Norman Connors

Norman Connors illustrious resume includes work with saxophonists Pharoah Sanders, Jackie McLean, Archie Shepp and Sam Rivers and organist Jack McDuff along with a list of other jazz luminaries. He has produced for everyone from Angela Bofill, Phyllis Hyman, Peabo Bryson and Howard Hewett to Lonnie Liston Smith and Bobby Lyle. Connors signed with Buddah’s Cobblestone record label in 1972 and recorded a body of critically acclaimed albums that reached multi-platinum selling status. Among Connors recordings in this period are Dance of Magic, which featured the all-star lineup of Herbie Hancock (who appears on Norman’s first five albums), Stanley Clarke, Ron Carter, Hubert Laws, Gary Bartz, Carlos Garnett and Dee Dee Bridgewater. Connors also made the recordings Dark of Light, Love from the Sun, Slewfoot and Saturday Night Special, featuring the number 10 soul hit “Valentine Love.” In 1976 Connors struck gold with the hit “You Are My Starship,” from the album of the same title, which also included the chart-topping Thom Bell and Linda Creed classic “Betcha By Golly Wow” featuring Phyllis Hyman. In the late 70s Connors was courted by Clive Davis who signed him to Arista Records. His debut for the label, This Is Your Life (featuring Eleanor Mills) made a splash with the title track and eventually the album went gold.

He also enjoyed success with his album Invitation (featuring Ada Dyer), which featured his celebrated Starship Orchestra that included Bobby Lyle, Onaje Allan Gumbs, Marion Meadows, Jacques Burvick, Duke Jones, Buzzy Jones, Tony Jones, Billy McCoy, and Jean Carne among others. He recorded five more albums for Arista before signing with Capitol in the late 80s and the Motown’s jazz label, Mojazz, in the 90s. He recorded a top ten jazz album Eternity on the Starship/EMI label in 2001.

Norman Connors is still shooting for the stars and his musical universe just gets better and better with each passing year. Star Power affirms Norman Connors presence as an incredible musical force who knows how to make music for the heart, mind and soul.