Chris Connor, a breathy jazz singer whose powerful caressing voice could ignite a big band as easily as steam up a trio or quartet, died on Saturday of cancer in Toms River, N.J. She was 81.
Unfairly compared over the years to June Christy and Anita O'Day—both of whom preceded her in Stan Kenton's big band—Chris actually was in a league of her own. Thou…
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