Manhattan Transfer at Markham Theatre

With over 28 albums, 10 Grammy Awards and performance tours around the world, Manhattan Transfer have been thrilling audiences for more than four decades with their renditions of jazz standards such as Bird Land, doo-wop hits like Boy From New York City and the iconic pop tunes Twilight Zone and Route 66. Founding members Tim Hauser, Alan Paul and Janis Siegel are joined for the Markham Theatre performance by Margaret Dorn, who has been filling in for the group’s soprano, Cheryl Bentyne, who cannot currently tour because of illness.  Dorn is an award-winning vocalist, composer and arranger who has performed with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Bette Midler, Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez, K.D. Lang, Elvis Costello, Michael McDonald, Jessica Simpson, Barry Manilow, Diana Ross, Carly Simon and Willie Nelson. Manhattan Transfer brings its jazz-infused pop vocals to the Markham Theatre on Tuesday, April 17, 2012. There are limited tickets still available for this performance.

 

The Manhattan Transfer are a platinum selling, chart topping super group, widely renowned for broadening the musical landscape with their innovative, genre defying sound. They made Grammy history in 1981 by becoming the first group to win Grammys simultaneously in both the jazz and pop categories. The group also put out the second most honored album in pop history in 1985 with Vocalese, earning an impressive 12 Grammy nominations, surpassed only by Michael Jackson’s Thriller at the time. Produced by Tim Hauser, Vocalese has become known as the group’s tour de force with Jon Hendricks, the recognized master of this art, composing all of the lyrics for the album. To date, The Manhattan Transfer has won 10 Grammys and have been nominated for 17.

 

They are celebrating their 40^th Anniversary in the entertainment industry with their first new record in five years, The Chick Corea Songbook.  Inspired by Corea’s the classic work, the new release features fresh and exciting vocal interpretations of many of his popular compositions including “Spain” and “500 Miles High”, anddebuted at number five on the Billboard jazz chart. Chick Corea performs on the new release and has written an original song for the project called “Free Samba.”  There are also many special guest appearances by some of the finest musicians in the industry including Christian McBride, Airto, Alex Acuna, Fred Hersch, Edsel Gomez and Lou Marini among others. 

 

A major force in the evolution of modern jazz, the renowned composer, keyboardist, and bandleader Chick Corea offers a rare solo piano performance at the Markham Theatre on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at 8PM.  One of only two Canadian stops on his international tour, this concert is an exclusive Ontario appearance.

 

This show concludes Markham Theatre’s Nostalgia series for 11-12 Season.  The Manhattan Transfers’ appearance is presented by Minken Employment Lawyers.  Markham Theatre would also like to thank show sponsor, Old Firehall Confectionery and hotel partner Hilton Suites Toronto/Markham Conference Centre & Spa.