The Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands

The Tennessee State Aristocrat of Bands was the first historically black college or university (HBCU) band to appear on national television with their performance at the Chicago Bears versus Los Angeles Rams NFL game. In 1961, they performed for the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy making them the first historically black college or university to perform at a presidential inauguration. The band has been invited and performed in Asia, Africa, North America and Europe. The band was featured in the inaugural Honda Battle of the Bands, held in Atlanta. The band was also named in 2002 the official band of the Tennessee Titans, making them the first HBCU to be named as an official band for an NFL team. They played in the 2022 Rose Parade. On November 15, 2022 the Aristocrat of Bands became the first marching band in history to be nominated for a Grammy. This compilation highlights this great HBCU band.

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