The astonishing prowess of “The World’s Greatest Vocal Group,” will be on display when the Manhattan Transfer takes the Belleayre Music Festival stage on Saturday, July 13 at 8pm. The Manhattan Transfer have been pushing and redefining the boundaries of vocal music in the context of jazz, pop and numerous other styles since the early 1970s. Along the way, the collective efforts of Janis Siegel, Alan Paul and Cheryl Bentyne, and Curless Trist (the current lineup) have earned them a healthy collection of Grammy Awards and a loyal fan base that spans the entire globe.
The critical praise and commercial success of the group’s first seven studio albums could hardly have prepared them for the monumental 12 Grammy nominations they received in 1985 for the album “Vocalese.” Those 12 nominations (winning three) made “Vocalese” the single greatest Grammy nominated album in one year, and cemented the group’s status as one of the most important and innovative vocal groups in the history of popular music. Their hits “Operator,” “Boy from New York City,” and “Route 66” continue to be heard on radio worldwide.
The group’s diverse repertoire helped the Manhattan Transfer win the Playboy and Downbeat “Best Jazz Vocal Group” category every year from 1980 to 1990.
The ensemble was inducted into the Vocal Music Group Hall of Fame in 1998. The Manhattan Transfer engaging live performances, including choreograophy with a wonderful band backing them up, continue to enthrall audiences as the ensemble displays why so many critics have dubbed it, “the world’s greatest vocal group.”
Coming attractions The music shifts to the ultimate in classic rock when the legendary Doobie Brothers hit the stage with their hit-filled show on Saturday, July 20.
The Belleayre Festival Opera presents Bizet’s “Carmen” on Satuday, July 27. The Catskill Mountain Jazz Series will span five extraordinary performances. On Thursday, Aug. 1, the series opens with the Sammy Figueroa Latin Dance Explosion in the Jazz Club. The phenonmenal Pedrito Martinez Havana Quartet will light up the Jazz Club on Friday, Aug. 2. The Paquito D’Rivera and the Dizzy Gillespie Big Band performs on August 3. Keyboard wizard Bill Charlap will play the Jazz Club with his trio on Friday, Aug. 9. Next up on Saturday, Aug. 10 is Kenny Barron’s All-Star Quintet. It’s Broadway at Belleayre on Saturday, Aug. 17 when the legendary Ben Vereen takes the stage.
The festival presents Comedy in the Catskills II with Harrison Greenbaum performing on Friday, Aug. 23. Renown funny woman Rita Rudner headlines on Saturday, Aug. 24.
The season closes in theatrical rock style with The Music of Pink Floyd on Saturday, Aug. 31.
All shows begin at 8 p.m. Tickets for all shows are on sale via Ticketmaster. For additional information, please call 800 942-6904, ext. 1344, visit: belleayremusic.org
For information on where to stay, dine, shop or to simply enjoy the great outdoors when you¹re in town for the Belleayre Music Festival, please visit: www.catskillhighpeaks.com, www.ulstertourism.info or www.greatwesterncatskills.com. Belleayre Music Festival concerts are held on the grounds of Belleayre Mountain in Highmount.
Belleayre Mountain is located in the heart of New York’s Catskill Mountain region, and is operated by the Olmpic Regional Development Authority. The ski resort is located just off Route 28 and is 37 miles west of Thruway Exit 19 at Kingston; 55 miles southeast of Oneonta on Route 28; 40 miles from the Route 17 exit at Roscoe; and 95 miles southwest of Albany and just two hours north of NYC.
