullaby Of The Rain (instrumental)78 rpmRCA-20-3392
1952You're The Cream In My Coffee/CherokeeDecca78 rpmDecca-282031952Jerry Wald
45 rpmDecca-9-28203
Pennies from Heaven/Raisins and Almonds78 rpmDecca-29575
45 rpmDecca-9-29575
Terremoto/The Thrill Is Gone (instrumental)78 rpmDecca-28554
45 rpmDecca-9-28554
1953And The Bull Walked Around, Olé/Jeepers CreepersCapitol78 rpmCapitol-23881953Stan Kenton
45 rpmCapitol F-2388
All About Ronnie/Baia78 rpmCapitol-2511
45 rpmCapitol F-2511
1953If I Should Lose YouUnreleasedCapitol 11120Stan Kenton
Nobody Knows The Trouble I've SeenUnissued/LostCapitol 11353
I Get A Kick Out Of YouUnreleasedCapitol 11559-23
All About Ronnie (alternate take)UnreleasedCapitol ?
1953Stan Kenton: The Complete Capitol Recordings of the Holman And Russo ChartsCapitol Records/Mosaic Records4 CD boxMD4-1361991Stan Kenton
  • Cd 2 includes all songs recorded by Chris Connor with the Stan Kenton Orchestra, except Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen

Early live recordings (selected) (1952–1953)

RecordedLocationAlbum titleOrchestraLabelFormatCatalogue No.Issued# of Connor SongsTitles
10/1952Statler Hotel, NYCThe Great Ladies on V-Disc, Vol. 3Claude ThornhillDan Records (Japan)LPVC-501619794
  • Come Rain or Come Shine
  • Sorta Kinda
  • Wish You Were Here
  • Who Are We to Say
Tokuma Records (Japan)CDTKCF-7707620014CD version contains the same tracks as listed on above LP.
2/19/1953National Guard Armory, Eugene, ORStan Kenton: Eugene Armory (Part 1)Stan KentonMagic/Submarine (England)CD79620095
  • Jeepers Creepers
  • If I Should Lose You
  • September in the Rain
  • I'll Remember April
  • Taking a Chance on Love
Stan Kenton: Eugene Armory (Part 2)Stan KentonMagic/Submarine (England)CD79920094
  • Don't Worry About Me
  • Tenderly
  • There Will Never Be Another You
  • Lullaby In Rhythm
Stan Kenton: Eugene Armory (Part 3)Stan KentonMagic/Submarine (England)CD80220105
  • Jeepers Creepers
  • Darn That Dream
  • You're Mine You
  • I Only Have Eyes For You
  • Everything Happens To Me
3/17/53Trianon Ballroom, Oklahoma City, OKStan Kenton: Concert In Miniature (Episodes 38 & 39)Stan KentonVintage Radio ClassicsCD5436520071
  • Jeepers Creepers
3/27/53-4/9/53Blue Note, Chicago, ILStan Kenton: Concert Encores (Episodes 9 & 10)Stan KentonVintage Radio ClassicsCD5446520072
  • Don't Worry About Me
  • I'll Remember April
In True '52 Stereo: Direct from the Famous Blue Note Jazz ClubStan KentonDynaflowCDDNYF-2007-120072
  • Jeepers Creepers
  • I'll Remember April
Stan Kenton: Concert Encores (Episodes 11 & 12)Stan KentonVintage Radio ClassicsCD5446620071
  • All About Ronnie
4/22/53-5/6/53Birdland Club, NYCStan Kenton: Live Birdland EncoresStan KentonMr. MusicCDMMCD-900220112
  • If I Should Lose You
  • Taking A Chance On Love
Stan Kenton: The 1950's Birdland BroadcastsStan KentonJazz Band (England)CDEBCD-2132-519984
  • Jeepers Creepers
  • Taking A Chance On Love
  • Love Me Or Leave Me
  • If I Should Lose You
Concert In Miniature Encores: 23 Degrees North, 82 Degrees WestStan KentonNatasha ImportsCDNI-400619922
  • There Will Never Be Another You
  • I'll Remember April
5/12/53Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MDStan Kenton: Concert in Miniature (Episodes 44 & 45)Stan KentonVintage Radio ClassicsCD5436820071
  • Everything Happens To Me

Studio albums (1954–1966)

Bethlehem Records

Chris Connor recorded around 38 sides for the Bethlehem Records label between December 1953 and April 1955. Connor was the first vocalist signed to the new label, and her dual 10" LPs Sings Lullabys of Birdland and Sings Lullabys For Lovers were the first albums ever released by Bethlehem. Only one full length 12" LP was released during Chris' tenure there: the album This Is Chris (in 1955). Her other two Bethlehem albums were issued in 1957 (after she left the label).

