Ranky Tanky

Ranky Tanky is a Charleston based jazz band that carries on the musical legacy of South Carolina's Gullah region. Their music is a unique combination of gospel, traditional folk with West African threads, and a layer of jazz that often has a nice New Orleans bend. The instrumentalist members of the band had played together during their college years, so there is a palpable sense of a well-oiled ensemble feel to the way they play. Their songs are typically upbeat and draw from an array of sources, such as folk songs, spirituals, children's rhymes, so on. Between the solid rhythm section, the versatile guitar that adds a nice folk touch as needed, and crisp, bright trumpet, this is a remarkable band in the first place. The addition of the amazing Quiana Parler on vocals brings the band up to another level. She is an absolute powerhouse with an electric stage presence who projects a wide emotional range and helps spread all that Gullah goodness.