The legendary vocal group, The Manhattan Transfer, is set to hit Montecasino’s Teatro on 23 and 24 September and will be presented by radio station Hot 91.9 and DStv Channel 24.
The vocal group has had an important part in musical history for more than 40 years, winning 10 Grammy Awards as well as being inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
The Manhattan Transfer comprises Cheryl Bentyne, Alan Paul, Janis Siegel and Trist Curless, who recently stepped into the role of the group’s founder, taking over from Tim Hauser after he passed away.
With worldwide record sales in the millions, the group has topped the music charts consistently for decades with their melodic and jazz-infused vocals that bring audiences back year after year.
In 1974, the group began performing regularly throughout New York City at Trude Heller’s, Mercer Arts Center, Max’s Kansas City and Club 82. By the end of that year, they were the number one live attraction in New York City and were signed to Atlantic Records releasing their self-titled debut album in 1975.
Their next two albums, Coming Out and Pastiche, brought them a string of top 10 hits in Europe and produced a number one smash in Britain and France with Chanson d’Amour.
The 12 Grammy nominations they received for Vocalese in 1985 made it the single greatest Grammy nominated album in one year to date, and cemented the group’s status as one of the most important and innovative vocal groups in the history of popular music. The band’s next studio album, Brasil, won the Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
The Manhattan Transfer will be supported by Ian Smith and the Delft Big Band. Launched in August 2008 as an initiative by the Department of Social Development and non-governmental organisation, Cape Outdoor Adventure Service and Training, The Delft Big Band’s objective is to take musically talented youngsters off the streets and give them a focus in life, equipping them with the skills necessary to be professional musicians.
The band consists of 17 musicians and two vocalists and has developed into one of the most exciting big bands in the country. Members of the band have undertaken two tours of Sweden, a tour of France and have performed at the Liverpool Brouhaha Festival, the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival and locally at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
Tickets range from R400 to R850.
