Tim Hauser

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Tim Hauser (born December 12, 1941) is a musician with the band The Manhattan Transfer. ^[1]

[edit] Early life

He was born in Troy, New York. Tim, his sister Fayette, and their parents moved to the New Jersey shore when he was seven years old, living in Ocean Township and Asbury Park. He attended St. Rose High School in Belmar, New Jersey where an award in his name has been given every year since 1989 to students who excel in Theater Arts.

He began to sing professionally at age 15. He founded a doo wop vocal quintet called The Criterions. They recorded two singles for the Cecilia Label; I Remain Truly Yours, and Don't Say Goodbye. The Criterions appeared on Alan Freed's Big Beat Show. Tim also developed his producing skills at an early age.

In 1959, he entered Villanova University. His college years were a continuation of the musical involvement he had started to develop, with Tim spending much of his college time energetically expanding his musical interests.Tim, along with fellow Criterions members Tommy West, and Jim Ruf performed as the Troubadours Three, singing folk music. He also was a member of the Villanova Singers and the Villanova Spires/Coventry Lads, along with classmate Jim Croce. Tim spent all four years on the staff of college radio station WWVU. In 1963, he graduated from Villanova with a BS in Economics.

In 1964, Tim served in the US Air Force and the New Jersey Air National Guard. In 1965, he began his career in marketing. From 1965-66, Tim worked as a market research analyst with the advertising agency, Sullivan, Stauffer, Colwell, and Bayles. His accounts included Pepsodent Toothpaste (Lever Bros.), Micrin Mouthwash (Johnson & Johnson), and Rise Shaving Cream (Carter Products). From 1966-1968, Tim worked as Manager of the Market Research Department for the Special Products Division of the National Biscuit Company. His accounts included all ready to eat cereals, hot cereals, and pet food products.

[edit] Musical career

In 1969, he formed the first version of The Manhattan Transfer with Gene Pistilli, Marty Nelson, Erin Dickins and Pat Rosalia. The group had a country/R&B sound. Together they recorded one album, Jukin', on the Capitol label. However, they differed in ideas on direction so the group dissolved in the early 70's.

Tim took odd jobs to support himself while still pursuing his musical career including taxicab driving. Through this he met a waitress and aspiring singer, Laurel Massé. Tim was once more driving his cab when he picked up the conga player for the group Laurel Canyon. The conga player invited Tim to a party, where he met Janis Siegel. Together with Laurel, they decided to reform The Manhattan Transfer. They needed a male singer, so they contacted Alan Paul. The four became The Manhattan Transfer on October 1, 1972. After a car accident, Massé decided to leave the group and pursue a solo career, and in 1978 the talented Cheryl Bentyne was hired to replace her. Since then the award-winning line-up is unchanged.

The Manhattan Transfer have won 10 Grammys, and many Gold and Platinum records. They took home both the Downbeat and Playboy readers polls every year in the 1980s for best vocal group. In 2007, they won the Jazztimes Readers Poll for best vocal group. When Ahmet Ertegün founded the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, he selected Tim to serve on the original voting committee, a position he held for three years (1986-88). In 1993, Tim was awarded an Honorary Doctor's Degree in Music from The Berklee College of Music.

Tim's other interests include tennis, baseball, collecting and restoring classic automobiles, and of course, collecting records. Tim resides in California with his son Basie and daughter Lily.

[edit] References