Vocal quartet sings tributes at the Brubeck

Students, staff and community filled the rows of the Howard Brubeck Theater Oct.8 to hear Transfer Tribute playing.

Transfer Tribute is a vocal quartet that pays tribute to the popular group Manhattan Transfer. The group performs dynamic songs using a several voices from each range and establishing four-part harmonies.

The quartet aims to emulate the way Manhattan Transfer mixes elements of Jazz, doo-wop and pop to create a smooth groove that makes you dance in your chair. One student in particular couldn’t help but boogie.

During the weekly Concert Hour at Palomar College, Transfer Tribute performed the original work of Manhattan Transfer, in addition to the standards they are famous for playing, such as “Route 66.”

Natasha Viloria, 19, is a musical theater major attending the performance.

“I really enjoyed this one, very much…I was digging it,” Viloria said.

Viloria added that she can relate to the work as a vocalist herself, and was familiar with many of the songs. While she hadn’t enjoyed some of the previous concert hours, she definitely enjoyed this.

Transfer Tribute is made up of Janet Hammer, Athena Espinoza, Leonard Patton, and Chris Tweedy. It began when Espinoza and Hammer who worked together in an ABBA tribute. They both had the idea to make a tribute band for Manhattan Transfer separately, and came together to make it a reality.

Hammer teaches Fundamental Vocal Skills at Palomar, and has for 12 years. Her passion lies in performing, and works with several different ensembles in the styles of jazz, rock, show and contemporary.

“I’m actually a performer first and professor second because I’ve always performed… the basis from which I teach is from my performance,” Hammer said.

Hammer also teaches a vocal jazz ensemble on campus.

Espinoza is a former student of Palomar and works as professional singer and musical theater actress. She reminisces as she passes by the music department.

“It’s cool to see the student population coming in to enjoy this because it’s so rich, and it’s just really neat,” Espinoza said.

Leonard Patton is literally a vocal jazz master, that is to say his masters degree is in jazz studies. Patton studied at Berklee School of Music in Boston.

Chris Tweedy studied at Point Loma Nazarene University and holds a degree in music composition. In addition to singing, Tweedy is a composer, arranger, and musical director.

Concert Hour is always free and is every Thursday during the semester. Information on the performers and location can be found at www.palomarperforms.com.