Manhattan Transfer offers harmony to Jakartans<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): After 24 years in the world of music, one of
\nAmerican's best-known vocal groups, the Manhattan Transfer, is
\nstill in command of its solid and highly aesthetic vocal
\ntechnique.<\/p>\n
They proved it in front of their fans last Wednesday night at
\nthe Golden Ballroom in the Jakarta International Hilton Hotel.<\/p>\n
Wearing off-white costumes, the quartet of Cheryl Bentyne, Tim
\nHauser, Alan Paul, and Janis Siegel opened their single-night
\nconcert in Jakarta with Let's Hang On by Smokey Robinson. The
\naudience gave little response until the group launched into Boy
\nfrom New York City, Operator, Java Jive, Birdland, Trickle-
\nTrickle from their early album Extension and some of their newer
\ntunes The Manhattan Transfer Meets Tubby the Tuba and Tonin.<\/p>\n
In Java Jive, the quartet showed off their skills by
\nharmonizing to the drums and saxophone. Inspired by a cup of
\nJavanese coffee, the tune of Java Jive mesmerized most of the
\naudience who paid between Rp 100,000 and Rp 350,000 for tickets.<\/p>\n
\"Entertaining, harmonious voices and consistent,\" said a local
\nmusician who sat in the front row. For many local music lovers,
\nthe music of the Manhattan Transfer became popular in the early
\nl980s, when vocal groups were mushrooming in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The influence of the Manhattan Transfer's music on local vocal
\ngroups was clear. Take for example the Bandung-based vocal group
\nThe Elfa's Singers or the Chaseiro group, who adopted the
\nManhattan Transfer's acapella style.<\/p>\n
The Manhattan Transfer also entertained their admirers in
\nSurabaya, East Java, where they received a standing ovation for
\ntheir performance on April 2.<\/p>\n
Manhattan's concerts in Indonesia, organized by Buena
\nProduktama, were part of their Asian tour to promote their latest
\nalbum Tonin.<\/p>\n
\"Our signature is clearly four-part harmony,\" noted the
\ngroup's leader Hausers. \"We base our voicings on the structure of
\nthe sax section of the count Basie band, blending soprano, alto,
\ntenor, and bass voices,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Over 24 years, the group produced 19 albums. Their album
\nExtensions, earned them their first domestic pop hit Twilight
\nZone\/Twilight Tone. The album also featured Birdland, the piece
\nthat has since become the Manhattan Transfer's signature tune.
\nBirdland brought the group their first Grammy Awards as Best Jazz
\nFusion performance, and the award for Beat Arrangement for Voice.<\/p>\n
In l981, the Manhattan Transfer made music history by becoming
\nthe first jazz group to win Grammies in both the pop and jazz
\ncategories.Boy From New York City garnered them the award for
\nBest Pop Performance and Until I Met You earned them a Grammy for
\nBest Jazz Performance.<\/p>\n
It was the 1985 release of Vocalese, produced by Tim Hauser,
\nthat became recognized as the group's tour de force. The album
\nreceived 12 Grammy nominations and won two categories as Best
\nJazz Vocal Performance and Best Arrangement for Voices for the
\ngroup's vocalists Cheryl Bentyne and Bobby McFerrin.<\/p>\n
In the winter of 92, the Manhattan Transfer released The
\nChristmas Album featuring classic songs such as Silent Night,
\nThe Christmas Song and Good night.<\/p>\n
Two years later, the group came out with a children's album
\ncalled The Manhattan Transfer Meets Tubby the Tuba, which
\nreceived a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Album for Children.
\nAccompanied by the Naples Philharmonic, the group delivered the
\nalbum's important message: \"Be yourself, you can't be anybody
\nelse.\" (raw)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/manhattan-transfer-offers-harmony-to-jakartans-1447893297",
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