‘Crankin’ with the Hornets

Tuesday, April 8, the Southern University “Human Jukebox” marching band will perform a seven-minute half-time show for a sold out NBA crowd during the New Orleans Hornets game versus the Utah Jazz in the New Orleans Arena, according to Lawrence Jackson, head band director.
Jackson said events such as this have given students of the university the opportunity to travel and perform on many different occasions for many different groups of people. The Human Jukebox has performed for the NFL, MLB and the NBA, among other venues through various recommendations.
“The New Orleans Hornets entertainment director said that he had the opportunity to see the band at a Saints game,” explained Jackson. “He described the performance as breathtaking and asked the Human Jukebox to perform for the Hornets,” when their schedules would permit.
“It’s an honor to play for your home state basketball team that is doing well. They are first in the NBA Western Conference,” Jackson exclaimed.
“We were excited that they would call us up,” an opportunity Jackson gratefully spoke of.
“I think [the upcoming New Orleans performance] is good public relations for the school. We need to put out the positive for the school.”
When speaking of the April 8 performance, senior Natalie Wetherspoon, 22, band member and criminal justice major from Arlington, Texas believes “it is a great honor and achievement for the marching band to have received such an accolade.”
Currently, the Hornets, led by MVP candidate Chris Paul, sit atop of the West standings with a 52-22 record.
The Hornets’ performance “is new and exciting because it is Louisiana supporting Louisiana. Being in New Orleans makes the process of rebuilding New Orleans even sweeter,” said Jackson.
Featured along with the Human Jukebox will be the Southern Dancing Dolls and Ronnie Bell, aka Ray Charles.
Freshman Cameron Robinson, 19, political science major from Jackson believes “the band already has its own thing, but the attention the band is getting will liven it up a bit.”
“If the Jaguar Nation fans could get a ticket or find a ticket, they should come support the Human Jukebox,” said Jackson.
For those fans unable to secure tickets, the Hornets game will be broadcasted live of Cox Sports Television on cable channel 37 at 7 p.m.
For more information on the Human Jukebox marching band, please contact the band department at 225.771.3528.