German-born Uwe Stengel studied European classical and jazz traditions before touring Australia in the 1960s. Deeply inspired by meeting Dizzy Gillespie as a teenager, he named his band after one of Gillespie’s compositions. In 1973, he formed Manteca, a jazz-fusion group on the east coast that toured nationally. By the late ’70s, Stengel had moved to Western Australia to start a new version of Manteca, which became one of Perth’s hottest acts with up to 11 members. They sold out the Old Melbourne and Windsor hotels, ran full-page newspaper ads, and appeared on national TV. In 1980, they won the Radio 6iX WA Masters of Music Award, and the following year starred in a 10-part ABC TV series, Manteca In Concert.
Their self-titled debut, recorded in 1979 at Perth’s 720 6WF, blended jazz, funk, and rock. Half the album leaned toward funky rock with Alan Lyford’s vocals, reminiscent of mid-’70s Average White Band or Tower of Power. Their second album, 'Fusion' (1981, ABC Records), mixed instrumental fusion with vocal tracks, featuring highlights like ''The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter'', a mellow, Brazilian-flavored groove. The band disbanded in 1983 after numerous lineup changes, with members hailing from well-known Perth rock groups such as Paul Pooley (Matt Taylor Band), Ric Whittle (Fatty Lumpkin), Brendon Darby (SSARB), and Mick Glendinning (Fatty Lumpkin). In 2010, Stengel revived Manteca with a new all-star lineup, launching at the Perth Jazz Society Headquarters—but that’s another story.
Members
Uwe Stengel (sax/flute), Alan Lyford (vocals), Lennie Parker (guitar), Alan Pithers (piano), Bruce Johnson (keyboards), Paul Pooley (bass), Ric Whittle (drums), Gary Ridge (percussion), Paul Millard (sax), Brendon Darby (trumpet), Nigel Crocker (trombone), Sue Bluck (vocals), Joanne Vine (vocals), Dee Baude (vocals), Mick Glendenning (bass), Clive Lendich (guitar), Glen Walsh (drums), Tony Borthwick (sax), Robbie Corveia (drums), Rolly Santos (vocals/trumpet), Peter Lothian (trombone), Greg Shultz (keyboards), Cliff Lynton (guitar), Ross Gunther (sax/flute), Andy Ross (trombone), Jenny Wrenn (vocals), Kerry Byron (vocals)
SINGLES ''Hold On To Love / I Remember'' 1980 RCA
ALBUMS'Manteca' 1979 720 6WF
'Fusion' 1981 ABC
