Talk about kicking off the new year in style!! This January will see the return of the world's most loved and multi-talented jazz-pop crooner, the phenomenal Harry Connick Jr, for a tour of the nation that will see the smooth swinging entertainer and his nine-piece big band joined on stage by each Australian State Symphony Orchestra for the most spectacular concert series to hit our shores in recent times!!

With a solid musical career spanning over 15 years and a voice and face to make any heart melt, Harry Connick Jr is one of the world's most enchanting, talented and respected modern jazz performers with an unbelievable array of skills as a vocalist, pianist, composer, arranger and orchestrator. At the same time, Harry Connick, Jr, the actor, has made a major impact in theatrical films and on television. His Hollywood credits include Memphis Belle, Hope Floats and Independence Day, while his small-screen triumphs include the ABC production of South Pacific and his recurring role on NBC's Will & Grace (new episodes of which go to air in Oz on Channel Seven this summer).

All of these achievements ? not to mention his album sales of over 20 million, his three Grammy awards and his nominations for Tony, Emmy, Oscar, Golden Globe and Cable Ace Awards - reflect a creative energy and individuality that makes Harry Connick Jr unique in the world of entertainment.

His latest album 'Only You' has hit Platinum sales in the US and earnt him some of the biggest raves of his career. An album of lush, romantic ballads complete with big band and orchestral arrangements, Harry takes a mix of '50s and '60s standards, including 'Crazy', 'The Very Thought Of You' and 'Once In My Life', and stamps them with his own inimitable style. Also featured on the album is an original composition, 'Other Hours', which the Baltimore Sun recently called "perhaps the finest performance [Connick] has committed to tape so far."

A superb live DVD version of the album, 'Only You Live', will be released on January 10 to co-incide with Harry's Australian concerts.

Having just wrapped up a five month nationwide tour stateside, which received critical acclaim from the music community, we'll leave it to The Chicago Tribune's Howard Reich to explain why Harry's upcoming Australian shows are not to be missed:

"Even more impressive, however, were the unmistakable maturation of his baritone and the heightened profile of his vocal style.... [Connick's] show blows in like a Gulf Coast hurricane. For jazz devotees, perhaps the most inspiring facet of this show was its fervor for joyous swing rhythm, smart instrumental solos and lusty, big-band orchestration. To hear a music that's often marginalized in American culture reasserting its place before a large, enthusiastic public made this an indelible night."

Harry Connick Jr and Band - Australian Tour Dates

Selected tickets on sale now

Friday, January 14 - Melbourne Hamer Hall with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Bookings: Ticketmaster7 1300 136 166 or www.ticketmaster7.com.au

Saturday, January 15 - Melbourne Hamer Hall with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Bookings: Ticketmaster7 1300 136 166 or www.ticketmaster7.com.au

Tuesday, January 18 - Brisbane Convention Centre with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra
Bookings: Ticketek 131 931 or www.ticketek.com.au

Thursday, January 20 - Gold Coast Convention Centre with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra
Bookings: Ticketek 131 931 or www.ticketek.com.au

Saturday, January 22 - Perth Sandalford Winery with WA Symphony Orchestra
Bookings: Ph: (08) 9326 0000 or www.waso.com.au

Saturday, January 23 - Perth Sandalford Winery with WA Symphony Orchestra
Bookings: Ph: (08) 9326 0000 or www.waso.com.au

Tuesday, January 25 - Sydney Opera House With Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Bookings: Ph: (02) 9250 7777 or special priority booking opportunity for Sony customers @ www.sydneyoperahouse.com

Wednesday, January 26 - Sydney Opera House With Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Bookings: Ph: (02) 9250 7777 or special priority booking opportunity for Sony customers @ www.sydneyoperahouse.com

Saturday, January 29 - Hunter Valley, Wyndham Estate
Bookings: Ph: (02) 9266 4800 or (02) 4921 2121 or www.ticketek.com.au


Harry Connick Jr 'Only You' and 'Harry For The Holidays' out now

More Artist Info