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PEOPLE & ARTS Thursday 13 april 2017

Harry Connick Jr. to sing national anthem at Kentucky Derby

BRUCE SCHREINER spring at the New Orleans
Associated Press Jazz and Heritage Festival
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — — the annual celebration
Harry Connick Jr. knows his of music known as Jazz
way around a racetrack, Fest.
having watched the horses “I’ve played in front of
with his dad at Fair Grounds some pretty big crowds,
Race Course in New Or- but I’m sure this one will be
leans. one of the best,” he said of
The Grammy and Emmy his Churchill Downs gig.
award-winning entertain- Churchill’s invitation was
er will make it to horse rac- popular with another mem-
ing’s biggest stage next ber of his family.
month when he sings the “My wife, Jill, has always
national anthem at the wanted to go to the Ken-
Kentucky Derby. tucky Derby,” he said. “That
The jazzman, actor and for- was an easy ‘yes.’”
mer “American Idol” judge He has some deep family
will perform the anthem in connections to horse rac-
the Derby Winner’s Circle ing in his hometown of New
at Churchill Downs on May Orleans. “My dad is a huge
6. His performance before race fan,” he said. “I have
more than 160,000 fans will nice memories of going to
be broadcast live as part the Fair Grounds with him.” In this Aug. 3, 2016, file photo, Harry Connick Jr. participates in the “Harry” panel during the NBC
of NBC’s coverage of the Connick will be the ninth Television Critics Association summer press tour in Beverly Hills, Calif. Associated Press
143rd running of the Derby. artist to perform the an-
Connick, who has per- them since Churchill Downs
formed the anthem at the started the tradition in 2009. year at the Kentucky Der- them singers include Lady nick’s daytime talk-variety
Super Bowl and World Se- “He’s one of the finest en- by,” said Churchill Downs Antebellum, Mary J. Blige, show, titled “Harry,” result-
ries, said it will be his first tertainers in the world and track President Kevin Jordin Sparks, Rascal Flatts ed in five Emmy nomina-
time at the Derby. He’s also his performance will help Flanery. and LeAnn Rimes. tions, including a nomina-
scheduled to perform this make 2017 another great Previous Derby national an- The debut season of Con- tion for best host.q