Acclaimed Jazz Vocal Group Performs Seasonal and Grammy-Winning Favorites, with Horns and Strings for Extra Dash of Yuletide Cheer

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2005, AT 8 PM

Eight-time Grammy award-winning quartet The Manhattan Transfer continues the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association’s Deck the Hall holiday celebration at Walt Disney Concert Hall on Wednesday, December 21, at 8 p.m. In a program featuring seasonal favorites and songs from their three-decade career of popular and jazz hits, Tim Hauser, Janis Siegel, Alan Paul, and Cheryl Bentyne are backed by twenty-five horns and strings as they offer their toe-tappin’, finger snappin’ harmonic pop-bop in a wonderful evening of yuletide cheer.

Whether offering comfort and joy, camaraderie and a good laugh, or ringing in 2006, the yuletide spirit fills Walt Disney Concert Hall with Deck the Hall, a two-week schedule of festive concert events offering an array of artists bringing their personal touch to the season. Remaining Deck the Hall concerts include: Lila Downs, Calexico and Mariachi Luz de Luna on December 22; Go Tell It on the Mountain: The Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show on December 23; and New Year’s Eve with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER – It’s been more than thirty years since TIM HAUSER paid his bills by working both as a marketing executive and a New York cabbie with dreams of creating a vocal group. One night in 1972, Hauser's taxi fare was an aspiring singer named Laurel Massé, who was familiar with Jukin’, an album Hauser had made with an earlier Manhattan Transfer combo. A few weeks later Hauser met JANIS SIEGEL at a party. Although Siegel was then performing with another folk group, Hauser convinced her and Massé to be part of his nascent group. At the same time, ALAN PAUL was stirring hearts on Broadway, appearing in the original production of Grease. When he met with Hauser, Siegel and Massé, the groundwork was laid for The Manhattan Transfer, which was officially “born” in the fall of 1972. In its formative years, the group developed a strong cult following while playing such New York clubs as Trudy Heller’s, Reno Sweeny’s, and Max’s Kansas City. In 1975 they cut their self-titled debut album on Atlantic and landed their own highly experimental television show on CBS. They were particularly successful in Europe, where their next two albums, Coming Out and Pastiche, brought them a string of top 10 hits. Massé left the group in 1978 to pursue a solo career. Auditions were held to replace her, and a young singer/actress from Mt. Vernon, Washington, responded to the call. The group was completely knocked out by her dazzling performance, and CHERYL BENTYNE was immediately invited to join the group. Throughout their career, The Manhattan Transfer has recorded numerous albums and has won eight Grammy awards. The latest chapter in the quartet’s exploratory trajectory is Vibrate. Released on Telarc in 2004, the recording explores both the traditional and progressive sides of jazz, plus various shades of Latin, world and pop music. As the Philadelphia Inquirer stated, “After 32 years, the jazz vocal group Manhattan Transfer still can sound dangerous.” Among the Manhattan Transfer’s more high-profile gigs in recent years are the Essence Awards, the Goodwill Games, the Society of Singers Ella Awards honoring Tony Bennett, and a special Christmas performance for Pope John Paul II.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, under Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen, presents the finest in orchestral and chamber music, recitals, new music, jazz, world music and holiday concerts at two of the most remarkable places anywhere to experience music — Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. In addition to a 30-week winter subscription season at Walt Disney Concert Hall, the LA Phil presents a 12-week summer festival at the legendary Hollywood Bowl, summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and home of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. In fulfilling its commitment to the community, the Association’s involvement with Los Angeles extends to educational programs, community concerts and children's programming, ever seeking to provide inspiration and delight to the broadest possible audience.

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2005 at 8 PM

WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL, 111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles

The Manhattan Transfer Christmas



THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER

TIM HAUSER

JANIS SIEGEL

ALAN PAUL

CHERYL BENTYNE

Selections to be announced from the stage include holiday favorites and songs from The Manhattan Transfer’s catalog of Grammy-winning releases and hits in both the pop and jazz categories.

Tickets ($26-$77) are on sale now at the Walt Disney Concert Hall box office, online at LAPhil.com, or via credit card phone order at 323.850.2000. A limited number of $10 rush tickets for seniors and full time students may be available at the Walt Disney Concert Hall box office two hours prior to the performance. Valid identification is required; one ticket per person; cash only. Groups of 12 or more may be eligible for special discounts for selected concerts and seating areas. For all information, please call 323.850.2000.

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