Three College of Charleston alumni are in the running for a Grammy nomination with their band Ranky Tanky.
Started by alumnus Clay Ross ’98, Ranky Tanky, which is a Gullah term loosely translated as “work it” or “get funky,” takes a modern approach to the traditional sounds of Gullah music. Rooted in the cultural traditions passed down from West African slaves in the sea islands of South Carolina, Georgia and North Carolina, Gullah culture encompasses a rich African-American heritage expressed through arts, crafts, cuisine and the creole influenced language of Gullah.
Members of Ranky Tanky from left: Charlton Singleton, Kevin Hamilton, Quiana Parler, Quentin Baxter and Clay Ross. (Photo by Peter Frank Edwards)
Ranky Tanky features a quintet of musicians including Ross on vocals and guitar, Quentin Baxter ’98 on drums, Kevin Hamilton ’95 on bass, Charlton Singleton on trumpet and vocals, and Quiana Parler on vocals. Ross, Baxter and Hamilton all majored in music at the College. Baxter also previously worked as adjunct faculty at CofC, teaching jazz percussion.
RELATED: Read about the origins of Ranky Tanky.
On Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019, the Grammy Awards released its 2020 nominees list, which included a nomination for Ranky Tanky’s new release “Good Time,” for Best Regional Roots Music Album. The category is for albums containing at least 51 percent playing time of new vocal or instrumental regional roots music recordings.
“Good Time,” Ranky Tanky’s sophomore album, debuted in July 2019 at No. 2 on Billboard’s Jazz Chart. The band’s self-titled freshman release, which came out in 2017, hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Jazz and Contemporary Jazz charts in January 2018.
The success of the band is something Ross has credited to the close friendships the group shares. They’ve all known each other for more than 20 years.
“It feels very special,” he said in a 2017 interview with The College Today. “I think that we are very lucky to have met one another when we were young, and to have maintained our friendships over the years, and that now, having realized significant accomplishments individually, that together we are uniquely qualified to represent the roots music of our home for international audiences. I think the combination of our natural chemistry and talents as musicians, in service of this timeless and important music from our home, makes this project something truly special.”
