History on Jackson State Band

   For nearly 70 years, the Jackson State University Marching Band, “The Sonic Boom of the South” has mystified and thrilled audiences throughout the nation. The band happend to be the first organized band in the early 1940's under the direction of part-time band director Kermit Holly, Sr. In its infancy, the band consisted of college students and students from Lanier High School where Holly was employed as full-time band director. Charles Saulsburg was appointed band director in 1947. In the year 1948, William W. Davis of Ironton, Ohio, former arranger for Cab Calloway’s legendary big band became the first full-time band director. Davis’s concept of the marching band was greatly influenced by Cab Calloway’s big band sound and showmanship. Cab Calloway’s influence is still present today in the sound and show design of the Jackson State University Marching Band.

    If you go to Jackson State University and are thinking about joining the band but dont want to play an instrument. dont worry because they have an auxiliary (which are dancers and flag girls). The dancers are called "Prancing J Settes" and its actually the offical name of the Jackson State University dance line, an auxiliary group of the Jackson State University Marching Band, "The Sonic Boom of the South". The "Prancing J Settes" supervised by Mrs. Kathy Pinkston-Worthy, J-Settes Sponsor. The Jackson State University Marching Band, “The Sonic Boom of the South” is an ensemble of the Department of Music, Dr. Jimmie James, Jr., Chair. Shirley Middleton, a former majorette, initiated the concept of the majorettes abandoning their batons and dancing to popular musical selections. As the majorette sponsor, Shirley Middleton and the majorettes met with Dr. John A. Peoples, the University’s sixth president, and requested that they be permitted to “put down their batons.”

Prancing J Settes from Jackson State University. They work hard and play hard. Love the band(: