THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER

The Manhattan Transfer

Celebrating their 50th Anniversary, The Manhattan Transfer continues to set the standard as one of the world’s greatest and most innovative vocal bands. Winners of ten Grammy Awards, with millions of records sold worldwide, this amazing quartet is building upon the extraordinary legacy created by founder Tim Hauser who organized the four-part harmony group along with Janis Siegel (alto), Alan Paul (tenor), and Laurel Masse (soprano) on October 1, 1972. Cheryl Bentyne (soprano) replaced Masse in 1979, and Trist Curless (bass) replaced Tim Hauser following his passing on October 16, 2014.

Says Alan Paul. “It’s astounding to me that the group has been able to create and share our musical harmony for five decades. It is truly a blessing.” Adds Siegel, “We are proud to still be here through all the changes. We stayed true to ourselves. What The Manhattan Transfer does on stage brings so much joy, sharing music we love.”

Defying categorization, The Manhattan Transfer became the first vocal group to win Grammy Awards in the pop and jazz categories in one year, 1981: Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for “Boy From New York City” (a cover of the 1964 song by The Ad Libs), and Best Jazz Performance by a Duo or Group for “Until I Met You (Corner Pocket).”

“We were always very eclectic musically,” says Paul, “and we did not want to be limited or locked into one style of music. We wanted to make great records and believed that excellence existed in all genres of music. We have always had the freedom to explore and put our harmonic stamp on whatever we did.” Siegel emphasizes the group’s unmatched ability to excel performing a wide variety of music. “We didn’t say we were a pop group. We didn’t say we were a jazz group. We’re a vocal group.”

Beginning with their first performances in the early 1970’s, the members of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame have become cornerstones of contemporary music, known for their amazing versatility, incorporating pop, jazz, R&B, rock and roll, swing, symphonic, and a cappella music. The original group consisted of Hauser, Siegel, Paul, and Laurel Massé. After being signed by the legendary Ahmet Ertegun to Atlantic Records, The Manhattan Transfer made their recording debut with their self-titled album in 1975.

“It took a while to get a deal,” Paul remembers. “We were selling out clubs in New York City, but no one would sign us. The labels thought we were not commercial and didn’t want to take a risk.” Bette Midler was a friend of Tim’s and through her manager, Aaron Russo, invited Ahmet (Ertegun) to our show in Philly and the rest is history.”