Tank and the Bangas will return to one of the clubs where they got their start on Saturday night. The opening act is a fine new aggregation featuring local and national rock and world music heavyweights.
Kettle Black is the brainchild of keyboardist Keith Burnstein, former leader of the Mumbles and keyboardist with Kristin Diable and Cole Williams among many others. The band features dueling percussionists Michael Skinkus and Luke Quaranta (Toubab Krewe), guitarist Raja Kassis (Antibalas), and saxophonist Charles Lumar.
The music of Kettle Black takes its cues from the African and Cuban influences found in New Orleans music. It is funky, heartfelt; like a quiet dance. Burnstein’s inspirations as a songwriter come from a deep pool. Tin Pan Alley is the touchstone, but he cites modern songwriters like Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, jazz great Keith Jarrett, and New Orleans’ own Dr. John as important in his musical development. He has toured with funk legends the Headhunters (on the piano bench of no less a luminary than Herbie Hancock) and has released three albums as a leader.
Headliners Tank and the Bangas have been setting the world on fire since their debut nearly six years ago. While diligently working on completing their new record, bandleader and vocalist Tarriona “Tank” Ball and backing singer Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph appeared with Blue Note recording artist Norah Jones on NBC’s Today Show and The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon.
The music of Tank and the Bangas includes elements of R&B, hip-hop, funk, spoken word and jazz. Their zany theatrics and soul rousing music has earned them numerous accolades including a “Best Emerging Artist” award from OffBeat magazine in 2014.