There are concerts,
and then there are CONCERTS (!), and the concert given by Ranky
Tanky with special guest Lisa Fischer at The Quick Center for the Arts in Fairfield,
Connecticut definitely fell
into the latter category! It was an evening of exceptional Roots, Gullah,
and Jazz music that had an appreciative audience on its feet awarding
the double Grammy winners with standing ovations throughout the
concert on Friday, November 10, 2023.
Ranky Tanky & Lisa Fischer
at Quick Center
Charleston,
South Carolina based Ranky Tanky is comprised of Quentin
Baxter on drums and percussion, Kevin Hamilton on bass, vocalist Quiana
Parler, Clay Ross on guitar and vocals, and Charleton Singleton
on trumpet and vocals. When Ranky Tanky came on stage, Charleton
Singleton explained, "Where we're from, it's all about participation and having
fun;" and that is exactly what the concert was all about. Ranky Tanky
brought their Gullah-Jazz blend of music as well as tremendous energy and
excitement that had the audience dancing in their seats, in the aisles, and on
their feet to show their appreciation all night.
The band
opened with the song, Be Alright, and got the music party going. Next
came the song, Down in my Heart, which had great harmonies as well as
instrumentals. Interesting to note about the band is that they have all known
each other for about 30 years and decided to put together the band to celebrate
Gullah music in 2017. In 2019 they released their debut album, Good Time,
which won a Grammy for Best Regional Roots Music Album in 2020. Their second
album, Live At The 2022 New Orleans Jazz And Heritage Festival earned
them their second Grammy for Best Regional Roots Music Album.
Raised In
the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn, New York, Miss Lisa Fischer has an amazing
musical backstory. For over the past 40 years she has made music her career,
and her storied resume includes singing background for the legendary Luther
Vandross for two decades. She toured with The Rolling Stones on their
1989 Steel Wheels Tour and then spent the next 26 years with them, and also
performed with Chaka Khan, Tina Turner, Nine Inch Nails, and others.
Stepping
out on her own, when she released her debut album in 1991 entitled So
Intense, she earned her first Grammy award in 1992 for the song How Can
I Ease The Pain, in the Best Female R&B Vocal Performance category. Lisa
brought home her second Grammy for the film 20 Feet From Stardom in the
Best Music Film category.
Lisa
Fischer joined Ranky Tanky on stage for the song This Land - Freedom,
and this was a powerhouse of a song with two tremendous female vocalists. Lisa
dedicated the next song to all those in the audience who were brave enough to
find someone and stay together, before segueing into the song Wild Horses
joined by Quentin Baxter on drums, Kevin Hamilton on bass, and Clay Ross on
guitar. This song earned a standing ovation, one of the many that would occur
over the course of the amazing concert. Lisa is a consummate performer with an
amazing vocal range whether she is singing low or letting her voice soar to the
back row of the theatre, and when she is on stage, she has the star power to
make an immediate connection with her audience.
Ranky Tanky & Lisa Fischer
Next on the
setlist was, Can't Judge A Book, where Quentin's drum solo set the pace
as the full band returned to the stage. This song also had a great trumpet
feature by Charleton Singleton. With each song, there were great story
introductions as Ranky Tanky and Lisa Fischer moved through the set list
of Time Has Come - Sometime, This Village, Good Time - Let The
Good Times Roll, and the traditional Gullah song Shoo Lie Loo, which
had the audience singing background.
Lisa Fischer
Ranky Tanky and Lisa Fischer closed out the concert with the song, Imagine -
Come Together, followed by the song by the same name as the band, Ranky
Tanky, which in the Gullah culture means funky, and had the audience
singing along for one last memorable moment of music in a night full of
performance magic.
Edward F. Nesta & Quentin Baxter
After the
exceptional concert, there was a VIP reception where guests had the opportunity
to meet with the Ranky Tanky band members, and Lisa Fischer, making it
the perfect finale to another musical highlight at The Quick Center for the
Arts.
Debra C. Argen & Charleton Singleton
Until next
time, keep enjoying the music!
Watch a
teaser Ranky Tanky (with Lisa Fischer): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2FdPEYMnv8
A Sampling
of Upcoming Performances at The Quick Center for the Arts
Ranky
Tanky & Lisa Fischer
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November
10, 2023
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Michael
Keegan Dolan Teać Damsa = Mám
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November
17-18, 2023
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The Met
Live in HD: The Life & Times of Malcolm X
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November
18, 2023
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The
Lucille Lortel Festival of New Plays
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November
30, December 2-3, 2023
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The Met
Live in HD: Florencia en al Amazonas
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December
12, 2023
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The Met
Live in HD: Verdi's Nabucco
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January
6, 2024
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Kyle
Abraham A.I.M. (World Premiere)
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January
26, 2024
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The Met
Live in HD: Bizet's Carmen
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January
27, 2024
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Independent
Play Project
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January
26-28, 2024
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Drum Tao
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February
4, 2024
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Project X
by Judy Tate
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February
14-15, 2024
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Duets:
Dianne Reeves, Chuco Valdés, Joe Lovano
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May 3,
2024
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Please visit The Quick Center for the Arts' website to see
the full 2023-2024 Season Program: https://quickcenter.fairfield.edu/2023-24-season-calendar/index.html
There is free on-site parking at The Quick Center for the Arts.
Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts (The Quick Center for the Arts)
Fairfield University
1073 North Benson Road
Fairfield, Connecticut 06824-5195
United States
Box Office: 203-254-400
Toll-Free: 1-877-ARTS-396
Email:
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Website: https://quickcenter.fairfield.edu
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/FairfieldQuick
Ranky Tanky Information:
Website: www.rankytanky.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RankyTankyMusic
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/rankytankymusic
Lisa Fischer Information:
Website: www.LisaFischerMusic.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LisaFischerSings
Instagram: www.instagram.com/l.i.s.a.f.i.s.c.h.e.r
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Experience on YouTube: @edwardnesta9910 @luxurypair
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© November 2023.
Luxury Experience. www.LuxuryExperience.com All rights reserved.
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