Lisa Fischer and Ranky Tanky. There is so much happening with this dynamic pairing, I don’t even know where to begin.

But let’s go back 10 years.

It was in a movie theater at the 39^th Seattle International Film Festival where I first saw the documentary “Twenty Feet from Stardom.” The doc had plenty of buzz leading up to the screening, with stories and music from a who’s who line-up of modern pop, and classic rock & roll stars.

No stars, just talent

But, as the name of the doc suggests, the real stars were the singers behind the headliner. The ones who, night after night, make the frontman (and it’s almost always a man) shine – without getting much credit or recognition.

In this case, those singers were Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, Claudia Lennear, and Judith Hill. You may not have heard their names before but you knew their voices as they could be heard backing The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, Sting, and other notable stars of that era.

Hollywood certainly sat up and took notice, awarding “Twenty Feet from Stardom” with an Oscar for Best Documentary.

But Fischer wasn’t just 20 feet away. Around the time she joined the Rolling Stones for their 1989 Steel Wheels tour, she recorded “How Can I Ease The Pain.” This solo outing earned her a Grammy for Best R&B performance.

Front and center

Now, 10 years after the award-winning doc, it’s our chance to hear Lisa Fischer – the voice behind Luther Vandross, Chaka Khan, Tina Turner, and even Nine Inch Nails (among a long list of others) – front and center.

Fischer takes to the Jazz Alley stage August 3 – 5 as she joins forces with the multiple Grammy Award winning band Ranky Tanky.

If you are in the mood for a good funk band, Ranky Tanky will not disappoint. In fact, the name Ranky Tanky is derived from a Gullah phrase that literally translates into ‘get funky’.

Ranky Tanky swings by Jazz Alley fresh off its Grammy award winning album, “Live at the 2022 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.” The Charleston-based quintet is made up of Charlton Singleton on trumpet, Clay Ross on guitar, Kevin Hamilton on bass, Quentin Baxter on drums, and Quiana Parler on vocals.

And, with Lisa Fischer adding her powerhouse vocals to the mix, this paring is sure to have Jazz Alley packed and jumping.

Lisa Fischer / Ranky Tanky Together
Aug 3 – 6, 2023
Tickets

If you can’t wait to August to get your jazz fix, then head to Jazz Alley this weekend as Kirk Whalum hits the stand July 20 – 23.

Both Whalum and Fischer have graced the albums of Luther Vandross during their careers, and both appeared on the 2004 tribute album to Vandross, “Forever, for Always, for Luther.”

Sit back, relax, and expect some classic smooth jazz from Whalum to help iron out any rough edges.

Kirk Whalum
July 20 – 23
Tickets