Manhattan Transfer

Tonight on Fridays Live, SFJAZZ presents 10-time GRAMMY winners The Manhattan Transfer. From their 1975 breakthrough single “Operator” to the smash “Birdland” and into the 21st century, the Transfer has made an indelible contribution to vocal jazz. Founded by Tim Hauser in 1972, the four-part harmony group originally featured Janis Siegel, Alan Paul, and Laurel Massé. Cheryl Bentyne replaced Massé in 1979, and Trist Curless took over for Hauser following his passing in 2014. Last year, in anticipation of the group’s golden anniversary and international farewell tour, the foursome released Fifty, a consistently swinging album making it abundantly clear that no one is going to take the place of The Manhattan Transfer.

The genre's most important keepers of the flame
The New York Times

ABOUT THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER
The ride is ending for The Manhattan Transfer, but the legendary jazz ensemble has kept the vocalese flame burning brightly for half a century, and there will be fireworks aplenty before they’re done.

With 10 GRAMMY Awards, including an unprecedented double win in 1981 in both popular and jazz categories, The Manhattan Transfer draws on a vast trove of hits and jazz favorites. From their 1975 gospel-powered breakthrough single “Operator,” and “Twilight Zone/Twilight Tone” through the vocalese masterpiece “Birdland,” the Transfer has made an indelible contribution to vocal jazz.

Founded by Tim Hauser in 1972, the four-part harmony group originally featured Janis Siegel, Alan Paul, and Laurel Massé. Cheryl Bentyne replaced Massé in 1979, and Trist Curless took over Hauser’s chair following his passing in 2014.

As members pursued solo projects the Transfer’s output slowed in the 21st century. But with arrangements and keyboards by the titular legend albums like 2009’s The Chick Corea Songbook left no doubt they had lost none of their creative mojo.

Last year, in anticipation of the group’s golden anniversary and international farewell tour, the foursome released Fifty, a consistently swinging album making it abundantly clear that no one is going to take the place of The Manhattan Transfer.