Ranky Tanky

Quentin Baxter [Drums and Percussion]
Kevin Hamilton [Bass]
Quiana Parler [Vocalist]
Clay Ross [Guitar and Vocals]
Charlton Singleton [Trumpet and Vocals]

RANKY TANKY have achieved many firsts for South Carolina’s West African-rooted Gullah community since their formation, earning yet another milestone at the 2019 GRAMMY® Awards by taking home the Best Regional Roots Album prize for their sophomore release, Good Time. The album, which also hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart, combines songs carried down through generations in the Sea Islands of the Southeastern United States with the band’s own original compositions in the Gullah tradition. In Ranky Tanky’s hands, this style of music has been described as “soulful honey to the ears” (NPR) while being covered by the New York Times, PBS Newshour, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, NPR’s Fresh Air and The TODAY Show, who had the band on for a performance.

Ranky Tanky (a Gullah phrase for “get funky”) are five lifelong friends from Charleston, South Carolina who have established themselves as passionate global ambassadors for their local culture and community, helping to faithfully preserve the traditions originated by African Americans in the coastal South during slavery that are kept alive through the present day. Ranky Tanky were honored to be featured artists in President Biden’s inauguration event, We The People.