By Kristi York Wooten For the AJC June 16, 2010 When Harry Connick, Jr. takes the stage at Atlanta’s Chastain Park Amphitheatre Saturday night, it will mark 21 years to the day since he recorded “It Had to Be You” for the 1989 romcom “When Harry Met Sally.” Courtesy of PMK, BNC "Everything else falls in around that," acclaimed singer Harry Connick Jr. says of life with his wife (former model Jill Goodacre) and their three daughters. Related That film’s cadre of classic tunes (including the swinging “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” and “Our Love is Here to Stay”) thrust the then 22-year-old New Orleans piano-playing singer into the spotlight with a big-band bang. Now 42 and with loads of Grammys, an Emmy, and other film and TV credits, Connick is as happy razzing contestants on “American Idol” and cuttin’ up on the “Ellen” show as he is preparing for a July concert run on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theater. Some folks may pigeonhole him as a cheese ball crooner, but serious music fans appreciate his pedigree (his hip parents practiced law and owned a record store while he learned piano from jazz legend Ellis Marsalis); his impeccable taste (what other GenXer would list Harold Arlen and Irving Berlin as his favorite songwriters?); and, of course, that voice. Connick’s latest album, 2009’s “Your Songs,” is the product of a collaboration with 82-year-old music industry veteran Clive Davis and features new arrangements of songs from the Beatles, Billy Joel, Burt Bacharach and others. Connick phoned recently from New York to talk about “Your Songs,” his current tour and what else is new. Q: Have you heard Internet rumors that you’re on the short list to replace Simon Cowell as an “American Idol” judge? A: Nothing’s been offered. [Laughs.] It would be fun to think about, but it’s all rumor at this point. I had such a good time [as a mentor for season nine’s Sinatra Week], and I would consider it for sure. Q: What was it like working with famed producer Clive Davis on “Your Songs”? A: He has sort of a sixth sense about what people will like. I’ve always been concerned about making whatever kind of music I wanted to make. But he would say, ‘I think people would like it if you did it like this.’ I was sort of fascinated with how he went about the process. Q: Tell me about your favorite piano players and being taught by jazz family patriarch, Ellis Marsalis. A: I love James Booker, Dr. John, Professor Longhair, Bill Evans, Herbie, Monk‚ I could go on and on. But Ellis had a huge influence on me — the whole family [Wynton, Branford, et al.] did. Ellis is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, influences I’ve ever had. Q: How’s Musicians’ Village going? (Musicians’ Village is a project Connick and Branford Marsalis started in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity that provides affordable housing for musicians and others in New Orleans affected by Hurricane Katrina) A: In 2005, we set out to build 80 residences, and now we’re building a multimillion-dollar center for music. All the things we’ve set out to do, fortunately we’ve been able to do. Q: What do you think of Michael Bublé? A: He seems like a nice guy. I’ve never met him. I know he’s incredibly successful, and that’s awesome for him, but I don’t know anything about his music. Q: I take it you’re not a Hollywood guy? A: Not so much. I go there a lot for work, but I don’t need to live there. I’m happier on the East Coast. I’ve been up here [in the New York area] since 1986, so I’m pretty settled. Q: How’s family life treating you? A: That’s what it’s all about for me — my wife and kids [former model Jill Goodacre and young daughters Georgia, Sarah and Charlotte] are the center of my whole universe, and everything else falls in around that. Fortunately, we all understand that I love to do what I do, and there’s time for me to go out and work, and there’s time for me to come home. But really, they’re what make it all worthwhile. -------------------- Concert preview Harry Connick Jr. 8 p.m. June 19. $58-$88. Chastain Park Amphitheatre, 4469 Stella Drive, Atlanta. 404-233-2227, www.chastainseries.com .