The HBCU marching band world will have its eyes on Southern University as the Human Jukebox enters the 2026 season with new staff members, fresh talent and a championship standard to maintain.
Southern University is the reigning Division I Red Lobster Band of the Year champion. The Human Jukebox defeated Florida A&M’s Marching “100” in Atlanta last December to claim the title for the first time. The university later received a Key to the City of Baton Rouge for its achievement.
Now Director of Bands Dr. Kedric Taylor must keep the machine moving after two members of his staff left to lead programs of their own.
William “Billy” Young departed Southern University to take over the marching band at Alabama A&M. Another former staff member, Dr. Cedric Todd, is now leading the band program at Arkansas Baptist College.
Both will see their former boss during the Legends at Legion Field Battle of the Bands in Birmingham on Aug. 30.
“It almost feels like how Nick Saban was,” Taylor told Perry during an appearance on The Jaguar Journal. “He had all these coaches going and now they got to face him.”
Taylor welcomes that challenge. He considers the departures evidence that the Human Jukebox is producing more than outstanding performances. The program is also developing the next generation of HBCU band directors.
“You know, it’s exciting, man, to be a director of bands and know your people in which you work with have grown to be able to go and have their own programs,” Taylor said.
Southern University reloads its marching band staff
Southern University returns Kenneth Collins, Lorenzo Hart and Myrikle Rosette. Dancing Dolls sponsors D’Tara Frank and Traci Greene also remain with the program.
Taylor said the Human Jukebox added veteran educator Derek Walker and arranger Geron Williams to its marching band staff. Walker brings 26 years of experience in education, while Williams provides another creative voice to the program.
According to Taylor, the newcomers did not receive much time to ease into their positions. Southern University already has an established system, allowing qualified staff members to enter and begin working immediately.
“We just have a plug-in system at the university,” Taylor said. “It’s a well-oiled machine. So when your tire goes flat, you just change it, right? You need a new battery, you just put your new battery in.”
However, Taylor made it clear that maintaining the Human Jukebox standard requires more than simply filling vacant positions. New staff members must understand the identity of the HBCU program and fit the culture surrounding it.
That culture also shapes how Southern University recruits and develops its students. Taylor said the program searches for musicians who are teachable, trainable and capable of handling its demanding learning curve.
Freshmen arrive early to learn the marching band’s system before joining the returning musicians. Taylor described the early results as promising, saying the incoming class features both strong students and dynamic players.
Human Jukebox prepares to defend its standard
Taylor is entering his 20th year as an educator and his 12th at Southern University. He believes the program’s influence can be seen in former students and staff members now teaching at other schools.
The 2026 season begins with Southern facing Alabama State in Birmingham on Aug. 29. One day later, the Human Jukebox will encounter Young, Todd and several other HBCU marching bands at Legion Field.
“I’m excited about the guys that have gone on to get their own programs and build and continue to build, you know, their own machines—which I’m sure, you know, they’ve adapted some of those parts. They’re probably shopping at the same store to try to get them same tires. But one thing about it: Great Value ain’t the same as Coca-Cola.”
Southern University will arrive as the reigning national champion, but also as a program undergoing transition. Taylor does not see those two realities as contradictory.
The Human Jukebox may have changed some of its parts, but its director believes the machine—and the culture driving it—remains firmly in place.