‘American Idol’ Judge Harry Connick, Jr. Says Regional Musical Styles Lacking In Auditions

Harry Connick, Jr., is from New Orleans, often cited as the birthplace of jazz. The city’s distinctive musical culture had a heavy influence on Connick’s own musical style. That connection between place and musicianship was not something Connick saw in the early rounds of this year’s American Idol auditions.

“People were coming in from New Orleans and surrounding areas, but there was nothing indigenous about the music… We went to Bourbon Street in my world. It was sad that nobody came in really representing New Orleans… There’s blessings to accessibility, but one of the great drawbacks is that everything has become melted down. I was hoping to really see people who looked like they were from New Orleans, and they could have been from anywhere.”

Connick made the statements on the American Idol panel at the Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena, California, on Saturday. The panel discussed how would-be performers have been influenced by modern technology, which means they have access to a greater range of musical genres but are less comfortable interacting with other emerging artists. Jennifer Lopez said that collaboration is vital.

“There is something about going to a studio and getting out and being with other musicians and writers when you are making music.”

Among the changes to this year’s American Idol is a judges’ interview with the top 48 before they are cut down to 24. These late-stage contestants also have to give a live performance at the House of Blues in Los Angeles to help the judges decide who to keep around for viewer voting.

American Idol executive producer Trish Kinane expressed excitement at the show’s compact time frame this season. Idol has been reduced from 55 television hours to 41, and will eventually be on one night a week instead of two. The combination of performance and elimination in one episode will be used to dramatic effect, according to Kinane.

“The one thing I can tell you is that we’re not going to do the elimination at the top of the show. We’ve got some cool ways to incorporate the drama throughout the course of the [episode]. We’re actually rather pleased that they’re down to one per week. We’re going to have all of the drama of an elimination, as well as the performances for America to vote on for the next week. It’s going to be jam packed.”

Scott Borchetta, president and CEO of Big Machine Label Group, is coming on board as mentor to the American Idol contestants. This year’s winner will get a record deal with Big Machine in partnership with 19 Entertainment and Universal Music Group.

American Idol airs on Fox.