Smokey Mary

Released in 2013 to coincide with the 20th anniversary of Harry Connick, Jr.'s Krewe of Orpheus, Smokey Mary is a significant pivot from his Great American Songbook standards toward his roots in New Orleans funk and big band swing. Named after the signature float in the Orpheus parade, the album serves as a sonic documentary of the city's festive spirit. While Connick is often categorized as a traditional pop vocalist, this record highlights his prowess as a composer and arranger of complex, syncopated brass music. The tracks are largely original compositions that blend the sophistication of big band jazz with the grit of street-level R&B. Critically, it was praised for its authenticity and high-energy performances, standing out in his discography as one of his most rhythmically adventurous and least commercial-leaning projects. It remains a definitive modern example of the New Orleans big band sound.