Listening to recordings of Chris Connor takes you back to the cool school of jazz. She began singing with the Claude Thornhill Orchestra in 1940 and would later join Stan Kenton's band. It was with Kenton's band that she recorded what would become her biggest hit single "All About Ronnie." In 1953 she went solo and saw early success with recordings on the Bethlehem label, including Sings Lullabys of Birdland and Sings Lullabys for Lovers. These first two releases reached #1 and #2 on the Billboard jazz charts in 1955.
After a few years with Bethlehem, she signed with Atlantic Records in 1956, a partnership that would yield more accolades and hits. While the 1950s recordings have become classics, she continued recording until her final release on HighNote Records in 2003. Connor's dusty sound and choice of material have secured her place as one of jazz music's most distinctive vocalists.
