Harry Connick Jr., Babe: Elaboratio

The 35^th Edition of the Book Festival of the MJCCA Presents

Harry Connick Jr., Babe: Elaboratio, A Tribute to My Mother

In conversation with Joe Alterman, Neranenah Director and Renowned Jazz Pianist and Composer

Author Talk and Q & A 

In Babe: Elaboratio, Harry Connick, Jr. pays a heartfelt tribute to his mother, Anita-Francis Livingston Connick, lovingly known as Babe. Babe’s story unfolds as a magnificent musical fantasy, rich with emotion and layered with history. From her early childhood in New York to the serendipitous meeting with her husband in Morocco to the impressive career as one of the first female judges in New Orleans, Babe’s life was a testament of love, determination, and wisdom.

In his debut book—written to accompany his first-ever Carnegie Hall performance—Harry Connick, Jr. unpacks the emotional journey of his composition, revealing the memories and musical significance hidden in the measures of his orchestration. Featuring personal photography and measures from the score, Babe: Elaboratio is a tribute to Babe, a celebration of music, and a meditation on the power of a mother’s love to shape a life forever.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Harry Connick, Jr.’s career exemplifies excellence across multiple platforms in the entertainment world. He has received Grammy awards, Emmy awards, and Tony nominations for his live and recorded musical performances, his achievements in film and television, and his appearances on Broadway as both an actor and a composer.

The foundation of Connick’s art is the music of his native New Orleans, where he began performing as a pianist and vocalist at the age of five. He rose to international prominence in 1989 after recording the soundtrack for the hit comedy When Harry Met Sally, a multi-platinum success and the prelude to a prolific music career that has included several multi-platinum album releases, showcasing his versatility as a vocalist, pianist, composer, and arranger.

Beyond his celebrated achievements in music, Connick has built a wide-ranging career in film, Broadway, and television. He has appeared in twenty-one films, starring alongside acclaimed actors Sandra Bullock, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, and Sigourney Weaver in projects spanning romance, drama, thriller, and action. He earned Tony nominations for his performance in The Pajama Game and as a composer and lyricist for Thou Shalt Not. On television, he had a recurring role on Will & Grace, served as a judge on American Idol, and hosted an Emmy-nominated daytime talk show, Harry, further cementing his reputation as a multifaceted entertainer.

Additional books will be available for purchase on the evening of the event from our partner bookseller, A Cappella Books!

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