HBCU marching bands, known for their legendary entertainment, will become part of a video exhibit in the soon-to-open Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture thanks in part to years of documentary work produced by Jackson State University’s Gerard Howard, a modern-day Renaissance man.
The new facility in Washington, D.C., is slated to open Sept. 24 and will “be a place where all Americans can learn about the richness and diversity of the African American experience, what it means to their lives and how it helps us shape this nation … and lens into a story that unites us all,” according to the museum’s Website (www.nmaahc.si.edu).
At JSU, Howard is a professional webmaster for the Division of Information Technology. In his spare time he’s also a musician, radio host, videographer and photographer.
Among his passions is showcasing the legacy of HBCU marching bands. As a matter of fact, he started the Internet’s first site devoted to Black College Bands (blackcollegebands.com) and spends his weekends every fall traveling from city to city showing the various performance styles of HBCU bands.
“Before I began covering bands, most media outlets on the field were only covering sports. My focus was strictly the bands,” Howard said. “As a kid I used to watch HBCU Football on BET every Saturday night just to see the bands. Where BET ended is where I began.”
While growing up in New Orleans, Howard was familiar with Louisiana bands such as Southern University and Grambling University. However, he had only heard of rumors about similar bands at other black colleges and universities. “So, my job was to show others what they looked like and sounded like,” said Howard, who began photographing hundreds of games. Ultimately, the project led to a film documentary.
Since that time, he has captured gritty images that showcase the intensity and aggression of what he’s dubbed “The Marchingsport.” Along the way, he has interviewed legendary band greats such as William P. Foster of Florida A&M University; Isaac Greggs of Southern University; and JSU’s Lewis Liddell.
Aside from the Smithsonian museum when it opens this month, Howard’s work has appeared nationally in Vibe magazine and other notable print and online publications. Even celebrities have spread his videos of HBCU bands via numerous social media networking sites.
Although he stays busy documenting HBCUs, Howard is also an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and hosts a weekday show on Jackson State’s WJSU-FM radio called “Jazz Reflections,” which is syndicated on SiriusXM (Channel 142). He’s also a musician with The Southern Komfort Brass Band, an ensemble that specializes in New Orleans-style music.
For more information and/or videos, visit www.bandhead.org; www.hbcubands.com; and twitter @hbcubands.