Album: 20

Introduction
" 20" is the third studio album by American jazz musician and singer Harry Connick, Jr., released in 1988. The album title is a nod to Connick's age at the time of the album's release, making it a significant milestone in his musical profession. "20" includes a mix of initial structures and jazz standards, showcasing Connick's expertise as both a skilled pianist and a skilled vocalist.

Background and Production
After the success of his first 2 albums, Connick was given relative imaginative freedom for his third record. Working together when again with manufacturer Tracey Freeman, the duo put together a lineup of musicians that consisted of Ron Carter, piano; Ben Wolfe, bass; Herlin Riley, drums; Tony Dagradi, tenor sax; Jerome Richardson, tenor sax; Al Grey, trombone; Wynton Marsalis, trumpet; and Najee, flute.

The album was tape-recorded at RCA Studio B in New York City, with all tunes being produced and arranged by Harry Connick, Jr. himself. "20" features a mix of original compositions and jazz standards, with a specific focus on ballads and romantic tunes. The arrangements showcase a range of jazz designs, varying from traditional New Orleans jazz and swing to more modern blend styles.

Track Listing and Composition
The album includes a total of 11 tracks, 6 of which are Connick's original compositions, while the remaining five are covers of jazz requirements:

1. "I'm Walkin'" (Fats Domino, Dave Bartholomew).
2. "Chattanooga Choo Choo" (Mack Gordon, Harry Warren).
3. "Somewhere My Love" (Maurice Jarre).
4. "The Gypsy" (Billy Reid).
5. "If I Were a Bell" (Frank Loesser).
6. "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans" (Henry Creamer, Turner Layton).
7. "Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" (L. Russell Brown, Irwin Levine).
8. "There Is Always One More Time" (Doc Pomus, Ken Hirsch).
9. "New Orleans" (Hoagy Carmichael).
10. "Avalon" (Al Jolson, Buddy DeSylva, Vincent Rose).
11. "What a Wonderful World" (George David Weiss, Bob Thiele).

The album kicks things off with a vibrant rendition of Fats Domino's "I'm Walkin'", a feel-good event of New Orleans' jazz heritage. "Chattanooga Choo Choo" has a more mellow, swing feel, while "Somewhere My Love" is a rich, romantic piece that showcases Connick's piano abilities. "The Gypsy" includes visitor singer Branford Marsalis on saxophone, who includes a soulful touch to the track.

Original composition "There Is Always One More Time", an emotive ballad, displays Connick's songwriting capabilities. The album wanes with the Louis Armstrong timeless "What a Wonderful World", which is rendered in a magnificently easy piano-vocal arrangement.

Reception
" 20" was met with vital acclaim, with critics praising Connick's musicianship and his capability to breathe new life into timeless jazz requirements. The album peaked at No. 19 on Billboard magazine's Top Jazz Albums chart, showing its business success.

For many years, "20" has amassed a reputation as one of Harry Connick, Jr.'s most substantial and long-lasting works, showcasing his remarkable talents as a pianist, vocalist, and arranger. The album serves as a fitting testimony to Connick's musical ability and versatility, developing him as a true force in the jazz world.