The Manhattan Transfer

The Manhattan Transfer has achieved an incomparable career of pop and jazz hits, a legacy that defines the group. The legendary quartet has won 10 GRAMMY Awards out of 20 nominations and has been inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. In 1981, they became the first group ever to win GRAMMY’s in both Pop and Jazz categories in the same year, and the dozen Grammy nominations they received for their Vocalese album in 1985 were second only to Michael Jackson’s Thriller as the most nominated album in one year. Their dynamic performances and sense of style have led them to become one of the most iconic music groups in the world. Recognized for their unique sound, The Manhattan Transfer has recorded with an impressive array of artists, including Tony Bennett, Bette Midler, Smokey Robinson, Phil Collins, B.B. King, Chaka Khan, James Taylor, and Frankie Valli. The group was born when Tim Hauser, a New York City cab driver who aspired to form a vocal harmony quartet, met Laurel Massé and Janis Siegel. Alan Paul, who was appearing in the Broadway cast of Grease at the time, was recommended as an additional male voice. The four became The Manhattan Transfer on October 1st, 1972. Cheryl Bentyne joined the group in 1979, replacing Laurel. Trist Curless became a member of the group in 2014. Together, Janis, Alan, Cheryl, and Trist have remained true to the integrity and artistry left to them by founding member Tim Hauser, who passed away in 2014.