Concert Review: Harry Connick, Jr. at the State Theatre

Harry Connick, Jr.

In May, Harry Connick, Jr. brought his excellent show to the State Theatre in Minneapolis. I’ve seen Connick in concert several times before, and he always puts on a great show. He’s the definition of an entertainer. Connick’s versatility was on full display in concert, as he sang, played the piano, joked with the crowd, and clearly had a great time. Connick is full of charisma and easy charm, and it's hard to imagine anyone not having fun at one of his concerts. His band, as usual, was superb. 

Connick even lost a contact lens in the middle of the show, so he brought up a woman on stage to use a mirror to help him put it back in. That didn’t work, but Harry went on with the show anyway.

Connick performed a variety of songs throughout the show. He opened the show with several standards, “Without a Song,” “Just the Way You Look Tonight,” and “Just in Time,” before moving on to several songs associated with his hometown of New Orleans, like “Junco Partner.” Connick’s good friend trombonist Lucien Barbarin came out for a few numbers, and he and Connick had each other in hysterics multiple times. Connick even sang "Our Love is Here to Stay," from his breakthrough album, the soundtrack to When Harry Met Sally.

The concert dragged a little bit when Connick and guitarist Jonathan DuBose, Jr. dueted on a long, slow version of “How Great Thou Art,” but other than that the set list was excellent, and the concert ended with Connick paying tribute to a fellow New Orleans pianist, the late great Allen Toussaint, by singing “Yes We Can Can.” It was a fun evening filled with a lot of great music.