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| Harry Connick Jr. to Perform in New Orleans Realtors Conference & Expo Singer, composer and Broadway performer Harry Connick Jr., with his unique contemporary style, will perform on Nov. 12 during the Realtors Conference & Expo in the Crescent City. Realtors will also sponsor the construction of seven Habitat for Humanity homes at the "Musicians Village" in the Big Easy. Connick and another New Orleans jazz great, Branford Marsalis, are honorary chairs of the Habitat's Operation Home Delivery effort, which includes 80 Habitat homes for displaced musicians and a community center, the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music. Connick and NAR were among the first responders to assist the city following Hurricane Katrina. In addition, NAR, state and territorial associations of Realtors will sponsor 54 Habitat homes in the Gulf Coast area, including the seven in the Musician's Village, as part of the Realtor-Habitat Partnership for Gulf Coast Recovery program. For the past six years, NAR has sponsored Habitat builds in each of the cities hosting its annual conference. NAR members have contributed $5.6 million from more than 13, 700 donors to Katrina victims through its Realtor Relief Foundation. Earlier, NAR also provided $1.7 million in housing relief to those left homeless in South Asia due to the December 2004 tsunami. Last fall, NAR President Tom Stevens announced that the national organization would honor its commitment to storm-ravaged New Orleans and hold its annual convention there. "Realtors build communities, " said Stevens. "We are honored to hold our 2006 convention in this unique city and do what we can to restore New Orleans. Realtors love coming to this city. And we love to listen to Harry Connick Jr." Connick's versatile creative energy has led to more than $20 million in album sales, three Grammy awards and nominations for Tony, Emmy, Oscar, Golden Globe and Cable Ace awards. This year, he made his Broadway debut as Sid Sorokin in "The Pajama Game" to rave reviews. He achieved widespread success as a musician when he scored the 1989 smash-hit movie "When Harry Met Sally." His movie credits include starring roles in "Memphis Belle" in 1990, and "Little Man Tate, " "Copycat, " "Independence Day" and John Grisham's "Mickey." He has also contributed music to "Godfather III, " "Sleepless in Seattle" and "The Mask." As a TV performer, he has starred in two holiday specials built around his best-selling albums, including "Harry for the Holidays." He also starred opposite Glenn Close in the ABC adaptation of the musical "South Pacific, " and has played Dr. Leo Markus on the NBC hit series "Will & Grace." write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |