Grambling State University

History of Tiger Marching Band

Band Started in 1926

The plot began in 1926 when President R.W.E. Jones struck up an instrument deal with Sears and Roebuck. As the years passed, the script became juicer. So, here is our story: How a once small, country band became not only the best band in the land but also a household word…

Grambling State University Without A Band?

Yes, that was the situation in 1926 when then President Charles P. Adams asked new faculty member Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones to form a group of marching musicians. Jones, who later served as the institution’s President for over 50 years, began the tough task by obtaining 17 instruments from Sears and Roebuck and the Tigers were ready to take their first giant step.

At that time, there was no Music Department at Grambling, so sharps, flats, lines, spaces, notes and rest were mysteries to members of that initial group. But the inexperienced Tigers persisted, and soon they were performing their first “melody strained” concert. Later, the action switched from chairs to grassy fields as the tiny group began marching at football games. Since several band members were usually on the grid squad, interesting situations frequently developed. It was a common sight to see Ralph Jones substituting for a band member who had suffered a football injury.

Tiger tunes became more sophisticated during the 1930s, and Grambling musicians began to perform at concerts and dances in neighboring towns. By 1936, Jones, affectionately known as Prez, became the President, but he still directed the band and coached baseball. For the musical group to continue its development, Prez decided a full-time director was needed. So “Sarge” A.D. King, former college band leader and big band director, was hired. Tiger musicians were under his direction until 1949 when Langston band leader J.S. “Pop” Lee took over. Faltering health caused the Oklahoma product to step down and trumpet instructor Sheldon Booth filled-in as interim director until Conrad Hutchinson Jr. was hired in 1952.

Hutch Jr., a Tuskegee institute graduate, had directed high school for over 12 years in Mobile, Ala., Covington, Ky., and Cincinnati. The professional musician and jazz band performer frequently performed at theatrical events and stage shows and on television and radio programs. During World War II the multi-talented musician was in charge of the U.S. Army bands in the China-Burma-India Theater. His years of experience would be put to excellent use at Grambling.

"Best Band In The Land"

When Conrad Hutchinson Jr. arrived here in 1952, he had a plan – to make the Grambling College Marching Band the best in the land. It didn’t happen overnight and it certainly wasn’t easy, but “Hutch” and his staff began molding embryo noise-makers into superb musicians and magnificent marchers. And today, his prized unit is frequently labeled, “The Best in the Land”

SAMPLES OF PAST APPEARANCES

Recent Appearances

Zulu Mardi Gras Parade March, 2022 New Orleans, LA

HBCU Legacy Bowl February 2022 New Orleans, LA

NFL Superbowl 30/30 Video Shoot February, 2022 GSU Camp

Krewe of Louisiana Mardi Gras Ball January, 2022 Washington, DC

NFL Las Vegas Raiders Halftime October, 2021 Las Vegas, NV

Adidas Recording October, 2021 GSU Campus

Black College Hall of Fame Game September, 2021 Canton, OH

Other Appearances

Super Bowls, NBA All Star Games, Multiple College Football Bowl Games, Fox Sports Network, NCAA Basketball Playoffs, Tournament of Roses Parade.

Commercials on Cartoon Network, Coca-Cola, ESPN, Louisiana Tourism, Pitt Bull Energy Drink, Proctor & Gamble

BET Soul Train, Denzel Washington’s “The Great Debaters”, EA Sports Battle Of Bands, ESPN Docu-Series “The Battle”, MTV Black History Documentary, SINBAD Comedy Show, Wheel of Fortune

Presidential Inaugurations (United States & Monrovia, Liberia)