Fronted by the unstoppable slam poet and singer Tarriona “Tank” Ball and rolling out a joyous sound that’s equal parts funk, hip hop, gospel, and spoken word, TANK AND THE BANGAS “are #BlackExcellence, #BlackGirlMagic, and Sly and The Family Stone rolled up into one beautiful collective.” (Okayplayer) Tank and the Bangas were formed in 2011 at an open mic set in New Orleans, centered at a shot gun house, Jerk Chicken Sam’iches, and a drum set. Instantaneously this group knew that they had something that stirred crowds that cried out for original music from them. If you’re from New Orleans, you know all the ingredients to make a good gumbo. Your seasonings have to mix well, your roux has to be thick, and your meat has to be cut to perfection. Tank and the Bangas are what you call a great gumbo! Group members include lead vocalist Tank, Norman Spence on bass/keyboard, Joshua Johnson on drums, Merell Burkett on keys, Nita Bailey on percussion, and various other Bangas.
Brooklyn native CORY HENRY, a Snarky Puppy alumnus and “one of the finest Hammond B-3 organ players of his generation,” (AllMusic) has been an in-demand musician for going on two decades. Stepping out as a frontman with his band THE FUNK APOSTLES, he’s proved himself an exceptional singer and bandleader, too. “The human voice is so powerful,” he says. “When I’m singing, it’s like this extra way of connecting and communicating with people beyond what I can do just playing the organ. I’m able to convey these messages that are really important and meaningful to me through my words. Being front and center like this every night, it’s a challenge, but I’m up for it.”