One group single-handedly brought vocal jazz to the masses; the other's听smooth R&B hits inspired a new generation of a cappella mania, from The Sing-Off to Glee and Smash.
Now that they鈥檝e teamed up, there鈥檚 nothing they can鈥檛 conquer.听
For the first time ever, The Manhattan Transfer and Take 6, two of the most respected singing groups in the world, have joined forces for a worldwide performance tour and recording project called The Summit . . .听and Boulder audiences have a chance to hear them live at Macky Auditorium on Friday, Nov. 11, at 7:30 p.m.
Jazz fans will rejoice to hear newly reformed The听Manhattan Transfer singing again with a brand new bass. Founded in 1975 by the late Tim Hauser, the vocal quartet began performing in small New York jazz clubs and quickly rose to fame, becoming a major recording act and 鈥渙ne of the slickest groups in today鈥檚 market,鈥� according to听The New York Times. Many still consider their iconic renditions of 鈥淥perator,鈥� 鈥淩oute 66鈥� and 鈥淎 Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square鈥� to be the pinnacle of vocal jazz.
Take 6, the most-awarded ensemble in vocal history, appeals to soul, R&B and spiritual music fans alike. Since the release of their 1988 breakout-single 鈥淪pread Love,鈥� the group has been inseparable and its fans legendarily loyal. And it鈥檚 no mystery why鈥攁fter a 2013 concert, The New York Times declared, 鈥淭his group still does some things that no one else in its field can touch.鈥� The ensemble鈥檚 six members effortlessly move together as one through the complex harmonies and cleverly syncopated rhythms of their own pop arrangements and original songs.
With 20 Grammy awards between them, worldwide sales in the millions and a comfortable familiarity with sold-out tour performance, it鈥檒l come as no surprise to learn听their double act has already been widely hailed. Having heard the ten singers together, Basketball Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar proclaimed,听鈥淭hey must be heard to believed."
鈥淭ake 6 and The Manhattan Transfer have combined their talents to create an evening of incredible joy, and they do it without forgetting to swing,鈥� he said.
From classic jazz standards to original rhythm and blues, there will听be a little bit of something for both casual listeners and vocal aficionados. Both groups are set to reprise a few of their old favorites and collaborate on a few new arrangements.
Journalist Michael Bourne says, 鈥淭he Manhattan Transfer and Take 6 together . . . you could hear such profound and delightful artistry. You could feel how much fun they were having. I can鈥檛 think of enough superlatives. How about WOW [times] 10!鈥�
