The Manhattan Transfer is the New York jazz vocal group formed in 1972 by Alan Paul, Janis Siegel, Laurel Massé and Tim Hauser. (Several years after the group formed, Ms. Masse was replaced by Cheryl Bentene following an auto accident. The group hasn't changed its personnel since.)
They had their initial success in the US with their self-titled debut album, and the single "Operator." Their next few releases had a greater impact on the charts in the UK, where single "Chanson D'Amour" from Coming Out went to No.1.
The 1979 Extensions album began a golden period for the group in the US. The album features a cover of jazz group Weather Reports' "Birdland". It won Manhattan Transfer the Grammy for Best Jazz Fusion Performance and is now considered the bands' signature tune. Subsequent releases would garner the band a long list of plaudits, with Mecca for Moderns providing Grammy Awards for "Boy From New York City", "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" and "Until I Met You".
In 1983 the group had success in the R&B charts with the "Spice of Life", a top five performer from the Bodies and Souls album, which also featured fan favourite "Mystery." They hit a peak with Vocalese, the album generated 12 Grammy nominations which, at the time, was second only to Michael Jackson's Thriller album. Brasil earned the band a Grammy for Best Pop Performance, but this was to mark the end of the run, as subsequent releases have not done as well. The band still tours and has a loyal following.
In 1998 they were recognised with induction into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
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