Ranky Tanky
“Lisa Fischer is a master shapeshifter, and trying to get a firm grasp on her music is a fool’s errand. Just when you think she’s settled into a particular style or setting she heads off in a new direction. In this project, she joins Grammy Award-winning Gullah groovemasters Ranky Tanky, a band of native South Carolinians who mix the low country traditions with large doses of jazz, gospel, funk, and R&B. Originally working together as an in-demand jazz quartet on the Charleston scene, the group named for the Gullah/Geechee phrase meaning “Get Funky!” added the dynamic vocalist Quiana Parler to celebrate the bone-deep mix of spirituals and gutbucket blues that marks the low country mainland and Sea Islands.” Quiana, vibrating with excitement about the collaboration, described Fischer as “electrifying, timeless, and a force to be reckoned with. I am so honored to be able to share the stage with such great music royalty!” (San Jose Mercury/Andy Gilbert)