Ranky Tanky

Part of the Peace Passport Field Trip Series

Loosely translated from the Gullah phrase for “get down” or “work it”, Ranky Tanky unites celebrated musicians from the low country and pays tribute to the rich history of this distinct community. The ensemble’s contemporary blend of jazz, gospel, funk, and R&B is rooted in game songs, work songs, and spirituals collected from early field recordings taken along the Carolina Coast. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, the musicians of Ranky Tanky bring together a shared love of home in a musical experience that commemorates Gullah heritage and helps revive a “Heartland of American Music” born in their own backyards.

Recommended Grade Levels: 3-12