Chuck Connors

A consistent performer on the bass trombone, and a longtime member of The Ellington orchestra, Chuck Connors has been better known for his section work than his solo ability. He earned his degree from Boston Conservatory in the mid-'50s, then worked for nine months with Dizzy Gillespie in 1957. Connors joined Duke Ellington in 1961. He was with the orchestra until the mid-'70s, remaining for a limited time after Duke died and Mercer assumed leadership. Connors not only recorded often with Ellington, but with many band members on their sessions; among them Ray Nance, Cat Anderson, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves and Clark Terry in the '60s and '70s. He and Terry co-led a touring band in 1974, and visited Europe twice in the '70s. Connors can be heard on numerous Ellington recordings on CD, as well as Hodges sessions. His best known solo was on "Perdido," from the album The Popular Duke Ellington on RCA in the mid-'60s. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide