Marching Orders

They say white men can’t jump, and soon they might also amend that statement to say white men can’t play Tower of Power hits in drum lines at football halftime shows either. That talent should be reserved for the extraordinary musicians redefining marching bands across America’s HBCUs — historically black...

By John Thomason

November 8, 2012

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They say white men can’t jump, and soon they might also amend that statement to say white men can’t play Tower of Power hits in drum lines at football halftime shows either. That talent should be reserved for the extraordinary musicians redefining marching bands across America’s HBCUs — historically black colleges and universities. Off the gridiron and under the proscenium lights for the fourth year since 2008, the national tour of Drumline Live! presents musicians from Florida A&M, Southern University, the University of Georgia, and other renowned black institutions of higher learning for a brass- and percussion-heavy set of songs that span the sonic spectrum. Classic Motown numbers and songs from the great brass tradition will mingle with contemporary R&B and hip-hop tunes, along with athletic step choreography. It’s undoubtedly one of the few shows in which Duke Ellington and Michael Jackson appear in the same set list, and if you believe the reviews from past seasons, it’s a cultural touchstone not to be missed.
Sun., Nov. 11, 3 & 7:30 p.m., 2012

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