RecordedAlbum titleFormatCatalogue No.Issued
1954Chris Connor Sings Lullabys of Birdland10" LPBCP-10011954
Chris Connor Sings Lullabys For Lovers10" LPBCP-1002
1955This Is Chris (AKA Cocktails and Dusk)LPBCP-201955
Chris (AKA The Rich Sound of Chris Connor)LPBCP-561957
Chris Connor Sings Lullabys of BirdlandLPBCP-6004

Bethlehem EPs & Singles

RecordedTitleFormatCatalogue No.Issued
1953Lullaby Of Birdland/Try A Little Tenderness78 rpmBET-B13021954
45 rpmBET-B1302
Miser's Serenade/Blue Silhouette78 rpmBET-12911954
Chiquita From Chi Wah-Wah/Ask Me78 rpmBET-1293
1954Try a Little Tenderness/What Is There to Say45 rpm110011954
1954Chris Connor Sings Lullabys Of Birdland (Part 1)EPBEP-101A1954
Chris Connor Sings Lullabys Of Birdland (Part 2)EPBEP-101B
Chris Connor Sings Lullabys For Lovers (Part 1)EPBEP-102A
Chris Connor Sings Lullabys For Lovers (Part 2)EPBEP-102B
1953Chris (Part 1)EPBEP-1141955
1954-1955Chris (Part 2)EPBEP-127
1953-1955Chris (Part 3)EPBEP-130
1955This Is Chris (Part 1)EPBEP-126
This Is Chris (Part 2)EPBEP-129

Atlantic Albums

Chris Connor's longest (and most successful) association with a record label was at Atlantic Records. She began recording for Atlantic in 1956 and, over the course of seven years, released thirteen critically acclaimed and best-selling albums. Fans often consider this period the peak of Connor's career, as she had complete artistic control over both the songs and the musicians with whom she would work.

During the Atlantic period, Connor worked with many well-respected musicians in the industry, including Doc Severinsen, Jerry Wexler, Quincy Jones, Hank Jones, Rufus Jones, Nesuhi Ertegun, Osie Johnson, and Ronnie Ball. She also recorded many relatively unknown compositions during this time, including those of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, Frank Loesser, Margo Guryan, Sy Coleman, Johnny Mercer, Harold Arlen, Bronislau Kaper, Peggy Lee, Ornette Coleman, Benny Goodman, Alex North, Ogden Nash and Bart Howard.

In April, 1960, Billboard Magazine announced that Connor would be awarded a gold record for the sale of 500,000 albums for the label.

