Imagine you’re at a sweltering Mardis Gras kick-back. Cajun aromas spike your nerves and thick swamp air hangs and shines as the sun sets over the bayou. Then, out of nowhere, a queen emerges to sing you the most lyrically intricate spoken word jazz story about the human experience, love, and childhood. You don’t have to go to New Orleans to get this experience – Tank and the Bangas brought this undeniably vibrant flare of creole culture through anecdotal poetry, funk, rap, and more to NYC. The New Orleans natives were sensational for Summer Stage’s inaugural summer event, which featured a star-filled line-up of funk, jazz, and DJ acts including The Soul Rebels, Marcus Miller, and DJ Logic.
Audience members roared when the ensemble took the stage and right off the bat, lead vocalist Tarriona ‘Tank’ Ball was an absolute force to be reckoned with as she commanded the crowd in a stunning yellow and silver sequin dress. With a captivating genre-blending instrumental presence and unreal lyrical prowess, the band started off the show with their original “Quick”. After the first track, we could tell there was a reason why they won a Grammy for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album in the last year. Tank’s style is a combination of multiple hip-hop and R&B artists combined. The ability to characterize her voice based on impulses and directions her words provide is similar to that of Niki Minaj, while her storytelling ability reminds us of great MCs like Lauryn Hill. All this to say, she’s a performer in her own league and her originality shines from the culture in her veins and brings poetry to our ears.
Accompanying Tank was an insanely talented group of instrumentalists and vocalists who helped to bring the heat during their set especially during a favorite cover of ours, “Another Star” by Stevie Wonder. There was no shortage of spoken word poetry as pieces like “This Black Girl” and “Remember ft. Samara Joy and Robert Glasper” had us closing our eyes to feel the emotion of Tank’s own human experience, a soliloquy of growing up different and finding herself through the chaos of life. Other notable tracks were a cover of “Hollywood Swinging” by Kool and the Gang as well as Big (ft. Big Freida), a song off their Grammy nominated Album Red Balloon, which brought the NOLA funk to NYC.
With the show coming to a close, what other way to end a set than with some rock n’ roll as they busted out “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey mashed up into their original track “The Bradys,” which sounded like something out of a Disney channel movie and had our heads absolutely spinning. Needless to say, Tank and The Bangas brought a refreshing new take on poetry, jazz, hip-hop, and more, making them a must-see act this summer on their US tour.
Connect with Tank and the Bangas on Instagram, Spotify, TikTok and their website.
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groovers•August 23, 2025
Jonathan Sherman
Jonathan is a multi-talented creative who bridges the worlds of music and technology. As the CEO and founder of Return Records, he is building a modern record label with a retro-inspired sound. As a Change Manager and Digital Experience Specialist at the World Economic Forum, he focuses on reimagining user experiences. From his early inspirations listening to Bob Dylan and Motown, to his work today as a musician, DJ, and label founder, Jonathan embodies a dynamic and multidisciplinary approach to artistry, proving that music and tech can find their perfect groove.
During golden hour on the rooftop of Return Records (the setting of many music videos and most recently, a songwriting camp), we caught up Jonathan, where he answered a few questions for the groovement:
What was the first concert you attended?
The first concert I ever attended was Bob Dylan in the early 2000s at the Portland Civic Center. At the time, guitar and songwriting were my whole world, so seeing Dylan live left a major impression. I was struck not only by his place as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, but also by his longevity and the way he constantly reinvented his music. It showed me that artistry can be timeless, dynamic, and always evolving.
Where are you from?
I’m originally from Kennebunkport, Maine, though I also grew up in Newton, Massachusetts just outside of Boston. I spent about ten years in Newton and another ten years in Maine before moving to Washington, DC. There, I studied international affairs and economics at American University and later earned a master’s in information technology from Georgetown University. I went on to spend around 12 years working in the government tech sector and entertainment. About two and a half years ago, I relocated to New York City, which has become home and the center of my work in both music and technology.
What do you do?
That’s the proverbial question in New York — and for me, it’s a two-part answer. By night, I’m in the music industry as the CEO and founder of Return Records, a distributed label with The Orchard and Sony Music. We focus on analog and retro-inspired sounds across house, pop, and rock, with the goal of becoming the Motown of the digital era. The label supports artists through live performance opportunities, publishing administration, music distribution, community building, and production.
By day, I’m a Change Manager and Digital Experience Specialist at the World Economic Forum. My work there is about reimagining user experiences for the Forum’s digital products and helping drive adoption of AI tools among staff and contractors. It’s a balance of innovation and artistry — and both sides feed each other in surprising ways.
Who or what do you draw inspiration from?
I’ve always been a multidisciplinary artist, so my inspiration comes from many places.
In music, I’m influenced by Motown, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Daft Punk, The Strokes, The Black Keys, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Tears for Fears, Michael Jackson, Wham!, Hall & Oates, and the Philadelphia Sound.
In art, my mother — a visual artist — introduced me to Van Gogh, Picasso, Maurice Utrillo, and the Impressionists.
In fashion, I’ve been drawn to American designers like Tom Ford and Thom Browne, as well as Italian masters like Giorgio Armani.
At the heart of it, I’m inspired by the spirit of 1920s French soirees — where music, art, fashion, and lifestyle merged to create transformative experiences.
What does live music mean to you?
For me, live music has always been about connection. When I was growing up, live performance meant seeing the artist in full — not just hearing their songs, but experiencing their presence and how they connected with people.
Today, I think live music has become something even more multi-dimensional. In a world shaped by digital platforms, social media, and post-COVID virtual experiences, live entertainment is about creating a multi-sensory, emotional connection. A great live show should engage all the senses — sight, sound, even atmosphere — and bridge the digital with the physical. To me, the best performances are immersive, holistic experiences that leave audiences feeling transformed.
Do you play any instruments?
Yes, I play several. I play acoustic and electric guitar, piano and keyboard, and I’m also a DJ, spinning mostly disco house and funky house. I’ve always been both a performer and an instrumentalist. While I don’t claim to be the best among my friends, I’ve always had enough rhythm and grounding in music fundamentals to write songs and shape ideas. From there, I often let performers and producers elevate the work. That’s been my process as a singer-songwriter and it continues in my role as a label founder.
Connect with Jonathan on Instagram and check out Return Records.
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