The SouthernUniversity Marching Band has been under the direction of Dr. Isaac Greggs since1969 and on Feb. 23, he was honored for his role as an ambassador of goodwillfor the state of Louisiana.
As part ofBlack History Month, the Old State Capitol Foundation, along with Bank One andLouisiana Secretary of State W. Fox McKeithen held “Doc–Take the Field! A Tribute to Dr. Isaac Greggs, Directorof the Southern University ‘Human Jukebox.'”
Friends, family and colleagues came tothe 1882 House Chamber in the Old State Capitol to tell their personaltestimonies and honor Greggs. Theprogram was the climax of a month-long tribute to the SU Human Jukebox.
McKeithen wasnot able to attend the tribute because he is currently paralyzed from the neckdown after falling in his home two weeks ago. After Mary Louise Prudhomme, director of the Old State Capitol,welcomed attendees, Baton Rouge Mayor-President Melvin “Kip” Holden led aprayer for McKeithen before he remarked on Greggs.
“There are alot of people whose names have been recognized based on their musicalachievement,” Holden said. “His ranks as one of the top contributors in thatprofession. Not only do we honor him, but we look at his contributions. Hiscontributions spread across the world.”
A native ofShreveport, Greggs has over 50 years of teaching experience and a plethora ofawards and accolades for his role as band director at Southern.
“As far asbeing a teacher, black history is very important to me,” Greggs said. “It is upto me to teach them who they are. We are all God’s children. We were here firston earth. I’ve read plenty of times that Jesus had blue eyes, just like thatman you see on the pictures. But it is written in the Bible that his hair waslike lamb’s wool. It’s on me to teach them that. That’s black history.”
Recognized forits “often imitated, but never duplicated” style, the nationally renowned”Human Jukebox” has made five Super Bowl appearances – more than any othercollege marching band.
They haveattended three U.S. presidential inaugurations and other venues such as RadioCity Music Hall, the Rose Bowl Parade and the Macy’s sponsored parades.
In 1997, theband was named USA Today’s “#1 Band,” and Street and Smith’s Black CollegeFootball top college band in 1999.
After “TheHuman Jukebox,” a 15-minute segment that appeared on ABCs Nightline in November2004, was presented, Ed Buggs, the program’s emcee introduced a panel ofspeakers who personally honored Greggs.
“Southern isso pleased to have Doc Greggs not only as a band director,” said EdwardJackson, chancellor of Southern at Baton Rouge. “But as a teacher as well. Heis an educator.”
