1. On A Little Street In Singapore.
This wistful jazz number, fairly popular in the 1930s and 1940s, was written by songwriters Peter DeRose and Billy Hill. Manhattan Transfer covered it in 1978, and Frank Sinatra before that. The lyrics (below) evoke romance in the mysterious east of an earlier era.
2. Longevity of quartet.
Hauser formed Manhattan Transfer in 1969, after working various jobs as a New York cabbie and advertising executive. Since 1979, there has been no change in the line-up of two men and two women. Other members are Alan Paul, Cheryl Bentyne and Janis Siegel.
3. Darling at the Grammys.
Manhattan Transfer recorded more than 20 albums and won 10 pop and jazz Grammy awards. Their critically acclaimed album, Vocalese (1985), earned a whopping 12 Grammy nominations. Other memorable hits include Operator and The Boy from New York City.
4. Manhattan Transfer is a novel.
The group is named after a novel of urban life and alienation in New York authored by John Dos Passos in 1925. One of his most important works, the novel is inter-woven with fragmented narratives, newspaper elements and also snatches of song lyrics.
5. Singing from the very beginning.
Tim Hauser once asked his mother how long he had been singing, and she said: "As long as I can remember." Manhattan Transfer will continue its upcoming tour. The next show is Oct 23 in Manchester, New Hampshire.