RecordedAlbum titleFormatCatalogue No.IssuedTitles
1956Chris Connor (mono)LPATL-12281956
He Loves Me, He Loves Me NotLPATL-1240/SD-1240
I Miss You SoLPATL-8014/SD-80141957
1957Chris Connor Sings The George Gershwin Almanac of SongLPATL-2-601
1956A Jazz Date With Chris ConnorLPATL-1286/SD-12861958
1958Chris Connor (stereo)LPATL-SD-1228
Chris CraftLPATL-1290/SD-1290
1959Chris Connor Sings Ballads of the Sad CaféLPATL-1307/SD-13071959
WitchcraftLPATL-8032/SD-8032
Chris In PersonLPATL-8040/SD-8040
1960A Portrait of ChrisLPATL-8046/SD-80461960
Double Exposure (with Maynard Ferguson)LPATL-8049/SD-80491961
1961Free SpiritsLPATL-8061/SD-80611962
1956–1959The Best of Chris Connor (Japan)LPMJ-70201963
  • The Man I Love
  • Chinatown, My Chinatown
  • These Foolish Things
  • Senor Blues
  • Flying Home
  • Anything Goes
  • Moonlight In Vermont
  • Come Rain Or Come Shine
  • You Make Me Feel So Young
  • The Lady Sings The Blues
  • Where Flamingos Fly
  • They Can't Take That Away From Me
1958–1960Misty (Japan)LPP-6135A1975
  • Senor Blues
  • Misty
  • Moon Ride
  • I Sold My Heart To The Junkman
  • Invitation
  • Under Paris Skies
  • I Heard A Bluebird
  • Flying Home
  • I Won't Cry Anymore
  • Circus
  • To Each His Own
  • Fortune Cookies
  • Long Hot Summer
  • (I'm Afraid) The Masquerade Is Over
1956–1961The Best Of Chris Connor (Japan)CDAMCY-10781991
  • All About Ronnie (1959 Recording)
  • I Hear The Music Now
  • Oh! You Crazy Moon
  • I'm Gonna Go Fishin'
  • These Foolish Things
  • Jump for Joy
  • Go 'Way From My Window
  • Hallelujah I Love Him So (1958 Recording)
  • I Won't Cry Anymore
  • I Miss You So
  • Bargain Day
  • Summertime
  • Witchcraft
  • He Was Too Good To Me
  • I Get A Kick Out Of You

Atlantic EPs & Singles

RecordedTitleFormatCatalogue No.IssuedChart Peak
1956Chris ConnorEPATL-5771956
Chris Connor (I Miss You So)EPATL-5801957
1957Chris Connor Sings The George Gershwin Almanac of Song (Part 1)EPATL-5931957
Chris Connor Sings The George Gershwin Almanac of Song (Part 2)EPATL-5941957
Chris Connor Sings The George Gershwin Almanac of Song (Part 3)EPATL-5951957
Chris Connor Sings The George Gershwin Almanac of Song (Part 4)EPATL-5961957
A Jazz Date With Chris ConnorEPATL-6151958
1958Chris CraftEPATL-6??1958
1959Pop Goes Chris In "Witchcraft"EPATL-6221959
Chris In PersonEPATL-6231960
1956Past The Age Of Innocence/Go 'Way From My Window45 rpmATL-10971956
I Miss You So/My Heart Is So Full Of You45 rpmATL-11051956#34
Time Out For Tears/I Love You, Yes I Do45 rpmATL-11211957
Trust In Me/Mixed Emotions45 rpmATL-11381957#95
1958Under Paris Skies/Moon Ride45 rpmATL-11881958
Hallelujah I Love Him So/I Won't Cry Anymore45 rpmATL-11981958
1959Flying Home/Circus45 rpmATL-20171959
Señor Blues/Misty45 rpmATL-20371959
1960That's My Desire/I Only Want Some45 rpmATL-20531960
Invitation/I Sold My Heart To The Junkman45 rpmATL-20731960
1961Summertime/The Lonesome Road (with Maynard Ferguson)45 rpmATL-50141961
The Sweetest Sounds/Opportunity, Please Knock45 rpmATL-50171961

Roulette Records

Both Chris Connor and trumpeter Maynard Ferguson previously performed with the Stan Kenton band. In 1960, Atlantic Records made a special arrangement with Roulette Records, allowing Connor to record an album with Ferguson for their label (Ferguson was under contract with Roulette at the time). As part of the deal, he also recorded Double Exposure on Atlantic Records with Connor.

RecordedAlbum titleFormatCatalogue No.Issued
1960-61Two's Company (with Maynard Ferguson)LPS/R-520681961

FM Records

Between 1962 and 1963, Chris Connor's manager, Monte Kay convinced her to leave Atlantic Records to join his new record company, FM Records. This turned out to be a poor choice for Connor, since she no longer had the support of a big label to promote her music. Her first release with the label, Chris Connor at the Village Gate, failed to mirror the sales success of her previous Atlantic efforts (although it was critically acclaimed). Before her second release on FM, A Weekend in Paris, was even released, the FM label declared bankruptcy in 1964.

