The holiday season is nigh upon us, which means jazz pianist/vocalist/actor/superstar Harry Connick Jr. must take a break from his duties on Will & Grace to take on Santa Claus and get some of his own Christmastime exposure, thanks to NBC, which airs Will & Grace.
Connick will begin his assault on all media starting this week with a walk-on appearance during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (televised on NBC from 9 a.m. to noon). On Thanksgiving night Connick gets his own primetime special, Harry for the Holidays, also airing on the Peacock (check your local listings for time). The special will feature Connick playing and singing holiday tunes like “Silver Bells” and “Frosty the Snowman,” as well as a few comedy sketches. NBC’s Web site states that “the holiday celebration also boasts traditional and untraditional performances that reflect Connick’s New Orleans jazz and funk roots.” So maybe we’ll get some real jazz from it too. Star Latin singer Marc Anthony, comic Whoopi Goldberg and happy show-tune guy Nathan Lane will be Connick’s featured guests on the program.
Harry for the Holidays
Become a JazzTimes member to explore our complete archive of interviews, profiles, columns, and reviews written by music's best journalists and critics.
