Cheryl Bentyne (singer)
Encyclopedia
Cheryl Bentyne is a Grammy-winning singer best known as a member of the vocal quartet The Manhattan Transfer
.
and swing band, performing weekends at the local Elks Lodge
. She honed her stage skills and developed her jazz and swing-style singing. Following graduation from Mount Vernon High School
, Bentyne enrolled at Skagit Valley College
in Mount Vernon
. After studying theatre and music there she moved south to Seattle. While in the Seattle area she joined the New Deal Rhythm Band as the only female and singer, playing in local clubs as well as in San Francisco and Lake Tahoe
. After four years with the New Deal Rhythm Band, she set her eyes on a career in L.A.
, found a manager, and started playing local clubs. In 1978 she learned of an audition opportunity with The Manhattan Transfer
, a group she had listened to and loved. The day after her audition, Bentyne was working at her daytime waitressing job when her manager phoned to inform her that she had passed the audition. Bentyne joined the group as the replacement for soprano Laurel Massé, who had been seriously injured in an automobile accident. Her professional recording debut was on the group's 1979 album, Extensions
which won them their first Grammy for "Birdland", for "Best Jazz Fusion Performance". To date the group has won a total of 10 Grammys.
Bentyne later shared another Grammy with Bobby McFerrin
for "Another Night in Tunisia” from the album Vocalese, and received her own Grammy Award as the composer/writer of "Sassy".
’s Duets album. The following year she recorded "Back in Business", with Lorraine Feather
and fellow Transfer member Janis Siegel
in 1990 on the Dick Tracy
film soundtrack. One year later in 1991, Bentyne collaborated with trumpeter/composer Mark Isham in the soundtrack to the 1991 Alan Rudolph film, Mortal Thoughts
. Then, in 1992, Bentyne released her debut solo album Something Cool.
, Dreaming of Mister Porter. Her 2004 Talk of the Town album featured pianist Kenny Barron
, saxophonist David “Fathead” Newman, flugelhornist Chuck Mangione
, percussionist Don Alias
and drummer Lewis Nash
. Bentyne's 2005 album, Let Me Off Uptown, is a tribute to Anita O’Day.
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...
.
Biography
Born into a musical family, Bentyne started singing at age 13. At the encouragement of her mother she joined her father's DixielandDixieland
Dixieland music, sometimes referred to as Hot jazz, Early Jazz or New Orleans jazz, is a style of jazz music which developed in New Orleans at the start of the 20th century, and was spread to Chicago and New York City by New Orleans bands in the 1910s.Well-known jazz standard songs from the...
and swing band, performing weekends at the local Elks Lodge
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is an American fraternal order and social club founded in 1868...
. She honed her stage skills and developed her jazz and swing-style singing. Following graduation from Mount Vernon High School
Mount Vernon High School (Washington)
Mount Vernon High School is a high school in Mount Vernon, Washington located at 314 North 9th Street.- External links :* Mount Vernon High School Website...
, Bentyne enrolled at Skagit Valley College
Skagit Valley College
Skagit Valley College is a two-year community college serving Skagit, Island, and San Juan counties in northwest Washington state. Established in 1926, SVC grants academic transfer degrees, technical degrees, and certificates. The academic transfer degree and several professional/technical degrees...
in Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon, Washington
Mount Vernon is a city in Skagit County, Washington, United States. The population was 31,743 at the 2010 census. It is one of two principal cities of and included in the Mount Vernon-Anacortes, Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is the county seat of Skagit County...
. After studying theatre and music there she moved south to Seattle. While in the Seattle area she joined the New Deal Rhythm Band as the only female and singer, playing in local clubs as well as in San Francisco and Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada of the United States. At a surface elevation of , it is located along the border between California and Nevada, west of Carson City. Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America. Its depth is , making it the USA's second-deepest...
. After four years with the New Deal Rhythm Band, she set her eyes on a career in L.A.
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
The Manhattan Transfer
Bentyne left Washington for Los AngelesLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, found a manager, and started playing local clubs. In 1978 she learned of an audition opportunity with The Manhattan Transfer
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...
