Alvin Patterson Battle of the Bands
Live shot
Reviewed by Robert Gabriel, Fri., June 23, 2006
Alvin Patterson Battle of the Bands
Nelson Field, June 16
High-stepping drum majors led bands from far and wide onto Nelson Field for a Pre-Juneteenth celebration and exhibition of the SWAC style of play. From the moment that the Jackson (MS) All-Star Band sauntered onto the field, it became apparent that their funky break-down of drums and tubas would epitomize the underlying theme of the Friday night program. Bridging the gaps between the Seventies soul of the Isley Brothers and the 2006 electro-snap of Young Joc, Lafayette's Black Heritage Band flashed sudden cymbals like fireworks sparking from their synchronized midst. While the Austin All-Star Band impressed with several selections from Michael Jackson's Off the Wall, the Houston All-Star Band raised both eyebrows and spirits with an incorporation of choir singing into their brassy repertoire. Yet the evening clearly belonged to Beaumont's Ozen High School Band, who won both the band and drumline competitions with resounding clarity and creativity. If their impeccable rendition of Kool and the Gang's "Fresh" wasn't enough, the deal was sealed with a tribute to slain rapper Big Hawk that peaked with the Ozen Band conductor chanting lines from Trae's "Swang." With no shortage of theatrics on hand, the Austin drumline brought the house down with the performance of a virtual séance fueled by pulsing bass drums and life-giving snares. Expanding the scope of the typical high school marching band experience, the Alvin Patterson Battle participants exuded a passion for their art form that couldn't help but be appreciated by the packed house on hand.
