Memphis and Jackson, Mississippi Bandsmen Battle It Out at Oakhaven

Summer is not the usual time of year for marching band activity, so I was a little surprised to read on Twitter that there was going to be a “Memphis vs. Jackson” band battle at Oakhaven stadium in Memphis out by the airport. I suspected that the bands had to be summer outfits, comprised of young men at home from college bands. The weather was hot and the event began an hour later than advertised, but a good crowd of Memphians and Mississippians turned out to see the battle between the Memphis Mass Band and the Mississippi All-Star Alumni Band. All-star bands can be a little rough musically sometimes, but both of these bands sounded well-rehearsed and polished.