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The Manhattans Of Sonny Bivins
Bio
Presenting The Manhattans of Sonny Bivins, in 1990 Sonny Bivins restructured his group The Manhattans. He added Charles Hardy, Harsey Hemphill and Alvin Pazant to Roger Harris and Himself. 32 years later the 2 remaining members from that line up, Charles and Harsey still perform with new members Keni Jackson (replacing Lee Williams who retired in 2015) and Kirk Hill Jr (replacing Alvin Pazant who retired in 2020). These 4 Gentleman are continuing the legacy of the Manhattans, for now and the future. Due to a court order, a settlement was made between the Bivins Family, and the 2 groups performing under the name MANHATTANS. Where a IDENTIFIER has to be advertised when performing, so the public knows which group of Manhattans they purchased their ticket to see, Given Mr. Edward Sonny Bivins, was the founder of The Manhattans in 1962, when they began their musical journey. And his legacy and name should be carried on, after his passing in 2014. These 4 Gentlemen are known as The Manhattans of Sonny Bivins / Sonny Bivins Manhattans. They are currently on the 70s Soul Jam Tours, as well as performing all over the USA, UK, South Korea, The Caribbean Islands. With the blessings of Mark Bivins, Pamela Bivins Jordan, Douglas Bivins, and Mrs. Amy Bivins. The Manhattans of Sonny Bivins, The legacy Lives On .
The Manhattans Of Sonny Bivins
Legacy Continues
Charles must have been marked to be in the Entertainment business, his mother (Dorothy) danced on the chorus line at the famous Cotton Club and the Apollo Theater. His godmother Mary Ballard Marcou is the former sister in law of Florence Ballard and his godfather is the Rev. William E. Lee, a great musician and singer in his own right. Rev. Lee was very instrumental in teaching Charles how to use his voice at a young age. He taught him how not to strain or misuse his vocal cords. After a few years of singing in the choir at his godfather’s church, Charles left and began singing Quartet music with the Morning Star Gospel Singers. With the Morning Star’s Charles would Learn a lot about the techniques of being a singer, through the guidance of Robert Smith Sr. Brother Bob, as he was known, taught the group about blending, pitch, harmonies, phrasing, and showmanship, he also was the uncle of (Harsey Hemphill) who was in the group with Charles. While there Charles and Harsey would perfect their craft together and a personal friendship and singing partnership would ensue them up to this date (56 yrs) and counting. After singing gospel for several years he joined a local group called “Sky’s The Limit” with this group he would record under the De- lite record label, the same label as (kool & the Gang, Crown Heights Affair). Charles would leave Sky’s The Limit after a few years and began to work as a (wardrobe Valet) for the Manhattans. He then would go on to do studio projects with well know artists & producers like Teddy Riley, Leroy Burgess, Grand Puba (of the brand Nubian) Benny Diggs, John Cooksey, Tony Wells and Livingston Taylor, to name a few. Charles is the 2nd Tenor and the practical joker of the group he always keeps everybody upbeat and loose.
Charles D. Hardy
Dorothy Sebastian
Tribal Elder Of The Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation . And Father WILLIE L. HARDY
Tribal Elder Of Creek/ Seminole Indian Tribe
Kirk Hill
Harlem singer, rapper, and songwriter Kirk Hill fuses old school flavor with modern sounds to create music that tells personal stories about love, loss, hope, and truth. Compared with singers like Donell Jones and rappers like LL Cool J, it’s clear that there is a cleaner, more conventional sound driving his music, creating a “retro, feel-good vibe”.
Kirk first started his music journey writing songs with his friends in high school in 2009, having formed a group with them. They eventually performed at an NYCHA competition at the Apollo theatre, winning 2nd place. Once he started to make his own music, he gained a momentum creatively and created two mixtapes while in high school, and three while in college, as well as an EP.
Inspired by his parent’s love for music, Kirk has been singing since the age of 2 and has always appreciated the soul of Motown and classics from the ’60s and forward. His influences come from groups like The Temptations and New Edition, to solo acts like Michael Jackson, Ne-Yo, Usher. His rap influences stem from Will Smith and Notorious B.I.G., with more modern rappers such as Big Sean and J Cole.
2019 has seen the release of Kirk’s first music video, titled “Release,” and will soon see the release of his first official single, then a double mixtape, with more to come in the future.
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Harsey Hemphill
Harsey comes from a singing family. His mother, aunts, and cousins had a gospel group called “The Starletts”. They were the female version of his grandfather, great uncles, uncles & cousins family quartet group called the Morning Star Gospel Singers. While singing with the Morning Stars, Harsey would befriend (Charles Hardy) and together they would become singing partners through out their careers. Harsey was also in ‘Sky’s The Limit’ (De-lite Records). He would sing on studio projects and work along side of well known producers like, Teddy Riley (Guy and Black Street Fame) Patrick Adams (Black Ivory Fame) Tony Wells (The Jet’s, Glenn Jones, Evan Rogers). Harsey is the cousin of the late Shirley Hemphill of (What’s Happening fame) he has a very out going personality, he loves to be around people the more the better. Harsey has one of the sweetest 1st Tenors in the business though it hasn’t been heard on lead songs as of yet. When you do hear him, you will see why they call him the Candyman. What caught Sonny’s ear from the beginning was the vocal blend that Harsey and Charles had between them. Harsey sings 1st Tenor in the group .
Keni Jackson
Keni Jackson has performed background for Patti Labelle and Earth Wind & Fire.
I was born on January 4th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He made his first debut at the tender age of four on a then well known variety show from the 70's called " The Al Albert's Showcase" where he became a regular. He quickly became an entity in the entertainment circuit which earned him several roles in stage plays.
Keni has toured with the legendary Patti LaBelle and Earth Wind & Fire as a backup vocalist/ bass player. He has also been vocalist and instrumentalist in several bands
which includes;
Johnny O & The Classic Dogs of Love
Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
Cutting Edge Orchestra
Soul Patch Philly
CTO Orchestra
Sound Check
The Tramps
E.T. Band
He's also graced the stage with the incomparable Larry Graham & Graham Central Station who's responsible for hits like" One In A Million", "Just Be My Lady" and "Dance to The Music" to name a few. He is an accomplished Vocalist, Instrumentalist, DJ, Writer, Producer, Engineer, Pioneer and true Showman dedicated to his work.Keni's greatest yet most humbling accomplishment to date was becoming an Ordained Minister and lead vocalist for The Manhattans . He provides services as a form of healing by way of music which , sooths, calms, and uplifting the spirit.
