LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 16, 2008) – As the holiday season kicks into high gear, the Bluegrass will welcome a concert featuring the Manhattan Transfer, one of the most well-known contemporary jazz vocal groups in the nation. The critically acclaimed jazz quartet will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Singletary Center for the Arts Concert Hall. For this concert, the Manhattan Transfer will be accompanied by members of the University of Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of John Nardolillo.

 

Still swinging 35 years after its inception, Manhattan Transfer combines the musical talents of founder Tim Hauser and fellow members Cheryl Bentyne, Janis Siegel and Alan Paul. The group continues to be known for resurrecting jazz trends from boogie-woogie, to bop, to vocalese. The group's success made Manhattan Transfer one of America's most popular vocal jazz group's of the 1970s.

 

The popular musical performers originally broke onto the scene in1969 with debut album "The Manhattan Transfer," and soon followed it with "Coming Out" and "Pastiche." After Bentyne joined the group not much later replacing original group member Laurel Massé, the quartet would go on to experience yet another level of success and growth.

 

The group proceeded to produce the album "Extensions" earning them their first domestic pop hit "Twilight Zone/Twilight Tone," produced by Alan Paul and Jay Graydon. The album also featured "Birdland," a musical piece that has since become Manhattan Transfer's signature tune.

 

The Manhattan Transfer made musical history in 1981when they became the first group to win Grammy awards in both the pop and jazz categories within the same year. The songs "Boy From New York City" and "Until I Met You (Corner Pocket)" garnered the award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Jazz Performance by Duo or Group respectively.

 

The rising stars continued to receive recognition in 1982 receiving another Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Performance by Duo or Group for their rendition of the classic ode-to-the-road "Route 66." However, it was the group's 1985 release of "Vocalese," produced by Tim Hauser, which would earn the quartet a true name among musical legends. "Vocalese" received 12 Grammy nominations, at the time making it second only to Michael Jackson's "Thriller," and establishing the album as a critically acclaimed artistic triumph.

 

Tickets for the holiday concert featuring Manhattan Transfer range from $45 to $60 based on seating location. A processing fee for tickets will be added upon purchase.  Tickets may be purchased through the Singletary Center ticket office at (859) 257-4929, or purchased online at www.singletarytickets.com.