Chris Connor can adapt a song to her unique vocal style in such a way that makes her versions of familiar classics stand out. She explains to Billy Taylor that the lyrics and melody are very important to her when she selects songs to perform, because they help her feel the song. She has an affinity for performing excellent arrangements of standards by composers like Cole Porter and George Gershwin.

In the Terrace Theater at the Kennedy Center, Connor demonstrates these qualities with "Summertime". She then pulls off a rendition of "Blue Moon" that epitomizes her unique approach to a standard. Billy Taylor exclaims, "You can take a song that has...[to audience] everything has been done to that song except what she did!" Based on the thunderous applause, the audience’s approval was apparent.

Connor credits much of her development as a vocalist to years of touring with big bands. She started in Kansas City with Claude Thornhill’s band, and then was with Stan Kenton’s band. She never studied singing. The voice came naturally, but working with bands was the key to her training.

Billy comments that in rehearsal and on-stage, Connor knows how to lead a band through her arrangements. She mentions watching Stan Kenton conduct as a valuable experience. She says, "He was like God" when he conducted. In addition, the complexity of her arrangements and tempo changes require that she demand a lot from a band compared to other singers. But it is the audience that benefits, and this is particularly the case in her performance at the Kennedy Center.

Connor’s performance also includes renditions of "Cheek to Cheek", "This Can’t Be Love" by Rogers and Hart, "Just One of Those Things", "Angel Eyes" by Matt Dennis, "Foggy Day" by George Gershwin, and "I Get a Kick Out of You".