Ep 16. Norman Conners

Norman Connors has a jazz background, but he is one of the most recorded drummers in R&B history. He has worked with such luminaries as Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, and Freddie Hubbard. He started as a sideman and session musician and made the transition to bandleader in the 1970s. He became known for his unique fusion of jazz, funk, and soul, and scored a number of hits throughout the 70s and 80s. However, despite his early success, Connors found himself largely forgotten by the 1990s. This episode of "Unsung" takes a look at his career, his influence on R&B, and the reasons for his ultimate decline. Throughout the episode, the viewer is treated to interviews with Connors himself, as well as with those who knew him and worked with him, such as Freddie Jackson, Ray Parker Jr., and Jean Carn. They discuss his early musical influences, including his jazz heroes Art Blakey and Max Roach, as well as his time spent as a touring drummer for soul singers Eddie Floyd and the Impressions.

In addition to his work as a drummer, the episode delves into his work as a bandleader, with particular emphasis on his 1978 album "This is Your Life," which spawned a number of hits and came to define his sound. It is this album and its distinctive style that is credited with inspiring many R&B musicians to come, including Teddy Riley and Babyface. His move into production work is also discussed, including his collaborations with such artists as Phyllis Hyman and Michael Henderson. However, as his production work began to dry up and his own music fell out of favor, Connors began to fade from the public eye. The episode explores the reasons for this fall from grace, including challenges with substance abuse and mental health issues. Despite these setbacks, the episode makes clear that Norman Connors' influence on R&B and jazz cannot be overstated, and his lasting impact continues to be felt in the music of today.

Overall, this episode provides a fascinating look at a talented musician whose contributions have been largely overlooked by the mainstream. Through interviews with both Connors himself and his contemporaries, we gain insight into his unique sound and the factors that contributed to his rise and fall. For anyone interested in R&B, funk, or jazz, and the figures who helped shape those genres, this episode of "Unsung" is a must-see.