Manhattan Transfer update

Back in March 2018, The Manhattan Transfer released The Junction, a new album which draws inspiration in part from The Transfer's classic 1975 version of Glenn Miller's "Tuxedo Junction." It is their first new effort in nine years.

The Junction features the group's newest member, bass vocalist Trist Curless, who joined the group when late band founder Tim Hauser fell ill in 2013; officially joining after Hauser's passing in late 2014.

Curless (formerly of m-pact), joins Janis Siegel (alto), Alan Paul (tenor) and Cheryl Bentyne (soprano), as they release a collection of songs that includes five selections that the members wrote or co-wrote themselves. The Junction was produced by five-time Grammy winner -- vocalist, film composer, arranger and producer Mervyn Warren.

Coinciding with the release of The Junction is a national tour; and PBS special titled "The Summit," which features Take 6 in a dual show. Part of the public television network's legendary Soundstage concert series, "The Summit" was taped before a live studio audience at WTTW's Grainger Studio in Chicago in January 2017.

The two groups, which have been touring their richly produced, interactive vocal extravaganza for the past three years, create a unique brotherhood onstage, with songs incorporating their combined 10-part harmony, lively segments including "Battle of the Bands" and a repertoire that includes songs neither band has ever recorded.

Defying easy genre categorizations, The Manhattan Transfer became the first act to win Grammy Awards in the pop and jazz categories in one year (1981) for "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)."

In 1985, their album Vocalese made history as the single greatest Grammy-nominated album in history in one year with 12 nominations, winning "Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Duo or Group"; and "Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices" for "Another Night in Tunisia" (won by Bentyne and Bobby McFerrin). This album, which featured jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie, Ron Carter, and the Count Basie Orchestra, changed the perception of The Manhattan Transfer from superstar pop artists to formidable jazz singers.

While well-renowned for their spectacular re-imaginings of classics like "Java Jive," "Birdland," "The Boy From New York City," "Twilight Zone," "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" and "Route 66," one of their most acclaimed albums was 1991's The Offbeat of Avenues, which featured numerous group originals amidst the cover songs.

U.S. tour dates:

5/26 Roseville, CA
6/20 New York, NY
6/22 Atlanta, GA
6/23 Ashville, NC
7/27 Vienna, VA
9/29 Fairfax, VA
10/4 Hartford, CT

manhattantransfer.net