American jazz drummer, composer, arranger, producer, and artist.
Born: 1 March 1947 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Connors was born and raised in Philadelphia, having an interest in jazz from an early age when he began playing drums. At elementary school he was exposed to jazz extensively, becoming heavily influenced by drummer Lex Humphries – the younger brother of bassist and Jazz-Messenger player, Spanky DeBrest. Once sitting-in for Elvin Jones at a John Coltrane performance he attended while in middle school, Connors went on to study music at Temple University and Juilliard.
His first recording was for Archie Shepp's "The Magic Of Ju-Ju" (1967), then continuing by playing with Pharoah Sanders for the next few years, before signing to Buddah Records sublabel Buddah Records, where he recorded his first release as a bandleader with album "Dance Of Magic" (1972). Connors began to focus more on R'n'B material in the mid-1970s after signing with Buddah Records, later becoming the label's A&R manager.
He went on to lead jazz recordings with Carlos Garnett, Gary Bartz, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Herbie Hancock. In the mid-1970s, when turning to sophisticated R'n'B and soul material, he recorded work featuring guest singers such as Michael Henderson, Jean Carn, Phyllis Hyman, Al Johnson, [a=Jones Girls], among others, with his work becoming a main staple of jazz-fusion and jazz dance followers, with tracks including "Mother Of The Future" from album "Slew Foot" (1974), "[url=https://www.discogs.com/master/640196-Norman-Connors-This-Is-Your-Life-Captain-Connors]Captain Connors[/url]" from album "This Is Your Life" (1977), et al.
2019
NoBusiness Records
CD, Album, RM
2018
Dynamite Cuts, Dynamite Cuts
2x7", Ltd
2017
SoulMusic Records
2xCD, Comp, RM
2016
Expansion
7"
2014
Expansion
10", Ltd
2014
Decision Records (2), Sony Music Commercial Music Group
CD, Comp
2013
2013
2012
Basic Fingers
2xFile, WAV
2010
Expansion
CD, Comp
2010
Soul Brother Records (3)
CD, Comp, RE
2010
SuperBird
CD, Comp
2009
Shanachie, Starship Records
CD, Album
2001
2000
The Right Stuff
CD, Single
2000
The Right Stuff, Starship Records
CD, Single
2000
2000
1999
Razor & Tie
CD, Comp
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
Buddah Records
CD, Comp
1993
MoJazz
CD, Promo, Smplr
1993
1993
1992
Sequel Records
CD, Album, Comp
1990
1988
1988
1988
1988
1984
1982
Accord (2)
LP, Album, Comp
1981
1981
1981
1980
1980
1980
1979
1979
1979
1978
Kendun Recorders
2xAcetate, LP, S/Sided
1978
1978
1977
1977
1977
1977
1977
1977
1976
Black Horse
7"
1976
1976
1976
1976
1976
1976
1975
1975
1975
1974
1974
1973
1972
The Right Stuff (3)
7", Single, Jukebox
Capitol Records
Cass, Promo
2022
Melodies International
12", RM
2019
Ministry Of Sound
3xCD, Comp, Mixed
2018
Expansion
12"
2017
Expansion
7"
2017
Chump Change Records
CD, Album
2017
2015
2014
Expansion
CD, Comp
2009
2008
Pyramid Records (10)
CD, Album
2007
Sugar Whiskey Records, Lightyear Entertainment
CD, Album
2007
2006
SuSU
CD, Comp + CD, Comp, Mixed
2006
2005
2005
2005
2004
2003
2003
2003
2002
2002
2001
1998
Ichiban International
CD, Single, Promo
1998
1998
1996
MoJazz
CD, Promo, Smplr
1996
1995
1994
Deepbeats
CD, Comp
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