Legendary vocal group The Manhattan Transfer releaseD their first new studio album in 10 years titled THE JUNCTION on March 30 via BMG. In conjunction with the release, the group was seen nationwide with their new PBS special titled "The Summit," a dual show with Take 6 that started April 26; and announced a U.S. tour. The album promptly hit #1 on iTunes' Jazz Chart. THE JUNCTION - the group's new album which draws inspiration from The Transfer's classic 1975 version of Glenn Miller's "Tuxedo Junction" - features the group's newest member, bass vocalist Trist Curless, who joined the group when late band founder Tim Hauser fell ill in 2013; officially joining after Hauser's passing in late 2014. Curless (formerly of m-pact), joins Janis Siegel (alto), Alan Paul (tenor) and Cheryl Bentyne (soprano), as they release a collection of songs that includes five selections that the members wrote or co-write themselves. THE JUNCTION was produced by five-time Grammy winner -- vocalist, film composer, arranger and producer Mervyn Warren.
"As our work on The Junction, and the theme of the album reflects - democracy is the fabric of the group, and has been from the beginning," says Bentyne. "It's a whole different ball game, but one we feel is still musically very viable and exciting," adds Siegel. Paul says, "The concept of The Junction is that this is a special meeting place, a junction of merging our four and a half decade musical legacy with something new. We weren't looking to replace Tim's unique personality, but found in Trist someone who could add a new element to the group, and take care of the bottom of the quartet with his true bass." Curless reflects, "My personal desire was that the album would sound like The Manhattan Transfer, keeping what they've done, but bringing a new energy that would come naturally with my strengths as an artist, becoming a part of theirs."