TANK AND THE BANGAS

ABOUT TANK AND THE BANGAS

Tank and the Bangas is an American musical group based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The band won the 2017 NPR Tiny Desk Contest and in November 2019, they were nominated in the Best New Artist category for the 2020 Grammy Awards. They have released three studio albums, Thinktank (2013), Green Balloon (2019), and Red Balloon (2022).

Members of Tank and the Bangas met at a New Orleans open mic show called Liberation Lounge at now-closed Blackstar Cafe and Books in the Algiers section of New Orleans and formed the group in 2011.

Writing in The Washingtonian, Heather Rudow described the group’s work as “lively fusion of funk, soul, hip hop, rock, and spoken word.” Speaking to the Times-Picayune, the musicians in the group mentioned a variety of genres they identify with, including rock, folk, gospel and Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph’s invention “Soulful Disney”. In addition to Disney, the group has also mentioned anime as an influence on the group’s “childlike” and “magical” sensibility, in Ball’s words. In the Financial Times, Joshua David Stein said, “Tank and the Bangas don’t conform to the jazz stereotypes trotted out in the lobbies of convention hotels or milked on Frenchman Street. It’s New Orleans but it’s New Orleans now.”

In The Village Voice, Rajul Punjabi described the group’s debut album ThinkTank as “sincere and eclectic. Ball’s vocals are strong and versatile—evidence of her childhood in church—and she coasts through sweet melodies and wide-ranging vocal undulations reminiscent of Nicki Minaj’s character voices. She throws gentle shade when reminded of this — ‘I’ve been doing that before she came out,’ she says.”

NPR named Tank and the Bangas the 2017 winner of NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest for their song “Quick”, NPR co-host of All Songs Considered Bob Boilen, “What won me over about the band’s performance of ‘Quick’ were the interactions among lead singer Tarriona ‘Tank’ Ball and her bandmates, and the way they seemed to surprise one another. It all felt so organic and on-the-spot.” Juror Trey Anastasio of Phish said, “I immediately loved this…Tank is a force of nature, just full of joy—and her band is killing in the background.” The story of the evolution of Tank’s voice was covered in an episode of NPR’s World Cafe show for essential and emerging artists.

JACOMO BAIROS

ABOUT JACOMO BAIROS

Described in the press as “thrilling,” “inspirational,” and “world-class,” Portuguese-American conductor, producer, and podcaster Jacomo Bairos challenges the preconceptions of orchestral repertoire by fusing musical genres, collaborating with a wide array of compelling and diverse artists, and integrating the modern orchestra into the worldwide community in innovative and powerful new ways. Defined by riveting performances, artistic excellence, a collaborative spirit, and education initiatives infused with mindfulness and wellness practices, Bairos has reframed the role an artistic leader can hold for its organization and the community it serves.

Bairos is the Artistic Director, Conductor, and Co-Founder along with composer Sam Hyken, for Nu Deco Ensemble, Miami’s 21st century, chamber orchestra. Since its inception in 2015, Nu Deco Ensemble has exploded onto Miami’s eclectic musical scene, captivating audiences, holistically engaging with its community, and fusing innovative, genre-bending orchestral performances and collaborations with the highest levels of musical artistry.

In the summer of 2023, Nu Deco Ensemble celebrated their major label debut with the release of a new EP titled “Duende” with Sony Music Masterworks. Their 8th album release, “Duende” features soaring orchestral versions of some of today’s most exciting artists from Sam Smith to Radiohead, the album also includes new, original music written by members of Nu Deco. With releases garnering over 10 million streams on all digital streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Music as well as over 5.5 million views on Youtube, Nu Deco celebrates living composers, reimagines all genres of music, and collaborates with a wide range of diverse musical guests, composers, choreographers, dancers, and mixed media artists.

In the 2023-24 season, Bairos embarks on touring and multiple recording projects with Metropole Orkest, culminating in a six-city European tour in Spring 2024. Other guest conducting season highlights include performances with the Atlanta, Baltimore, and Hartford Symphonies, the Chicago Philharmonic, National Philharmonic Warsaw, the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, and the Greensboro Symphony. As one of the most dynamic conductors of his generation, Bairos annually works with and maintains relationships with some of the world’s greatest orchestras and institutions. Other recent engagements include the San Francisco, St. Louis, Houston and Singapore Symphonies, as well as the Boston Pops and Cincinnati Pops, among others.

CHICAGO PHILHARMONIC

ABOUT CHICAGO PHILHARMONIC

The Chicago Philharmonic Society is a collaboration of nearly 200 of the highest-level musicians in the Midwest. Founded in 1988, the Philharmonic has made a name for itself as Chicago’s most dynamic orchestra. Our orchestra, known as Chicago Philharmonic, has been called one of the country’s finest symphonic orchestras (John von Rhein, Chicago Tribune). The brilliance of our structure is in our versatility—we curate the best ensemble for each concert from our exceptional pool of musicians, be it classical, jazz, pops, movie concerts, outreach programming, and everything else. With 30+ performances representing more than 350 high-caliber musicians employed annually, the Philharmonic plays a vital role sustaining Chicago’s music ecosystem by making the city a viable home for independent musicians.

Chicago Philharmonic Presents
Chicago Philharmonic’s symphonic and chamber concerts have garnered praise from audiences and critics alike. We take pride in creating genre-breaking, innovative programs, presenting major World and American Premieres, and performing orchestral classics. Our concerts take place throughout the Chicago area, at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Auditorium Theatre, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, and The Chicago Theatre.

Partner Concerts
Chicago Philharmonic is the premier collaborative orchestra in the Midwest, providing orchestral support to local, national, and international organizations and artists. In addition to our 30-year relationship with Ravinia Festival, we served as the Official Orchestra of the Joffrey Ballet for nearly a decade, and have worked with American Ballet Theatre, Lady Gaga, Carrie Underwood, Ballet Nacional de Cuba, Pitchfork Music Festival, “Weird Al” Yankovic, English National Ballet, and many more.

AUDITORIUM THEATRE

ABOUT AUDITORIUM THEATRE

Seating over 3,900, the Auditorium Theatre has a past that follows the path of Chicago’s history. From opera to hip-hop, from political conventions to sporting events, the Auditorium Theatre has played a role in the lives of Chicago citizens for 130 years.

The Auditorium Theatre is a National Historic Landmark known internationally for its perfect acoustics, innovative architecture, and stunning design. The idea for the Auditorium Theatre began with a Chicago businessman named Ferdinand Wythe Peck. He was dedicated to improving the city of Chicago, and after the Haymarket Square riot in 1886, he began plans for a structure he called the Auditorium Building. Peck envisioned a theatre that would be open to all Chicagoans, and incorporated the Chicago Auditorium Association for the purpose of developing the world’s largest, grandest building.