Theater News

Jazz Singer Chris Connor Dies at 81

Jazz vocalist Chris Connor died on Saturday, August 29 at the Community Medical Center in Toms River, New Jersey following a long bout with cancer. She was 81.

Connor, who was born Mary Loutsenhizer in Kansas City, Missouri, first came to prominence with the orchestras of Claude Thornhill and Stan Kenton, and went on to record dozens of successful albums and singles. Among her many hits were “All About Ronnie,” “Trust in Me” and “I Miss You So.” She played such notable venues as Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center, along with the nation’s top jazz clubs.

She is survived by a nephew and her longtime companion and manager Lori Muscarelle.