The Manhattan Transfer

They’ve always been known as the epitome of cool. The Manhattan Transfer, with its harmonies and versatility that incorporates a variety of genres from pop to rock to jazz, R & B and rock ‘n roll, swing, symphonic and a cappella music, has been hard to pigeon-hole, and they like it that way. They were the first group to win Grammy Awards in the pop and jazz categories in one year, for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with vocal for “Boy from New York City” and Best Jazz Performance by a Duo or Group for “Until I Met You.” Their 1985 album, Vocalese, made Grammy history as the most-nominated album in one year with 12 nominations. The album featured Dizzy Gillespie, Ron Carter and the County Basie Orchestra, and changed the perception of The Manhattan Transfer from huge pop artists to formidable jazz singers.