| Connection | |
| Type: | Studio album |
| Artist: | Don Ellis |
| Cover: | Connection (Don Ellis album).jpg |
| Released: | 1972 |
| Recorded: | 1972 |
| Genre: | Jazz |
| Length: | 46:37 |
| Label: | Columbia KC 31766 |
| Producer: | Teo Macero |
| Chronology: | Don Ellis |
| Prev Title: | Tears of Joy |
| Prev Year: | 1971 |
| Next Title: | Soaring |
| Next Year: | 1973 |
Connection is an album by trumpeter/bandleader Don Ellis recorded in 1972 and released on the Columbia label.[1] The album features big band arrangements of pop hits of the day along with Ellis' "Theme from The French Connection" which won him a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement in 1973[2]
Thom Jurek of Allmusic said "Ellis devotees will no doubt delight in Connection because of its abundance of sass, humor, and imagination, while jazz purists will shake their heads in disgust and others will greet the album with mix of curious bewilderment, a good-natured (hopefully) chuckle, and a perverse kind of glee". On All About Jazz, Jim Santella observed "the unique character of Ellis' earlier work is missing on this recently reissued recording from 1972. He and the bandmembers solo less often, preferring instead to let the music flow with popular melodies. Vocals are added to several selections. Electric guitar and electric bass take center stage much of the time. Keyboards surround the band with lush scenery. Still, some of Ellis' trademark features are still there. His trumpet rages powerfully on "Superstar" and his flugelhorn floats gently on "Alone Again (Naturally)"."[3]