Aristocrat of Bands

The Aristocrat of Bands performing at the 2016 Southern Heritage Classic

The band emerged from the Jazz Collegians of Tennessee State University, and was requested by Tennessee State University's president Walter Davis as support for athletics. In 1946, J.D. Chavis started the organization with 100 pieces after some weeks of practices. Originally titled as "the Marching 100", the name "Aristocrat of Bands" was given by a sportscaster at a National Football League (NFL) game.

In 1955, the band was the first historically black college or university (HBCU) band to appear on national television[1] 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.[2] 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.

The band marches in the traditional high-stepping style incorporating Classical, Jazz, Contemporary, and Popular repertoire in its performances. The band is led by four drum majors known as the "Fantastic Four" and is accompanied by The Sophisticated Ladies dance team.