Harry Connick Jr. scheduled to play solo set at Carnegie Hall
Harry Connick Jr. will perform at Carnegie Hall on May 22 and 23, 2026, fulfilling a promise to his late mother, Anita‑Francis Livingston Connick. The concerts were scheduled nearly seven years ago. The New York venue has long been considered a career milestone for musicians, and Connick has stated he will appear on stage only for this special occasion.
Connick, a 71‑year‑old singer, pianist, and actor, has released more than two dozen albums and earned three Grammy Awards. He has also acted in films such as Independence Day and the television series Will & Grace. His mother died in 1981 when he was 13; she would have turned 100 on the day of his first Carnegie Hall performance.
During the concerts, Connick will play “Babe: Elaboratio,” an orchestral piece he composed to honor his mother. The work blends piano, full orchestra, and big‑band elements and is part of a broader tribute that includes a forthcoming book of the same title, set to release on September 29, 2026.
Connick has emphasized that the event will be an unplanned, in‑the‑moment experience; he intends to avoid anticipating emotions beforehand. The performance marks the first time he will step onto the Carnegie Hall stage.