The Sonic Boom of the South

A performance of the Sonic Boom of the South, Jackson State University’s (JSU) renowned marching band, is as much about listening to the music as seeing the band perform. They’ll start out with a whistle from the drum major, followed by the cracks of the snare drums, the clash of the cymbals, and the full chorus of percussion before the full band joins in on their theme, “Get Ready.” Not only is every note and beat carefully in sync, but the movements of every band member, from their footsteps to their head nods, are coordinated as they march. The energy is electrifying, with the “Jackson 5” (aka, J5) drum majors and Prancing J-Settes dancing at full force, and 230 musicians entrancing audiences with their arrangements and precision.

There is no way to separate history and tradition from the sound and vision of the Sonic Boom of the South. Musician and composer W.C. Handy played a central role in creating the proud tradition of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) marching bands; he became Alabama A&M’s music director in 1900 and shifted the band curriculum away from European classical compositions by creating a distinctive mix of military band elements, Black popular music, syncopated rhythms, and call-and-response patterns. Dr. William P. Foster of Florida A&M University was another pioneering figure; in the 1940s, he incorporated more popular music as well as high-energy choreography and dance routines.

JSU’s marching band was formed in the 1940s, made up of students from the college and the nearby Lanier High School. The program flourished under William W. Davis, who continued Handy’s idea by broadening the repertoire for JSU’s band. Davis combined his experience playing trumpet in United States Army bands and in jazz musician Cab Calloway’s big band to create a new marching band sound. As director of JSU’s marching band from 1948 to 1971, and as chief arranger for another 10 years after that until his death in 1981, Davis established the band’s style and influenced a generation of HBCU band directors. In 1971, students named the group the Sonic Boom of the South and continued to infuse the repertoire with Motown, R&B, funk, and hip hop hits, while still playing marching band classics.

The Sonic Boom continues to be regarded as one of the most celebrated HBCU marching bands. In addition to JSU football games, the group has performed for Super Bowl halftime shows, the NAACP Image Awards, and in the 2025 Rose Bowl Parade, where they made history as the first HBCU marching band to participate in the iconic New Year’s Day celebration. Today, the Sonic Boom is led by JSU alumnus and Jackson native Dr. Roderick Little, assistant professor of music and director of bands at JSU. As an undergraduate, he played snare drum, marched as part of the J5 drum majors, and served as a student arranger for the band. Because of these experiences, he says, “[I can] understand the program from several different lenses to where I can also be more of a benefactor to my students.”

The Sonic Boom of the South will lead the kick-off parade at the 82nd National Folk Festival, launching the festival’s three-year residency in downtown Jackson with their spectacular blend of tightly choreographed music, motion, and showmanship.