Group
The Manhattan Transfer
- From
- United States
- Active
- 1969–2023
- Rating
- ★ 4
- Releases
- 47
- jazz fusion
- pop
About
The Manhattan Transfer was an American vocal group founded in 1969 in New York City, performing music genres like jazz, swing, rhythm and blues, pop, and standards. They won eleven Grammy Awards.
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There were several incarnations and formations of the Manhattan Transfer, with each rendition having different styles.
The first rendition was in the 1960s, consisting of a mostly an acappella-tinged style; it featured Tim Hauser, Erin Dickins, Marty Nelson, Pat Rosalia, and Gene Pistilli. The second version of the group, formed in 1972, incorporating a more vocal jazz approach, consisted of Hauser, Alan Paul, Janis Siegel, and Laurel Massé.
The third, and most commercially perceived, formation of the group happened in 1979, because Massé had to leave the group after being badly injured in a car crash and was replaced by Cheryl Bentyne. This edition of the Manhattan Transfer performed electronic-styled pop, soul, funk, and rhythmic music, having success in the 1980s.
Since the 1990s, the lineup of Hauser, Paul, Siegel, and Bentyne continued, and performed mostly cool and smooth jazz. The group also had several rotating touring members, and longtime pianist Yaron Gershovsky accompanied the group on tour and served as music director. Trist Curless from the Los Angeles a cappella group m-pact became a permanent member in October 2014 following Hauser's death. The group officially retired in 2023.
Members
Discography
Albums
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The Manhattan Transfer Apple Music
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Coming Out Apple Music
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Pastiche Apple Music
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Extensions Apple Music
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Mecca for Moderns Apple Music
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Bodies and Souls Apple Music
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Vocalese Apple Music
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Brasil Apple Music
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The Offbeat of Avenues Apple Music
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The Christmas Album Apple Music
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Four Brothers
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The Manhattan Transfer Meets Tubby the Tuba
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Tonin’ Apple Music
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Swing Apple Music
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The Spirit of St. Louis Apple Music
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Got Swing!
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Vibrate Apple Music
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An A Cappella Christmas
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The Symphony Sessions Apple Music
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The Chick Corea Songbook Apple Music
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Coming Out & Pastiche
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The Junction Apple Music
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Fifty
Singles
Live
Compilations
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Chanson d’Amour: The Very Best of
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Original Album Series
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The Definitive Pop Collection
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Boy From New York City and Other Hits
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Very Best Of Big Mama Thornton
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The Very Best of The Manhattan Transfer Apple Music
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The Manhattan Transfer Anthology: Down in Birdland
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The Best of the Manhattan Transfer
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The Best of The Manhattan Transfer
Links
Official
Concerts
Artistic director
Instrumental supporting musician
Also known as
Manhattan Transfer · Manhatten Transfer · The Manhattan · The Manhatten Transfer · マンハッタン・トランスファー
Tags
- a cappella
Identifiers
- MusicBrainz
- 02390d49-c321-479b-b6f4-cd76f32fb887
- ISNI
- 000000012358801X
Data from MusicBrainz, saved 8 Nov 2026. Photo from Wikimedia Commons, covers from the Cover Art Archive and Apple Music.