MANILA, Philippines - Harry Connick Jr. was only 3 when he learned to play the piano. At 6, he gave his first public performance. By the time he was 10, he had recorded with a jazz band.

For one who was born in the birthplace of jazz, New Orleans, and raised by lawyer-parents who fully supported his artistic inclinations, it was no wonder that he became a successful musician. Because he was good-looking, too, movie roles came naturally as well.

After 23 albums (10 went to number one in the charts), 16 film credits and seeing the world as a touring musician, Connick Jr., now 40, is performing on March 15 at the PICC, with his own big band.

Your parents owned a record store. Was that the reason you took music seriously?
My parents had the record store long before I was born, but I remember there was always music playing in the house and I grew up in New Orleans, a city where there was music everywhere. So it?s a combination of having very supportive parents and being around music all the time that inspired me to play the piano.

Tell us about growing up and pursuing a music career. Did you have as much fun as the regular guys?
I had a wild time, a great childhood?and I went to normal schools. Much of my free time was spent playing music. I got the chance to play with a lot of great, great musicians.

How did you deal with initial success, like when the ?Harry Met Sally? soundtrack went double-platinum?
I wanted it to be successful but I had no idea it was going to be that huge. My parents raised me up to be grateful for anything that could happen later in life. I think I handled that pretty well. It was very exciting and it was a great chance to play music all over the country.

What were the low points in your career and how did you overcome them?
Some people may have a record that doesn?t sell well and they get very upset. I had a record that flopped, but it didn?t bother me. I had a movie that didn?t do well at the box office but it didn?t bother me, either.

You've experimented with different music forms like funk. How did you take it when some of your fans reportedly did not appreciate it?
I have to be happy first. If I?m not doing something that makes me happy, I absolutely can?t check the audience. I was well aware that many people did not like it when I was playing funk music, but I was okay with that because it was something that I wanted to do. My record company was happy. In fact there were some people who liked it even more than current music.

Why do you love jazz? And is there anything that you hate about it, too?
You know, I don?t really hate anything about jazz music. Sometimes I don?t like the way I play because jazz is very spontaneous and sometimes you don?t live up to your own expectations. There are times when you?re trying to create something and it?s not coming out right. But I don?t hate it; that?s just part of the process of playing jazz.
I love the fact that it?s so free. It?s been so many years that I?ve been trying to learn how to play it, and now it?s... so satisfying. It really is fun.

What's the greatest thing that has happened to you lately?
There are four greatest things that have happened. One was marrying my wife and the rest is about the birth of my three children. It doesn?t get any better than that. My last child was born five years ago and a lot of things have happened since then.

Your latest album ?Oh My Nola? (Sony BMG) was released only last year.
That was a really fun record. It reminded me a lot of my youth because I played so many kinds of music while growing up? jazz, smooth jazz, modern jazz, R&B, gospel ... It?s kind of nice to get back to the sounds that I haven?t played in a long time.

Are you doing another movie after ?P.S. I Love You??
I just filmed ?Chills in Miami? with Renee Zellweger. She did some great acting and she?s a lot of fun to be with. I think it will be out sometime this year.

What are your thoughts on your forthcoming concert in Manila?
I?ve never been to the Philippines so I?m really, really excited. One thing I could say to the people is that they?re never gonna see somebody who is more excited than me. I wish I could come over there right now.