The guy who kissed “Grace”, New Orleans jazz prodigy and movie heartthrob chats with CW about his upcoming concert in Beijing

Listen to Collin Crowell’s entire podcast interview with Harry Connick Jr (especially the embarrassing parts), online at www.cityweekend.com.cn/harryconnick

You’re headed out to China for the first time. Right? No, actually I’ve been there before. So this will be the second time. Oh, you’ve performed out here before? Yeah, we played in Shanghai eight or ten years ago. How was it? It was great. I loved it over there. I’m really excited to see the changes. I remember what it was like when I was there. I can only imagine what’s it like now. Are you anticipating an expat or traditional Chinese crowd? I don’t have any idea. I remember there were a lot of Chinese folks when I played there before. I have no way of knowing. Obviously, I’d love to play for Chinese people. But when we get out on stage, we’re just out there playing, having a good time, no matter who is there. How are you billing your music?
Well, I just call it big band. We’re really playing a lot of different styles and rather than get caught up in a definition of exactly what I’m playing, I just call it New Orleans music. We’re just playing the different types of music I grew up listening to in New Orleans. Any Chinese musicians you’d like to play with up on stage?
Well, I’ve been there before and met some musicians and they’ve come up and played. I don’t see why it couldn’t happen again. You’re off to HK after this. I’m excited about this Asian tour man. I mean I am really excited to play China. This is just a fun thing. We don’t get to get there much. There is a lot of novelty there for me. What makes it such a novelty? Well it’s such a different culture. When you go to Europe you can speak English all the time, but when you go to China you can’t do that. The culture is much more entrenched in its own traditions and it’s been around so much longer than any other cultures. I just find that fascinating, the music, the language and food; it’s just so different. Off the top of your head, you know where you’re going to be for Mardi Gras? I think we’re going to be in Asia. We’re playing New Orleans music man. So every night is a celebration for us.

Details:

What: Harry Connick Jr
Where: BJ Exhibition Theater
When: March 8th
Tickets: Start at 300RMB
Tel: 6551-6590
www.emma.cn