Our Conversation Piece victim... er, guest this week is the one and only Harry Connick Jr., movie star, crooner, piano player, composer, conductor, bandleader, father and supermodel's husband. He's done it all - and he's only 31 years old! He denies he's sold his soul to the devil.

With a performing history that goes back to his childhood, playing with an established jazz band at the age of 10, the New Orleans native attended the prestigious Manhattan School of Music and was signed to the Columbia jazz label shortly thereafter. His big break came in 1989 when he was asked by director Rob Reiner to record the soundtrack to When Harry Met Sally.

It was beautiful record, a perfect fit and the "new and improved Frank Sinatra" was born. Connick has since released more than a dozen albums, from experimental pop to jazz, including his latest swingin' big band CD, Come By Me. His film roles include Hope Floats, Copycat and Independence Day. He stars in the upcoming film Wayward Son, in which he plays a convicted rapist who's done his time and is trying to get his life back together.

Meanwhile, Connick and His Big Band are hitting the road. They play Wednesday in the Jubilee Auditorium. Here's a quick look inside the mind of one swingin' dude:

1. What was the last movie you really loved?
Raging Bull.

2. What was the first album you ever owned?
Kinda Blue, by Miles Davis.

3. What was the last book you read?
Therese Raquin, by Zola.

4. What's your favourite place to eat?
My dad's house in New Orleans. He can cook.

5. Do you have a pet peeve?
Stupid questions.

6. What's your idea of the perfect Sunday?
Ice cream or day of the week? Spending it with my family.

7. What's your favourite junk food?
Skittles, the regular kind.

8. What are you doing on New Year's Eve, 1999?
I'll be performing at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas.

9. What gadget or gizmo can you not live without?
My computer.

10. Do you have a hobby or habit you think would surprise people?
I like to box. I did an amateur fight about three years ago. (He won.)

11. What's your favourite piece of clothing?
My R.M. Williams shoes.

12. What would you change about yourself if you could?
I get a little impatient with people sometimes.

13. Whom do you most admire?
My wife (model Jill Goodacre).

14. If you are reincarnated, what would you be?
I think I'd be a piano.

15. Have you ever been mistaken for another celebrity?
Yeah, Troy Aikman, quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys.

16. Do you have a favourite quote?
My dad always said, "be nice to people." I like that.

17. What's your greatest weakness?
My wife, again.

18. Are you worried about Y2K?
No. Zero. Not at all.

19. Is New Orleans as crazy as everyone says it is?
And more...

20. What's the most romantic thing you've ever done?
I got married.