Norman Oconnor

About

Roman Catholic clergyman who became an authority on jazz and earned the nickname The Jazz Priest.

Before Fame

He spent time with local Detroit jazz bands while studying for the clergy, and then moved to New York to direct radio and television of New York's Paulist Fathers.

Trivia

At a time when jazz music was considered improper by the church, he helped popularize it with performances and concerts, along the way contributing articles for the Boston Globe and Down Beat magazine.

Family Life

He was born in Detroit, Michigan.

Associated With

He was on the board of the Newport Beach Jazz Festival, which featured musicians like Dave McKenna and Louis Armstrong.