Get ready for Mardi Gras as Black college marching bands’ thunderous sounds are felt throughout the streets of New Orleans.
From Southern University’s veteran parade performers to newcomers such as LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis, Tennessee, these bands are already captivating people on TikTok and Instagram.
Earlier this week, Southern University’s Human Jukebox did their rendition of Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need,” continuing a long HBCU musical tradition of covering popular songs. Mardi Gras is just one of the many high-profile parades and events where these musicians get to show off their distinct sounds.
Falling this year on Feb. 17, Mardi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday,” is the massive celebration the day before Lent. As Christians prepare for 40 days of prayer and fasting, they and others from across the country descend on the streets of New Orleans to celebrate the city’s rich history of blending cultures and music.
Carnival parade organizations, known as “krewes,” often invite these marching bands to perform on the different parade routes.
Check out where several of these bands will be appearing. And if you’re not there, listen and watch out for the blaring horns and the energetic drumline on your social media feed.
Southern University’s Human Jukebox
The ensemble has been going to Mardi Gras for decades. The band’s parade appearances stretched from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, with its Mardi Gras celebrations starting at the Krewe of Osun on Feb. 6 and continuing until Feb 17.
Human Jukebox’s Mardi Gras schedule:
Feb. 14 — Krewe of Tucks
Feb. 15 — Krewe of Bacchus
Feb. 17 — Krewe of Zulu
Texas Southern University’s Ocean of Soul
This legendary Houston-based marching band’s roots date back to 1927 and includes performances with Beyoncé during her NFL halftime performance on Christmas Day 2024 to Battle of Bands.
Ocean of Soul’s Mardi Gras schedule:
Feb. 14 — Krewe of Endymion
Feb. 15 — Krewe of Thoth
Feb. 17 — Krewe of Rex
Alcorn State University’s Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite
Hailing from Mississippi, the marching band dates back 1885 — well, not the name. In 1973, a band director wanted a catchier name and came up with the “Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite.” The rest is history.
Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite’s schedule:
Feb. 14 — City of Magnolia (MS Mardi Gras Parade)
Feb. 14 — Krewe of Endymion
Feb. 16 — Krewe of Orpheus
LeMoyne-Owen College’s Majestic Sounds of the South
This year marks LeMoyne-Owen’s Mardi Gras debut. The institution was founded as an elementary school in 1862 before relocating to Memphis the following year. In 1924, it evolved into a junior college and became a four-year college in 1930.
Majestic Sounds of the South’s schedule:
Feb. 13 — Krewe of Morpheus
Feb. 14 — Krewe of Tucks
Feb. 15 — Krewe of Bacchus
Feb. 17 — Krewe of Rex