Famed jazz vocal group Manhattan Transfer has lost its last original member: Tim Hauser. Schooled in classic jazz, vocal harmony, swing and vocalese, MT co-founder Hauser died Oct. 16. He was 72.
Current Transfer members Alan Paul, Janis Siegel and Cheryl Bentyne confirmed Hauser's death via the group's Facebook page. The quartet is often compared to Lambert Hendricks and Ross and is named after a 1925 novel by John Dos Passos.
The original lineup consisted of Hauser, Erin Dickins, Marty Nelson, Gene Pistilli and Pat Rosali. In 1971, MT released their debut LP Jukin' on Capitol records. The project saw two eras of members but Hauser was the only member to be a part of both.
Later, the group signed to Atlantic Records in 1975 and enjoyed a Top 10 single with their cover of Ad-Lips's "Boy from New York City" on the Billboard 200.
Hauser was a Jersey Shore native and began his singing career at 15 with a doo-wop group called The Criterions. In 2013, the singer underwent spinal surgery and was absent for most of the group's performances since.
He released one solo album, Love Stories, in 2007.
Here they are with their rendition of "Boy from New York City":