, a group she had listened to and loved. The day after her audition, Bentyne was working at her daytime waitressing job when her manager phoned to inform her that she had passed the audition. Bentyne joined the group as the replacement for soprano Laurel Massé, who had been seriously injured in an automobile accident. Her professional recording debut was on the group's 1979 album, Extensions
Extensions (Manhattan Transfer album)
Extensions was released by The Manhattan Transfer on October 31, 1979, on the Atlantic Records label.This album began a new era for the group: This album was the first one with Cheryl Bentyne, who replaced Laurel Massé. It was also the first album that contained songs that were hits in both the...
which won them their first Grammy for "Birdland", for "Best Jazz Fusion Performance". To date the group has won a total of 10 Grammys.
Bentyne later shared another Grammy with 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:...
for "Another Night in Tunisia” from the album Vocalese, and received her own Grammy Award as the composer/writer of "Sassy".
Solo career
While still a member of The Manhattan Transfer, Bentyne first ventured out as a solo act with her appearance on bassist Rob WassermanRob Wasserman
Rob Wasserman is an American bass player, who has played with a wide variety of musicians including David Grisman, Lou Reed, Bob Weir, Jerry Garcia, Bruce Cockburn, Van Morrison, Rickie Lee Jones, Brian Wilson, Elvis Costello, Mark Morris, Aaron Neville, Chris Whitley, Studs Terkel, Pete Seeger,...
’s Duets album. The following year she recorded "Back in Business", with Lorraine Feather
Lorraine Feather
-History:Lorraine Feather was born in Manhattan. Her father was jazz writer Leonard Feather; her mother Jane was a former big band singer and ex-roommate of singer Peggy Lee...
and fellow Transfer member Janis Siegel
Janis Siegel (singer)
Janis Siegel is a singer with the vocal group The Manhattan Transfer . 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...
in 1990 on the Dick Tracy
Dick Tracy
Dick Tracy is a comic strip featuring Dick Tracy, a hard-hitting, fast-shooting and intelligent police detective. Created by Chester Gould, the strip made its debut on October 4, 1931, in the Detroit Mirror. It was distributed by the Chicago Tribune New York News Syndicate...
film soundtrack. One year later in 1991, Bentyne collaborated with trumpeter/composer Mark Isham in the soundtrack to the 1991 Alan Rudolph film, Mortal Thoughts
Mortal Thoughts
Mortal Thoughts is a 1991 mystery thriller, about a woman who is interrogated by the police regarding the death of her friend's husband. It was directed by Alan Rudolph and stars Demi Moore, Bruce Willis, and Harvey Keitel...
. Then, in 1992, Bentyne released her debut solo album Something Cool.
Current career
Bentyne is still performing and recording with The Manhattan Transfer while maintaining her solo career. In 2000 she recorded and released an album from her musical revue based on the music and wit of Cole PorterCole Porter
Cole Albert Porter was an American composer and songwriter. Born to a wealthy family in Indiana, he defied the wishes of his domineering grandfather and took up music as a profession. Classically trained, he was drawn towards musical theatre...
, Dreaming of Mister Porter. Her 2004 Talk of the Town album featured pianist Kenny Barron
Kenny Barron
Kenny Barron , is an American jazz pianist. He is the younger brother of tenor saxophonist Bill Barron, and known for his lyrical, adaptive style.-Biography:...
, saxophonist David “Fathead” Newman, flugelhornist Chuck Mangione
Chuck Mangione
Charles Frank "Chuck" Mangione is an American flugelhorn player and composer who achieved international success in 1977 with his jazz-pop single, "Feels So Good." Mangione has released more than thirty albums since 1960.-Early life and career:...
, percussionist Don Alias
Don Alias
Charles 'Don' Alias was an American jazz percussionist.Alias was best known for playing congas and other hand drums...
and drummer Lewis Nash
Lewis Nash
Lewis Nash is an American jazz drummer. According to Modern Drummer magazine, Nash has one of the longest discographies in jazz. and has played on over 400 records by musicians, earning him the honor of being named Jazz's Most Valuable Player by the magazine in it's May, 2009 issue...
. Bentyne's 2005 album, Let Me Off Uptown, is a tribute to Anita O’Day.