The Super Bowl is a national sports phenomenon widely celebrated by many all over the world. More than a football game, this meeting of two NFL teams, battling it out for the Vince Lombardi Trophy, attracts hundreds of millions of viewers annually. Many watch for the preeminent commercial breaks, the highly regarded halftime show, or the game itself, but part of the excitement and anticipation surrounding the biggest night in sports is a product of the promotions, events, and specials held before the game.
At the invitation to one of these specials is Southern University’s very own Human Jukebox. Known globally for their musicianship and showmanship, the Jukebox takes pride in representing Southern University on a global stage—in the past performing at various Super Bowls, the most recent presidential inauguration, the Rose Bowl parade, and countless TV, film, and music video appearances. The 25th annual Super Bowl Soulful Celebration, hosted by CBS, was no different for the marching band.
The Super Bowl Soulful Celebration is a one-hour special combining gospel and mainstream artists with the league’s most prestigious athletes. According to Superbowlsoulful.com, this special “is the ONLY inspirational music event sanctioned by the NFL for Super Bowl weekend. This uplifting concert brings NFL players & award-winning musical artists together on one stage for an evening of joy and praise at the Biggest Game on Earth!” Occurring at the Pearl Theater in the Palms Casino Resort, this year’s celebration was hosted by Cedric the Entertainer and Tichina Arnold and included artists such as Earth, Wind, & Fire, T-Pain, Robin Thick, and Mary Mary.
With a song titled “Bless Me Indeed,” the Human Jukebox’s percussion section had the pleasure of performing with Kirk Franklin during the special’s opening number. In true Southern fashion, the band members marched and danced throughout the aisles of the theater all the while playing their instruments flawlessly. The football players being honored during the celebration also entered the stage during this time. After the performance concluded, the audience stood to their feet in applause.
Opportunities such as this one are very important to the reputation of the band and our university as a whole with the Director of Bands, Kendric Taylor, stating, “We always want to represent our brand…and the legacy of Southern University. We want the world to know who we are.” The opportunity to perform during Usher’s highly-anticipated halftime show was presented to the Jukebox, however, due to prior engagements in the widely-celebrated Bacchus Mardi Gras parade, the band had to decline.
“These students have done a lot throughout this year. I don’t think they get the recognition they deserve. So, to have an opportunity to go to an event like this, it’s life-changing,” Taylor told WBRZ in an interview.
The 25th annual Super Bowl Soulful Celebration aired on Saturday, February 10, 2024, and is available to rewatch anytime by streaming on CBS.com
