The Manhattan Transfer
BIO
The Manhattan Transfer is the most successful vocal jazz group in music history and has set milestones in jazz and pop. The 29 albums released by the quartet have sold in their millions. They’ve won 11 Grammys and countless other awards, even topped the DownBeat and Playboy Jazz Polls for a decade straight. TMT continues traveling the world, performing for a large fan base. The group is getting ready for their 50th anniversary in the 2022/2023 season.
The Manhattan Transfer remains a cornerstone for great pop and jazz hits, a legacy that the group has cemented since their first recording 49 years ago. The legendary quartet has been awarded 10 Grammy Awards of 20 nominations and has been inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. Trist Curless has now officially become a member of the group, joining Janis Siegel, Alan Paul, Cheryl Bentyne, all of whom are conscious of maintaining the integrity and artistry left by founding member Tim Hauser who passed away in 2014.
The Manhattan Transfer was born when Tim Hauser was paying his bills by driving a New York City cab while aspiring to form a harmony vocal quartet that could authentically embrace varied musical styles, and still create something wholly unique in the field of American popular song. Through driving a taxi, he met the future members of the legendary group: Laurel Massé and Janis Siegel. Alan Paul, who was appearing in the Broadway cast of Grease at the time, was recommended as the additional male voice and the four became The Manhattan Transfer on October 1, 1972. Cheryl Bentyne joined The Manhattan Transfer in 1979, replacing Laurel.
In 1974 the group began performing regularly throughout New York City at Trude Heller’s, Mercer Arts Center, Max’s Kansas City, Club 82, and other cabaret venues. By the end of the year they were the number one live attraction in New York City. They were signed to Atlantic Records and released their self-titled debut in 1975. The second single, a remake of the gospel classic Operator, gave the group their first national hit.
1979′s Extensions earned The Transfer another smash with Twilight Zone/Twilight Tone. The vocal remake of the classic Birdland became recognized as the group’s anthem and earned them their first two Grammy Awards. In 1981, they became the first group ever to win Grammy Awards in both Pop and Jazz categories in the same year – Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for Boy From New York City and Best Jazz Performance Duo or Group for Until I Met You (Corner Pocket). The 12 Grammy nominations they received for Vocalese in 1985 made it second to Michael Jackson’s Thriller as the most nominated album in one year ever.
They are responsible for 19 singles and 29 albums over their stellar career and their music has been featured in major feature films and television shows. The group has also recorded with an impressive roster of artists including Tony Bennett, Bette Midler, Smokey Robinson, Laura Nyro, Phil Collins, BB King, Chaka Khan, James Taylor, and Frankie Valli.
With sold-out world tours and worldwide record sales in their millions, The Manhattan Transfer continues to bring unique and extraordinary melodic and jazz infused vocals to new and established audiences that span generations.
The Manhattan Transfer was born when Tim Hauser was paying his bills by driving a New York City cab while aspiring to form a harmony vocal quartet that could authentically embrace varied musical styles, and still create something wholly unique in the field of American popular song. Through driving a taxi, he met the next members of the legendary group — Laurel Massé and Janis Siegel. Alan Paul, who was appearing in the Broadway cast of Grease at the time, was recommended as the additional male voice and the four became The Manhattan Transfer on October 1, 1972. Cheryl Bentyne joined The Manhattan Transfer in 1979, replacing Laurel.
In 1974 the group began performing regularly throughout New York City at Trude Heller’s, Mercer Arts Center, Max’s Kansas City, Club 82, and other cabaret venues. By the end of the year they were the number one live attraction in New York City. They were signed to Atlantic Records and released their self-titled debut in 1975. The second single, a remake of the gospel classic Operator, gave the group their first national hit.
1979′s Extensions earned The Transfer another smash with Twilight Zone/Twilight Tone. The vocal remake of the classic Birdland became recognized as the group’s anthem and earned them their first two Grammy Awards. In 1981, they became the first group ever to win Grammy Awards in both Pop and Jazz categories in the same year – Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for Boy From New York City and Best Jazz Performance Duo or Group for Until I Met You (Corner Pocket). The 12 Grammy nominations they received for Vocalese in 1985 made it second to Michael Jackson’s Thriller as the most nominated album in one year ever.
They are responsible for 19 singles and 29 albums over their stellar career and their music has been featured in major feature films and television shows. The group has also recorded with an impressive roster of artists including Tony Bennett, Bette Midler, Smokey Robinson, Laura Nyro, Phil Collins, BB King, Chaka Khan, James Taylor, and Frankie Valli.
Most recently, they toured with the gospel/R&B vocal group Take 6 in a series of popular and critically acclaimed shows.
With sold-out world tours and worldwide record sales in the millions, The Manhattan Transfer continues to bring unique and extraordinary melodic and jazz infused vocals to new and established audiences that span generations.
