Norman Connors (born March 1, 1947 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an Ame… Read Full Bio ↴Norman Connors (born March 1, 1947 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American jazz drummer, composer, arranger, producer, and headliner, who has led some influential jazz and R&B groups. He had some big R&B hits of the day, especially in the area love ballads and songs with a positive statement in both titles and lyrics.
Connors became interested in jazz as a child, and began playing drums early, once sitting in for Elvin Jones at a John Coltrane performance he attended while in middle school. Connors studied music at Temple University and Juilliard; his first recording was on Archie Shepp's 1967 release, Magic of JuJu. He played with Pharaoh Sanders for the next few years until signing with Cobblestone Records in 1972 and releasing his first record as a bandleader. In the mid-1970s, Connors, although fronting some great jazz recordings with Carlos Garnett, Gary Bartz, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Herbie Hancock, began focusing more on R&B tunes, and had several US hits with songs featuring vocalists such as Michael Henderson, Jean Carn, and Phyllis Hyman. The most successful of these was "You Are My Starship". Dee Dee Bridgewater also performed with him on the jazz album "Love from the Sun". His more recent work, "Star Power", has seen him operating more in the vein of smooth jazz and urban crossover music featuring Howard Hewett, Bobby Lyle, Ray Parker, Jr, Peabo Bryson, Michael Henderson, and Antoinette.
Connors became interested in jazz as a child, and began playing drums early, once sitting in for Elvin Jones at a John Coltrane performance he attended while in middle school. Connors studied music at Temple University and Juilliard; his first recording was on Archie Shepp's 1967 release, Magic of JuJu. He played with Pharaoh Sanders for the next few years until signing with Cobblestone Records in 1972 and releasing his first record as a bandleader. In the mid-1970s, Connors, although fronting some great jazz recordings with Carlos Garnett, Gary Bartz, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Herbie Hancock, began focusing more on R&B tunes, and had several US hits with songs featuring vocalists such as Michael Henderson, Jean Carn, and Phyllis Hyman. The most successful of these was "You Are My Starship". Dee Dee Bridgewater also performed with him on the jazz album "Love from the Sun". His more recent work, "Star Power", has seen him operating more in the vein of smooth jazz and urban crossover music featuring Howard Hewett, Bobby Lyle, Ray Parker, Jr, Peabo Bryson, Michael Henderson, and Antoinette.
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The Essential Norman Connors - The Buddah/Arista Years
Norman Connors Lyrics
Be There In The Morning You are shining to me That you will meet me Someome who…
Betcha by Golly Wow There's a spark of magic in your eyes Candyland appears…
Handle Me Gently Handle me tenderly, Handle me with all the love you have…
Invitation I wasn’t planning to stay I turn to leave and you…
Phoenix I've got the style of a phoenix 'Cause a phoenix c…
Valentine Love I'm sending you a Valentine In hopes that you're still mine…
We Both Need Each Other Ooo, yea oh baby darlin', take me back, without hesitation, …
You Are My Starship You are my light, I have to go on Have me…
Aporche
on Wouldn't You Like to See?
I love this song. It makes me think of what would be sung when one has just died. Wouldn’t You Like to See It?
Michael Henderson
on You Are My Starship
This song, "You Are My Starship" was written, performed and produced by Michael Henderson as indicated on the Norman Connors album of the same title.. Norman plays drums..