Four Brothers – 1977

Manhattan Transfer

The original Manhattan Transfer swings a bop classic

Jimmy Giuffre composed “Four Brothers” which became famous due to the Woody Herman Orchestra’s classic recordings of 1947 which featured tenor-saxophonists Stan Getz, Zoot Sims and Herbie Steward, and baritonist Serge Chaloff.

The Manhattan Transfer early in their long career recorded “Four Brothers” for their Pastiche album.

At the time the singers were Tim Hauser, Alan Paul, Janis Siegel, and Laurel Masse; Masse left the group after a serious car accident in 1979 and was permanently replaced by Cheryl Bentyne.

The group scats up a storm and somehow whips through the rapid lyrics without a misstep, making it all sound natural.

-Scott Yanow