The Manhattan Transfer

Formed in 1969 by Tim Hauser and an assorted cast of talented singers, The Manhattan Transfer is a New York-based vocal group that has managed to build a reputation for itself as one of the premier a capella groups in America for its unique ability to incorporate elements of jazz, big band and contemporary pop into its sound. Though the band's initial years were a bit shaky, with the group's lineup nearly always in flux, The Manhattan Transfer managed to raise a few eyebrows during the mid-1970s, including record label impresario Ahmet Ertegun, who offered the group a contract with this his imprint, Atlantic Records. Shortly after releasing its first album on Atlantic in 1975, the group was able to attain a high level of notoriety and has maintained its impressive level of popularity ever since.