RecordedAlbum titleLabelFormatCatalogue No.Issued
1963Chris Connor at the Village Gate, Early Show and Late ShowFM RecordsLPFM-300/SFM-3001963
A Weekend in ParisFM RecordsLPFM-312/SFM-3121964

FM Single

RecordedTitleFormatCatalogue No.Issued
1963A Lot of Livin' to Do/I Concentrate on You45 rpmFM-30021963

ABC Records/Paramount Records

By the end of 1964, Connor became a free agent and secured a 2-album deal with ABC Records. While at ABC, she released an album of Bossa Nova themed songs. She also began exploring the pop market, adding to her repertoire songs from The Beatles, Steve Lawrence and songs from recent films, such as Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte, Baby the Rain Must Fall and the play Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?.

RecordedAlbum titleLabelFormatCatalogue No.Issued
1965Chris Connor Sings Gentle Bossa NovaABC-Paramount RecordsLPABC-5291965
1966Now!ABC-Paramount RecordsLPABCS-5851966

ABC-Paramount EPS & Singles

RecordedTitleLabelFormatCatalogue No.Issued
1965Chris Connor Sings Gentle Bossa NovaABC-Paramount RecordsEPABCS-5291965
1966Never On Sunday/The Boys from MadridABC-Paramount Records45 rpmABC-109061966

Studio albums (1969–2003)

After her ABC contract expired, Chris Connor began releasing albums for various record labels, many of which were geared for the Japanese market. She was without a regular record contract until the mid-80's, when she released two albums on the Contemporary Records label in 1987. Between 1991-1995, she released 4 albums for the Japanese label Alfa Records. Six years later, she went back into the recording studio to record tracks for the U.S. HighNote Records label between 2001–2002. Her last solo album was issued in 2003.

RecordedAlbum titleLabelFormatCatalogue No.Issued
1969Softly and SwingingJVC Records (Japan)LPSMJ-75111969
1971SketchesStanyan RecordsLPSR-100291971
1976Chris MovesCBS/Sony Records (Japan)LP25AP-5381977
1978Sweet and SwingingProgressive RecordsLPPRO-7281978
1978Alone TogetherLobster Records (Japan)LPLOB-LDC 10151979
1983Love Being Here with YouStash RecordsLPST-2321983
1986ClassicContemporary RecordsLP5C/C-140231987
1987New AgainContemporary RecordsLP5C/C-140381987
1991As Time Goes ByAlfa Records (Japan)CDALCR-1111991
1991Angel EyesAlfa Records (Japan)CDALCR-1241991
1992My Funny ValentineAlfa Records (Japan)CDALCR-2531993
1995Blue MoonAlfa Records (Japan)CDALCB-39021995
2001Haunted HeartHighNote RecordsCDHCD-70792001
2002I Walk With MusicHighNote RecordsCDHCD-70952002
2002Everything I LoveHighNote RecordsCDHCD-71082003

