Tank and The Bangas and Big Freedia bring that big NOLA energy to the legendary Blue Note in New York City
Photos by Tianna Howard
Best New Artist Grammy nominees Tank and The Bangas wrapped up a six night residency in New York's iconic Jazz club Blue Note New York from November 11 - November 20. The New Orleans-based band was joined by special guests Big Freedia, Keyon Harrold, Isaiah Sharkey, Kat Edmonson, Brandee Younger, and more surprise guests.
Coming from New Orleans and notably one of Michelle Obama’s favorite bands, Tank and the Bangas are a five-piece group with a rare knack for combining various musical styles - fiery soul, deft hip-hop, deep-groove R&B and subtle jazz- into one dazzling, cohesive whole that evokes the scope of New Orleans music while retaining a distinctive feel all its own. "It's music that can't really be put in a box," says singer and poet Tarriona "Tank" Ball.
SHEER had special access to Tank and the Bangas Blue Note show during the night of Big Freedia’s guest appearance and the energy brought by these combined performers was palpable. Both Tank and Big Freedia hail from the effervescent and magical city of New Orleans and paid homage to their roots while performing their joint single, “Big.” The legendary “Queen of Bounce,” Big Freedia let us know she “got the juice that make the girls wan move” as her and Tank twerked to the up-tempo beat and heavy bass of this crowd favorite collaboration.
Before diving into her global dance hit with Beyoncé “Break My Soul,” which Big Freedia has writing credits on making her a now a top contender for a Grammy Award, the crowd chanted “Freedia! Freedia! Freedia!” Of course it was only right for Big Freedia to follow up with her classic and recognizable, “You already knoooooow!”
SHEER exclusive video of Big Freedia performing with Tank and The Bangas at Blue Note in New York City.
“The legendary ‘Queen of Bounce,’ Big Freedia let us know she “got the juice that make the girls wan move” as her and Tank twerked to the up-tempo beat and heavy bass of this crowd favorite collaboration. ”
Tank slowed the tempo down a bit with a soulful rendition of the band’s single “Black Folk,” which she describes as a song “about my love for Black people—everything that they are, everything that they do, their hair, the little girls, Jazzfest. All the beautiful things about us and the things that we like to cover up with pain, laughter, food and music, the family secrets, all of it. The way we look at other Black people that have so-called ‘made it,’ like Cicely Tyson and Serena Williams and Tyler Perry. It’s an ode to Black people.”
Solo flute and saxophone performances by Alumnus Albert Allenback were captivating as he alternated between instruments with grace and ease.
The experience initially felt like a typical live show in a venue full of strangers that somehow transformed into a family function of relatives you never knew you had now bonded through music and laughter. The warmth of the crowd, the rhythms, love, and high energy emanating from the performers definitely made this a night to remember.
Check out Blue Note’s website for more information on upcoming shows.
See more photos from the performance below. Photos by Tianna Howard.
Photography by Nabila Wirakusumah
NYALLAH is known for blending elements of neo-soul, R&B, hip-hop, and West African rhythms while exploring themes of self-expansion, transformation, and love. With their latest project, R+B, recorded in phases spanning a near-death bike accident and an eye-opening trip to Costa Rica, R+B navigates relationships, desirability, and self-awareness from a black queer perspective. Through enchanting vocals and vulnerable lyrics, NYALLAH reminds us that desirability is not love and our liberation lies in de-centering ourselves and prioritizing collective care.