From Bluegrass to Dixieland

Tank and the Beez is an acoustic roots band from Chicago celebrating the pre-war sounds that helped shape American music: country blues, traditional jazz, early folk, and beyond. With warm vocal harmonies and driving acoustic rhythms, our music channels the spirit of old-time radio - timeless melodies that continue to resonate today.

At the heart of what we do is a commitment to keeping the songs that shaped American music alive, not as museum pieces, but as living, breathing music meant to be shared. During the Great Migration, Chicago became a hub for jazz, blues, and folk musicians building community through storytelling. We try honor that tradition by bringing these tunes into the present, playing them with an energy that highlights not only their significance in their own time, but the way they continue to resonate today.

Tank and the Beez has been called “transporting” by local author Geralyn Hesslau Magrady, and Alan Bresloff of Around Town Chicago has referred to their music as “stirring” and “well-done”. The group's timeless vocals and unassuming instrumentation hearken back to the era of old-time radio.

Tank and the Beez can operate as a duo, trio, or quartet depending on availability and the needs of the venue. Centered around husband and wife, Brian “Tank” (upright bass, harmonica, vocals) and Beth “Beez” (guitar, vocals) Blankenship, the band often features a rotating cast of talented Chicagoland musicians like Amy Malouf (percussion, piano, vocals), Tommy Malouf (mandolin, vocals), and Caleb Catalano (guitar).

Their calling to this music genre is undeniable, as they capture a time and place many musicians strive to accomplish but miss the mark. Sure to be a new sensation in the community.

Geralyn Hesslau Magrady, Author

Beez

Beth “Beez” Blankenship grew up in a musical family, with several artistically inclined siblings and her father directing choirs, teaching music, and playing in his own sixties rock-and-roll cover band. She sang and performed in choirs, musicals, and operas throughout her formative years. Beez also spent a stretch of time working as a server at Red Lobster, which she describes as, “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Beez is a Board Certified Music Therapist, specializing in children and adults with disabilities and hospice care. She is also a teacher for the internationally-recognized music program for parents and young children, Music Together.

Tank

Brian “Tank” Blankenship began taking piano lessons in grade school but quickly lost interest. His love of music was rekindled upon discovering The Beatles around age eleven. While in college, Tank discovered a knack for writing songs quickly and on-command. He was once hired to play guitar music for a wedding and, rather than admit he did not play guitar and pass up on the gig, he taught himself to play in two weeks. 

Tank is a former non-profit professional and a current educator, teaching secondary English Language Arts as well as beginning and intermediate music. He also partners frequently with Chicago theatre companies as a musician, music director, and composer.

Photo Credit: Laura Suprenant