Photos provided by WTTW Chicago/ Bill Richert

Long before Pentatonix, Straight No Chaser and “Glee” made a cappella popular again, The Manhattan Transfer and Take 6 were leading the pack when it came to jazz, gospel and vocal pop. While The Manhattan Transfer got a head start in the early 1970s, Take 6 was hot on its heels by the back half of ‘80s, though any rivalry was clearly friendly when both groups converged for a taping of “Soundstage” at Chicago’s Grainger Studio.

Considering The Manhattan Transfer and Take 6 share 20 Grammy Awards between them, this episode of “Soundstage” may very well boast the season’s brightest star power.

Dubbed “The Summit” and premiering April 19, the collaborative specials finds The Manhattan Transfer and Take 6 rotating through solo selections, tag teaming and even taking a stab at the other’s material (occasionally with some sparse instrumental accompaniment). Throughout it all, members’ friendship is evident, as is everyone’s mutual respect for each fertile musical catalogue that features recordings made right up until this present day.

In fact, The Manhattan Transfer featuring Cheryl Bentyne, Alan Paul, Janis Siegel and Trist Curless (who entered the fold following the passing of Tim Hauser) just dropped “The Junction,” though everyone’s harmonies are just as flawless when it comes to the classics. Take 6’s latest offering is “Believe,” but no matter recent or longstanding material, these soulful men have no trouble spinning any selection into pure vocal gold.

Considering The Manhattan Transfer and Take 6 share 20 Grammy Awards between them, this episode of “Soundstage” may very well boast the season’s brightest star power. However, there isn’t a shred of ego or the need to outdo one another as The Manhattan Transfer and Take 6 focus purely on the music and preserving the individual and now collective legacies of these two a cappella institutions.

For additional information on The Manhattan Transfer and Take 6, visit ManhattanTransfer.net and Take6.com.

Upcoming concert highlights on PBS’ “Soundstage” airing on WTTW Chicago include The Manhattan Transfer and Take 6: “The Summit” (premieres Apr. 19); Michael McDonald (premieres Apr. 26) and RSO: Richie Sambora + Orianthi (premieres May 3). For additional details, visit PBS.org/Program/Soundstage/.

Related Articles

Darius Rucker, Widespread Panic and more: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at Fair Grounds Race Course Dave Matthews, Boney James and more: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at Fair Grounds Race Course Rickie Lee Jones serenades sold out City Winery with understated variety “Soundstage” season premieres with Chicago marking 50 years of its sprawling second project For first of two City Winery sets, Timothy B. Schmit flies like an Eagle A gumbo of soul, gospel, jazz from Irma Thomas, Blind Boys, Preservation Hall Legacy Quintet In Memoriam: Natalie Cole’s “Ask A Woman Who Knows” Tour at Paramount Theatre In Memoriam: Natalie Cole’s “Still Unforgettable” Tour at The Venue At Horseshoe Casino