Tarriona ‘Tank’ Ball Sings National Anthem With Preservation Hall Jazz Band At NCAA Finals
Ball is the lead singer of Best New Artist nominees Tank & The Bangas.
Tarriona “Tank” Ball—of Best New Artist Grammy nominees Tank and The Bangas—sang the National Anthem with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band ahead of the men’s NCAA Tournament final between Kansas and North Carolina. The video is available to view on the official NCAA March Madness Twitter page.
The performance follows an exciting few days for Ball, who celebrated her band’s nomination at the GRAMMY Awards on April 3, and debuted a new song and accompanying video, “Why Try,” which features Questlove, on March 31.
“Why Try” is the latest song to be revealed from the band’s third studio album, Red Balloon, set for release on May 13 via Verve Forecast. Of the song, Ball says, “A lot of women forget that power comes from vulnerability and being very completely honest with your partner instead of putting on a front. On ‘Why Try,’ we have a vulnerable woman who isn’t afraid to say, ‘I like you and you’re not giving me the same energy back. I know you like me, too.’”
Most recently, the group debuted two new songs—“Stolen Fruit” and “Black Folk” featuring Alex Isley & Masego—in celebration of Black History Month while their track “No ID” premiered earlier this year. The new music continues to receive critical praise; Vibe proclaims, “[‘Black Folk’ is an] endearing ode to Black people, culture, and experiences, showcasing the most underrated moments of the neo-soul wave.” BET furthers, “Tarriona Ball’s commanding vocal presence gets alchemized on ‘No ID,’ a disco-influenced number.”
Red Balloon was born out of a pandemic-ordered break from the band’s rigorous touring schedule. The hiatus gave the band space to breathe and double down on who they are as artists, allowing them to reunite as a more unified group. The new work has evolved and pushes the band to a new level, shedding light on their unique observations and songwriting reflecting on the ills of America while also celebrating the beauty of Black life.
Predominantly produced by Tank and the Bangas, the 16-track album was recorded at Bangaville Studios in New Orleans and Revival Studios in Los Angeles. Red Balloon also includes contributions from Lalah Hathaway, Big Freedia, Jacob Collier, Trombone Shorty, Jamison Ross, The Hamiltones, Georgia Anne Muldrow, and Wayne Brady.
