The play has a play-within-a-play format, with characters Jim Dunn as the "producer" and Jaybird as the "writer" attempting to stage a production about the underbelly of society using "real" addicts. Some of the addicts are jazz musicians. They all (except for the "producer", "writer", and two "photographers") have one thing in common: they are waiting for their drug dealer, their "connection". The dialogue of the characters is interspersed with jazz music.
The score to accompany the Los Angeles production was performed by
Dexter Gordon who also played "Number One Musician". He later recorded several pieces from this production for his
Blue Note release Dexter Calling... (1961).
Quote (from the liner notes to the Blue Note album):
"Soul Sister," the original that launches the first side is one of the themes Dexter wrote for the score of the Hollywood version of The Connection in which he had an acting, playing, and writing role; it is the equivalent of Freddie Redd's "(Theme for) Sister Salvation"...
"I Want More", the significantly titled Gordon theme that closes the first side, is the West Coast equivalent of "O.D. (Overdose)"...
"Ernie's Theme", is the last of the three themes on this LP from Dexter's Connection score. It parallels "Music Forever".[2]
Kenneth Tynan, preface, The Connection, Grove Press, 1960
Lionel Abel,
Partisan Review, Winter, 1960 - "What adds to the play's power is that the characters are so like other people, though in such a different situation from most people."
Ira Gitler, Liner notes to Blue Note BLP 4027/BST 84027