Digest Spotlight: Harry Anderson

Harry Anderson, a well-known brother of the Phi Mu Alpha music fraternity, is on the road to achieving 12 years as Director of the Jazz Band at Southern University. Along with being Director of the SU Jazz Band, Anderson is also Director of the Alvin Batiste Jazz Institute.
Originally from Pensacola, Florida, Anderson decided to attend Southern after viewing a video clip of the marching band, “The Human Jukebox” on television.
“Man, that’s where I want to go,” reminisced Anderson.
Despite his initial intention to attend Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Anderson couldn’t get the sight or sound of The Human Jukebox out of his mind, resulting in Anderson joining the band while completing his studies at SU. As a tuba major, Anderson spent long hours studying and practicing. Anderson graduated from Southern with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education, another in Music Performance, and a master’s degree in Secondary Education.
In the fall of 2003, Anderson earned his current title of Director of the Jazz Band, the “SU Jazzy Jazz”. The program was originated by Alvin Batiste, known to many as “Mr. Batt”. Anderson had the privilege of marching alongside Batiste during their days as members of the Human Jukebox. Batiste composed many songs for the marching band, some of which they still perform.
The SU Jazz Band has produced a plethora of talented musical professionals across the globe. There are numerous students of SU who were part of the Jazz Band that are now known internationally.
“You may not necessarily want to be a band director,” said Assistant Director of the Alvin Batiste Jazz Institute, Herman Jackson. “But you can still make a living in music, and coming through here helps that.” Jackson finished.
Though they have performed at numerous events this year, including the Southern Lab School Black History program, the Iberville Parish Library Black History program, and other private events, the Jazz Band is nowhere near done with their performances. Some upcoming event include a performance at the Donald Wade House for the Board of Regents and another at the Alcorn Jazz Festival in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The band will also travel to New Orleans to perform at the Jazz and Heritage Festival as they have been doing for the past 40 years.
“We are out there on the grind,” finished Anderson. “Sometimes it’s rough,”.