Jamming
with the Jags presents recent performances by the Southern Band,
including this year's trip to the Bayou Classic. It also examines
the origin of the stage band at Southern and how it was transformed
into a marching band. Interesting bits of the history of Southern
and the ideals espoused by Joseph and Felton Clark are sprinkled throughout
the program. It concludes with the legacy of Isaac Greggs who is 73
years old.
Southern University
Band Directors
Tony Langston
W.H. Hamlin
Ella Amacker Patty
J.O.B. Mosley
T. Leroy Davis
Ludwig Freeman
Isaac Greggs
Learn
the story of the fabulous Jaguar Marching Band!
They
have performed at four Superbowls, three presidential inaugurations,
the Rose Bowl and Radio City Music Hall. Their halftime showdowns
in the Superdome against the Grambling Band at the Bayou Classic are
as big an attraction as the game itself.
Founded
at the beginning of the 2Oth Century, the Southern Band had to scramble
for uniforms and instruments in its early years. Current band director
Isaac Greggs took the helm in 1969, transforming the band into one of
the great musical attractions in the world. He says the halftime performances
are the result of a lot of hard work and careful planning. Showmanship
is a major part of the band's appeal with Drum Major Xavier Gerald literally
bending over backwards to give the crowd a good show.
"We're
not trying to be provocative but creative and trying to give the crowd
what they want to see. Not too much overdoing it, don't want to under
do it also, but we want to keep it right at the middle, right at the
middle," Gerald said.
The Southern
Band: Jamming with the Jags 
Jamming
with the Jags presents recent performances by the Southern Band,
including this year's trip to the Bayou Classic. It also examines
the origin of the stage band at Southern and how it was transformed
into a marching band. Interesting bits of the history of Southern
and the ideals espoused by Joseph and Felton Clark are sprinkled throughout
the program. It concludes with the legacy of Isaac Greggs who is 73
years old. 
