Harry Connick, Jr.'s Occasion: Connick on Piano, Vol.2, the follow-up to 2003's Other Hours: Connick on Piano, Vol. 1, finds the jazz pianist in an intimate duo setting with saxophonist and Marsalis Music label owner Branford Marsalis. While well known as a jazz vocalist, Connick's intention on these volumes is to focus solely on his abilities as both an instrumentalist and composer. As such, Occasion is a cerebral, intimate, and heartfelt recording with Connick and Marsalis holding musical conversations with each other on original songs. In fact, as with Other Hours, which featured songs culled from Connick's 2001 Tony-nominated musical Thou Shalt Not, many of the songs here play as instrumental readings of new American popular songs. Which is to say that Connick has a deft knack for sweet and gorgeous melody. Couple that with Marsalis' and Connick's superb improvisational chops and you get a supremely listenable occasion with both musicians ...