‘Gullah’ musical group opens season at Miller Center
The musical group Ranky Tanky will be performing at Reading Area Community College’s Miller Center for the Arts on Friday, Sept. 22, at 7:30 p.m. Ranky Tanky is known for their unique blend of traditional “Gullah” with funk, blues and spirituals that recently won the attention of many at the 60th Monterey Jazz Festival in California.
“Gullah” comes from West African language and means “a people blessed by God.” “Ranky Tanky” translates loosely as “Work It,” or “Get Funky!” In this spirit this Charleston, SC based quintet performs timeless music of Gullah culture born in the southeastern Sea Island region of the United States. From playful game songs to ecstatic shouts, from heartbreaking spirituals to delicate lullabies, the musical roots of Charleston, SC are “rank” and fertile ground from which these contemporary artists are grateful to have grown.
South Carolina natives Quentin Baxter, Kevin Hamilton, Charlton Singleton, and Clay Ross first came together in 1998, fresh out of University, to form a seminal Charleston jazz quartet. Now, united by years apart and a deeper understanding of home, these accomplished artists have come together again, joined by one of the lowcountry’s most celebrated vocalists Quiana Parler, to revive a “Heartland of American Music” born in their own backyards.
A post-performance meetand-greet and signing with RANKY TANKY will be held in the Miller Center lobby.
Tickets for RANKY TANKY are $27 for adults and $15 for students and may be purchased by calling the Miller Center box office at 610.607.6270 or visiting millercenter.racc.edu.