Harry Connick, Jr. Trio
The Happy Elf
Marsalis Music Records
www.marsalismusic.com
By George W. Harris

There’s just something about Harry Connick Jr. that you just gotta
love. He’s got great musical instincts, and a heart for service, as
he’s shown by his unrelenting assistance for NO post Katrina. Here,
he’s put together a disc that serves as a companion to his children’s
book, just in time for the Christmas Season. The disc begins with
Connick telling the story from the book, with background music supplied
by himself and his regular team of Arthur Latin/dr and Neal Caine/b.
After that, it’s strictly instrumentals, with the remaining dozen tunes
spotlighting Connick’s clever writing skills, as well as his impressive
chops. Tunes like “Santarrific” or “Bluesville” are sort of a mix of
Thelonious Monk and Professor Longhair. A bit of a swagger, but happily
elliptical. Kids will play the first song over and over, while adults
will start at track 2 and have a great session.