The term "classic" gets bandied about quite a bit, but certainly in the case of multi-platinum producer/drummer/jazz artist Norman Connors, the term is more than warranted.  Connors, a talented musician in his own right, has a  knack for nurturing and producing phenomenally gifted singers like Michael Henderson, Jean Carne and the late Phyllis Hyman  and creating a slew of “quiet storm” classics such as “Your Are My Starship,” “Valentine Love,” and “This Is Your Life.”

Connors will perform those timeless hits along with songs from his latest CD , “Star Power” and his jazz offerings when he hits the stage New Year’s Eve at the Four Wood Grill in Squirrel Hill. As usual, he will be bringing super talented vocalists, including Pittsburgh’s own, Antoinette, who sang on “Star Power” and Chicago native Danny Boy. Also on the bill, are Pittsburgh natives, Winston and Chaz Carter aka brother2brother.

“I always keep a great array of talent,” says Connors. That’s almost an understatement given the R&B luminaries he’s worked with, Howard Hewett, Peabo Bryson, Angela Bofill, Jean Carne, Glenn Jones, Gladys Knight, Frankie Beverly and Maze to name a few. He’s also worked with numerous jazz greats, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis among them.

“I’ve been a jazz musician my entire life,” he says. “I’ve always admired people like Steve Wonder and Michael Jackson. Miles Davis was one of my idols. I’ve got both worlds all in me. But I guess I’m more jazz than anything.” Yet, Connors has managed to fuse both his jazz and R&B sides. “ I’ve been very successful going down the middle,” he adds. “So I enjoy it all. “

Among today’s artist, Connors enjoys Alicia Keys and Beyonce, although he thinks the depth of talent today can’t quite compare with the folks who topped the charts back in the day. “Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, you can’t get any better than that,” he says.  Connors also mentions other great acts like the Stylistics, the Delfonics, Kool and the Gang and Charlie Wilson of the Gap Band, who like Khan, LaBelle and Franklin are still performing.  “The talent back in those days was unbelievable.“

Born in Philadelphia, Connors grew up in the projects just a few doors down from another favorite Philly son, Bill Cosby. While his was not a musical family, he gravitated to music and specifically jazz at a a young age, with musical influences Lee Morgan and the great McCoy Tyner, who used to rehearse across the street from him.

He was back in his hometown a few days ago, playing a sold-out three-night engagement with Jean Carne at the jazz club, Warm Daddy’s.  Connors has been touring since the March release of “Star Power” and says he’ll be doing even more dates next year.  Like most artists of his genre, he gives a slight edge in terms of excitement level to the European audiences. But, “with me no matter where we go Atlanta, Philly, Boston, San Francisco, people love Norman Connors,” he says. “I get a good vibe no matter where we go.”

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Monica Haynes is an award-winning writer and creator of The Gossip Diva web site and podcast and the I'm Just Sayin' Blog.  During her days as a newspaper reporter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, she covered Super Bowl XL in Detroit where she wrote the very popular "Mon in the Motor City" blog, Hurricane Katrina, the Jena 6, and a myriad of other topics and issues. Currently, she serves as publication consultant for The August Wilson Center for African American Culture, a freelance writer and owner of Mon Hay Media, which provides writing and editing services for small businesses and non-profits. monicahaynes30@yahoo.com