Can't connect to 64 Bit MySQL in 64 Bit Java-Program (2 replies)

I installed the 64 Bit version of MySQ 5.5 on a windows7 64 Bit machine. I also use Java 8, 64 Bit Edition.
Everything works fine.
But I can't connect through a java program to MySQL. There is no support to the jdbc-odbc bridge in java 8. So I tried to download the connector/j 64 Bit. But seems to me, no 64 bit versions are offered.
I think, I need the "Connector/J 5.1.34" for Windows 64Bit and(!) the corresponding JAR-FILES ! !
If there is another way to connect from java-program to the MySQL DB, please tell me, how to do that.
Please help me.
With kind regards,
Michael Buballa