Take some of the best-known, most complex and sophisticated instrumental solos in jazz, treat them as melodies and add swinging, poetic lyrics: the result is Vocalese, one of the most technically difficult and musically rewarding singing styles in jazz. As the 88-year-old jazz great Jon Hendricks, perhaps the greatest Vocalese master of all, once put it: "We do what librettists do for opera…we lyricize all the musical action that's going on." This show brings together for the first time living legend Hendricks with two of the finest Vocalese singing groups on the planet.

Manhattan Transfer, the eight-time Grammy-winning jazz/pop harmony vocal group, has been releasing stellar albums and drawing rave concert reviews for over three decades with their sparkling song stylizations and prodigious vocal talents. Their #1 platinum hit record "Birdland" is the quintessential vocalese recording that has taken this unique style to the world.

The New York Voices, a Grammy-winning vocal ensemble is acclaimed for their excellence in jazz and the art of group singing. They have performed at every major jazz festival in the world, and their GRP recordings are among the most important group vocal recordings in jazz.

Jon Hendricks, a NEA Jazz Master, Grammy winner, French Legion of Honor awardee, and "Poet Laureate of Jazz", is the founder of the legendary Lambert, Hendricks and Ross vocal group, who are considered one of the originators of the vocalese technique. Hendricks is recognized as one of the best jazz singers of all time.

Season 2009-2010