Harry Connick, Jr. at Carnegie Hall, NYC, NY, USA

Pianist, singer, and composer Harry Connick, Jr. dazzled the audience as he realized his lifelong dream of playing at the legendary Carnegie Hall in New York City, where music excellence has reigned since its opening in 1891. Carnegie Hall Festivals: United In Sound: America at 250 presented Harry Connick, Jr. on May 22-23, 2026, for a 2-night engagement performing with the Orchestra Victoria with Jessica Gethin conducting, and Harry Connick, Jr. Big Band, and Luxury Experience was there to experience a wonderful night of music. Bravo!

Harry Connick, Jr. started playing the piano at the age of 5 and playing concerts by age 10. He opened the performance at Carnegie Hall by noting the profound influence his mother, Anita-Francis Livingston Connick, known as “Babe,” had on his life before losing her to cancer when he was 13 years old. From the time he first started playing, she told him to keep practicing and playing because it was her dream that one day he would play at Carnegie Hall. On May 22, 2026, 45 years later on what would have been his mother’s 100^th birthday, he realized her dream by making his debut performance at Carnegie Hall.

We attended the second night’s performance on Saturday, May 23, 2026, in the magnificent 2,790-seat Isaac Stern Auditorium/Ronald O. Perlman Stage, which was filled to capacity for the opportunity to experience Harry Connick, Jr. performing with the Orchestra Victoria with Jessica Gethin conducting, and the Harry Connick, Jr. Big Band.

The first part of the two-part program was an intimate look at his mother’s life, the youngest of 6 children, born in the Bronx, who went on to travel the world, met and married her husband, Harry Connick, Sr. in Morrocco, and later moved to New Orleans where she was a judge. She led an interesting life and doted on her children. Period photos of his mother, along with reflections and stories of her life, provided a stunning backdrop to the highly personalized selection of music from Mozart to some of his mother’s contemporary favorites including “When the Saints Go Marching In,” “On The Sunny Side of The Street,” and others.

For this portion of the 2.5-hour concert, it was just Harry Connick, Jr. on stage telling stories and playing one of his two personal pianos that he had brought with him to Carnegie Hall, which included his very first childhood piano. Later he was joined by Neal Caine on bass, and Arthur Latin on drums to close out the first part of the very intimate performance.

For the second part of the program, Harry Connick, Jr. performed his 55-minute symphonic composition entitled, Babe: Elaboratio: A Tribute to My Mother, to accompany a book by the same name that will be released on September 29, 2026, which demonstrated his mastery at composition. Joining Harry Connick, Jr. onstage was the illustrious 50—piece Orchestra Victoria from Melbourne, Australia conducted by Jessica Gethin, and the 15-piece Harry Connick, Jr. Big Band. As the glorious sound of the 66-piece orchestra filled the Isaac Stern Auditorium, we could not help but think that Babe, (Anita-Francis Livingston Connick) would be thrilled and proud that her son had realized her dream for him. Bravo!

Harry Connick Jr. is a highly decorated singer, composer, and actor who has to his credit, three Grammy Awards, two Emmy Awards, along with nominations spanning the Grammys, Emmys, Tonys, Oscars, and Golden Globes. Most notable are Grammys for Best Jazz Male Vocal Performance for “When Harry Met Sally” (1989),  Best Jazz Male Vocal Performance for “We Are In Love” (1990), and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for “Songs I Heard” (2001).

What an amazing venue!

Until next time, keep enjoying and supporting the arts!

The Artists

Orchestra Victoria
(+ Guest Artist)

Violins

Violas

Cellos  

Basses

Flutes

Oboes

Clarinets

Bassoon              

Horns   

Trumpets

Trombones

Tuba

Timpani              

Percussion

Harp     

Touring Staff     

Harry Connick, Jr. Big Band

A Sampling of Upcoming Performances at Carnegie Hall

Carnegie Hall has a diverse selection of performances throughout the year. For more information, see their complete list of upcoming programs, as well as purchase tickets for one of the upcoming performances, please visit the website: https://www.carnegiehall.org/

See you at Carnegie Hall!

Carnegie Hall Box Office Hours: Monday through Saturday from 11:00 am until 6:00 pm, Sunday from 12:00 pm until 6:00 pm.

Carnegie Hall
57^th Street and Seventh Avenue
New York, New York
United States
Box Office Telephone: +1-212-247-7800
Website: https://www.carnegiehall.org/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/carnegiehall
Instagram: www.instagram.com/carnegiehall @carnegiehall

Harry Connick, Jr.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harryconnickjr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harryconnickjr/ @harryconnickjr

Orchestra Victoria / Jessica Gethin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orchestravictoria/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orchestravictoria/ @orchestravictoria
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessicagethinconductor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicagethinconductor @jessicagethinconductor

For more information on Harry Connick, Jr., see his upcoming performances schedule, or to pre-order or purchase his book, Babe: Elaboratio, A Tribute To My Mother, please visit his website: https://www.harryconnickjr.com/ and https://www.harryconnickjr.com/tour 

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