Additional compilations and live recordings

RecordedLocationAlbum titleLabelFormatCatalogue No.IssuedChris Connor SongsTitles
1954-1955New YorkBethlehem's GirlfriendsBethlehemLPBCP-600619564
  • It's All Right With Me
  • All This And Heaven Too
  • Lush Life
  • The Thrill Is Gone
1954-1955Nina Simone And Her FriendsBCP-604119594
  • A Cottage For Sale
  • Try A Little Tenderness
  • What Is There To Say
  • Goodbye
05/27/57"Stars of Jazz" TV ShowSessions Live, 1957Calliope RecordsLP303019762
  • S'Wonderful
  • Love Walked In
S'WonderfulBlue MoonCDBMCD-3074199813Cd contains the 2 songs from the Sessions Live LP as well as the 11 songs from the Chris Connor, Live At the Village Gate: Early and Late Show album.
1959UnknownSound Flights Into JazzUSA Government's Air Force Recruitment ServiceLPVol. 10195912
  • Strike Up The Band
  • All About Ronnie (incomplete)
  • Misty
  • Fine And Dandy (incomplete)
  • Señor Blues
  • Angel Eyes (incomplete)
  • I Hear The Music Now
  • I Miss You So (incomplete)
  • It Don't Mean A Thing
  • 'Round Midnight (incomplete)
  • Blow Gabriel Blow
  • Loverman (incomplete)
I Hear The Music NowSSJ Records (Japan)CDXQAM 1058201215CD contains the 6 complete versions of the songs from the Sound Flights Into Jazz LP:
  • Strike Up The Band
  • Misty
  • Señor Blues
  • I Hear The Music Now
  • It Don't Mean A Thing
  • Blow Gabriel Blow
1959-1960Manhattan MelodiesUS Govt Air Force Recruitment SvcLPPGM 2619603
  • I Hear Music
  • Just In Time
  • Witchcraft
1960Ed Sullivan ShowThe Sullivan Years: Great Ladies of JazzTVT recordsCD9450-4/219602
  • I Get A Kick Out Of You
  • Come Rain or Come Shine
1960 or 1962Sounds of FreedomArmed Forces Radio SvcLPPGM 419622
  • I Got A Right To Sing The Blues
  • God Bless The Child
1959 or 1960Stars for DefenseArmed Forces Radio SvcLPPGM ?19625
  • Lonesome Road
  • Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most
  • Black Coffee
  • Witchcraft
  • Baltimore Oriole
I Hear The Music NowSSJ Records (Japan)CDXQAM 1058201215CD contains the song God Bless The Child from the Sounds of Freedom LP as well as the 5 tracks from Stars for Defense LP.
1961Rio de Janeiro, BrazilAt the American Jazz Festival in Latin AmericaWestwindCD202519956
  • Day In - Day Out
  • Hallelujah I Love Him So
  • Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most
  • I Get A Kick Out Of You
  • From This Moment On
  • Blow Gabriel Blow
1962New YorkNo Strings: An After-Theater VersionAtlanticLPATL-138319624
  • The Sweetest Sounds
  • Look No Further
  • No Strings
  • Nobody Told Me

The above titles were included as bonus tracks for the Japanese cd reissue of Free Spirits (AMCY-1077)

1966Guest Star: Chris ConnorUSA Government's Treasury DeptLP102419663
  • Goin' Out Of My Head
  • Carnival (Black Orpheus)
  • Nowhere Man
I Hear The Music NowSSJ Records (Japan)CDXQAM 1058201215CD contains the three songs from the Guest Star: Chris Connor LP. Note the track Nowhere Man is incomplete.
1982Avery Fischer Hall, New YorkJazz Alive - Kool '82 - This Time The LadiesNPR RadioCassette19826
  • I Love Being Here With You
  • Willow Weep For Me
  • Things Are Swingin'
  • I Miss You So
  • I Feel A Song Coming On
  • How High The Moon (duet with Sylvia Syms, Bill Henderson, Dizzy Gillespie and others)
1983New YorkChris Connor LiveApplause RecordsLPAPCS/APLP 1020198313
  • I Hear The Music Now
  • Good Morning Heartache
  • It Might As Well Be Spring
  • Things Are Swingin'
  • Where Flamingos Fly
  • All Or Nothing At All
  • Lover
  • Get Out Of Town
  • All About Ronnie
  • Any Place That I Hang My Hat Is Home
  • Just In Time
  • Glad To Be Unhappy
  • Poor Little Rich Girl
1995Lover Come Back to Me: Live At Sweet BasilEvidence Records (Japan)CDECD 22110-2199515CD contains songs 1-3, 5-6, and 8-12 of the Chris Connor Live LP. The additional 5 tracks were only released on CD.
  • I've Got You Under My Skin
  • A Foggy Day
  • Lover Come Back To Me
  • Lush Life
  • My Heart Stood Still
1983TokyoThree PearlsToshiba-EMICDEWJ-9002819844
1990LondonThe London ConnectionAudiophileCDACD-246199319
  • recorded live at Pizza on the Park
1996Billy Taylor's Jazz At The Kennedy Center - Guest: Chris ConnorNPRCassette97042119979This cassette includes songs and an extended interview, as well audience questions.
  • Summertime
  • Blue Moon
  • This Can't Be Love
  • Just One Of Those Things
  • Angel Eyes
  • September In The Rain
  • A Foggy Day
  • Everytime We Say Goobye
  • I Get A Kick Out Of You
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