"Everything I have done revolves around the New Orleans experience," confesses Harry Connick, Jr., Now Orleans native and heir to that city's incomparable musical legacy. Until now, people the world over have known - and loved - Harry for his brilliant take on swing, jazz, and big band music. But with the release of his latest album, SHE, Harry exits 57th Street and cruises directly down to Bourbon Street.

Produced by Tracey Freeman, with music by Harry and lyrics by Ramsey McLean, SHE marks the first time Harry Connick, Jr., has recorded an album of pure New Orleans music. Accompanied by his newly-formed funk band, Harry explores a mind-boggling variety of styles on the album, from funky rockin' instrumentals to hushed ballads to esoteric recitations. Yet every song lies within the framework of the rootsy New Orleans style that comes so naturally to Harry Connick, Jr.

Electric guitars and a pop feel may seem atypical of Connick, but the artist himself knows otherwise. "This is music I've played my whole life," says Harry, "and I thought now was as good a time as any to make an album." From the opening track, it's clear Connick set out to have fun, and songs like "Here Comes The Big Parade," the rapturous "She," "That Party," and the wry "To Love The Language" embody a boisterous spirit. "(I Could Only) Whisper Your Name," the album's first single, grooves with a full horn section, while "Trouble" is a sly spare dialogue between Harry on vocals and piano with the congas. Ballads like "Honestly Now (Safety's Just Danger…Out of Place)" ratchet down the mood, while the instrumentals, "Funky Dunky" and "Joe Slam and the Spaceship" prove raucous enough for a Mardi Gras parade. Harry closes the album by playing every instrument on the song "Booker", a tribute to one of his first piano teachers, the late New Orleans piano genius, James Booker.

This summer, Harry's song "(I Could Only) Whisper Your Name" will also be included on Columbia Records' album of music from New Line Cinema's highly-anticipated action-comedy "The Mask," starring Jim Carrey, destined to be one of the season's box office champs. "I think Jim Carrey is a brilliant comedian," says Harry, "and I'm proud to have been asked to contribute to the film."

SHE was cut in a converted New Orleans warehouse, and utilized strictly local musicians, some of whom Harry's known his whole life. Players on the album include bassist George Porter, Jr., (an original member of the Meters), guitarist Jonathan Dubose, drummer David Russell Batiste, Jr., Leroy Jones on trumpet, drummer Raymond Weber, trombonist Mark Mullins, bassist Tony Hall, Alonzo Bowels on sax, and the legendary Joseph "Zigaboo" Modeliste on drums. Connick played organ, piano, Fender Rhodes, and clavinet on the album as well as sang.

In late 1993, Harry released the platinum-certified WHEN MY HEART FINDS CHRISTMAS, which proved to be the best-selling holiday album of the season. His CBS-TV Christmas special, featuring Carol Burnett and Aaron Neville, also emerged a ratings winner, and will be available on home video in time for Christmas 1994. Earlier in 1994, Harry married the love of his life, Jill Goodacre, but the joys of a quiet home life to elude him as he maintains his breakneck pace of writing, recording, and touring.

Above all, Harry Connick, Jr., is one of those rare individuals: a gifted artist blessedly free of inner demons, his love of life, family, and music have sustained him and taken him to the pinnacle of success. Nevertheless, he is propelled by a musical restlessness that happily keeps his friends and fans guessing. "I'm the kind of person who's always changing it up," he says. SHE proves beyond a doubt Harry means what he says.