Janis Siegel (singer)
Encyclopedia
Janis Siegel is a singer with the vocal group The Manhattan Transfer
(1972–present). In 1965 Siegel recorded with a group called Young Generation on Red Bird records. In 1972 the original Manhattan Transfer had disbanded, and founder Tim Hauser
re-formed the band with different singers, including Siegel. This incarnation of the band has enjoyed international popularity, covering songs from the 1930s through the 1980s in a variety of genres including jazz fusion
, R&B, pop
, and doo wop. The band has received 10 Grammy Award
s during Siegel's ongoing tenure, and was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003.
Her first solo album, Experiment in White, was released in 1981, and her second album, At Home, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female Jazz Vocalist
. Siegel is a Grammy Award
winner as a member of The Manhattan Transfer.
In 1985, Siegel joined Jon Hendricks
, Bobby McFerrin
and Dianne Reeves
in a group called Sing, Sing, Sing.
She is currently a member of Bobby McFerrin
's Voicestra.
The Manhattan Transfer
The Manhattan Transfer is an American vocal music group. There have been two manifestations of the group, with Tim Hauser being the only person to be part of both...
(1972–present). In 1965 Siegel recorded with a group called Young Generation on Red Bird records. In 1972 the original Manhattan Transfer had disbanded, and founder Tim Hauser
Tim Hauser
Tim Hauser is an accomplished singer who was a member of the vocal group The Manhattan Transfer.-Early life:He was born in Troy, New York. Hauser, his sister Fayette, and their parents moved to the Jersey Shore when he was seven years old. He lived in Ocean Township, New Jersey and Asbury Park,...
re-formed the band with different singers, including Siegel. This incarnation of the band has enjoyed international popularity, covering songs from the 1930s through the 1980s in a variety of genres including jazz fusion
Jazz fusion
Jazz fusion is a musical fusion genre that developed from mixing funk and R&B rhythms and the amplification and electronic effects of rock, complex time signatures derived from non-Western music and extended, typically instrumental compositions with a jazz approach to lengthy group improvisations,...
, R&B, pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
, and doo wop. The band has received 10 Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
s during Siegel's ongoing tenure, and was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003.
Her first solo album, Experiment in White, was released in 1981, and her second album, At Home, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female Jazz Vocalist
Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female
The Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female was an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to female recording artists for quality jazz vocal performances...
. Siegel is a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
winner as a member of The Manhattan Transfer.
In 1985, Siegel joined Jon Hendricks
Jon Hendricks
Jon Hendricks is an American jazz lyricist and singer. He is considered one of the originators of vocalese, which adds lyrics to existing instrumental songs and replaces many instruments with vocalists...
, Bobby McFerrin
Bobby McFerrin
Robert "Bobby" McFerrin, Jr. is an American vocalist and conductor. He is best known for his 1988 hit song "Don't Worry, Be Happy". He is a ten-time Grammy Award winner.-Life:...
and Dianne Reeves
Dianne Reeves
Dianne Reeves is an American jazz singer. She currently lives in Denver, Colorado.-Early life:Reeves was born in Detroit, Michigan to a very musical family. Her father, who died when she was two years old, was also a singer. Her mother, Vada Swanson, played trumpet. A cousin, George Duke, is a...
in a group called Sing, Sing, Sing.
She is currently a member of Bobby McFerrin
Bobby McFerrin
Robert "Bobby" McFerrin, Jr. is an American vocalist and conductor. He is best known for his 1988 hit song "Don't Worry, Be Happy". He is a ten-time Grammy Award winner.-Life:...
's Voicestra.
Discography (Solo)
- Experiment in White (AtlanticAtlantic RecordsAtlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
, 1981) - At Home (Atlantic, 1986)
- Short Stories (Atlantic, 1989)
- Slow Hot Wind (Varese/Sarabande, 1995)
- The Tender Trap (Monarch, 1999) - featuring Russell MaloneRussell MaloneRussell Malone is an essentially self-taught swing and bebop jazz guitarist. He began working with Jimmy Smith in 1988, and went on to work with Harry Connick, Jr. and Diana Krall throughout the 1990s...
, Matt WilsonMatt WilsonMatthew Wilson may refer to:* Matt Wilson , Irish international footballer of 1880s.* Matt Wilson , of Trip Shakespeare and the Flops* Matt Wilson , New York jazz drummer & composer* Matthew Wilson, British rally driver...
, Victor LewisVictor LewisVictor Lewis is an American jazz drummer, a major force in the genre since the 1980s.-As leader:*1992: Family Portrait - with John Stubblefield, Edward Simon, Cecil McBee, Don Alias, Jumma Santos...
, Michael BreckerMichael BreckerMichael Leonard Brecker was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Acknowledged as "a quiet, gentle musician widely regarded as the most influential tenor saxophonist since John Coltrane," he has been awarded 15 Grammy Awards as both performer and composer and was inducted into Down Beat Jazz...
and Hank CrawfordHank CrawfordBennie Ross "Hank" Crawford, Jr. was an American R&B, hard bop, jazz-funk, soul jazz alto saxophonist, arranger and songwriter... - I Wish You Love (Telarc, 2002)
- Friday Night Special (Telarc, 2003) - featuring Joey DeFrancescoJoey DeFrancescoJoey DeFrancesco is an American jazz organist, trumpeter, and vocalist. Down Beat's Critics and Readers Poll selected him as the top jazz organist every year since 2003.DeFrancesco was born in Springfield, Pennsylvania...
and Houston PersonHouston PersonHouston Person is an American jazz tenor saxophonist and record producer. Although he has performed in the hard bop and swing genres, he is most experienced in and best known for his work in soul jazz. Person is also known for his distinctive sassy sound and his expressive style of playing... - Sketches of Broadway (Telarc, 2004)
External links
- Janis Siegel.com
- [ Bio on allmusic.com]
- The Manhattan Transfer Official Website (requires Flash)