Bermuda — May 25, 2025
Dr. Taylor, Director of the internationally acclaimed band at Southern University, recently visited Bermuda for the very first time — and the experience left a lasting impression. Known for leading one of the most prestigious marching bands in the world, Dr. Taylor has directed performances at the Super Bowl, presidential inaugurations, and national parades. But this week, he found himself soaking in something altogether different: the vibrant rhythms and deep cultural pride of the Bermuda Day Parade.
“I’m here visiting on vacation,” Dr. Taylor shared with local hosts. “It’s amazing — fresh air, beautiful skies, beautiful water, beautiful people. It’s a great experience, and I definitely will be back.”
Though it was his first time on the island, Southern University’s marching band has a historical connection to Bermuda. “Actually, the band did come in the early ’90s,” Dr. Taylor recalled. “They came under the direction of Dr. Isaac Riggs and stayed on the army base here. They brought maybe 90 students.”
During his visit, Dr. Taylor had the opportunity to witness Bermuda’s annual Bermuda Day Parade, a celebration of local heritage, art, and community spirit. He was especially taken by the island’s beloved Gombeys — a traditional fusion of African, Caribbean, and British cultures expressed through dance, costume, and drum.
“They remind me of the Zulu Tramps in New Orleans,” he noted. “The drums, the dancing, the masquerade — it’s all rooted in Africa. We’re linked somewhere, some way, somehow.”
Inspired by the shared cultural DNA and the electric spirit of the parade, Dr. Taylor expressed strong interest in exploring a future visit by the university’s band.
“Our students would love that — to be part of this amazing experience. They would definitely love the water too,” he laughed. “We’ve got water in the States, but it don’t look like this.”
As talks of a future performance in Bermuda arise, many locals are hopeful that the connection made during this visit will blossom into a full-blown cultural exchange.
“There’s nothing too hard for God. It can happen,” said one community member.
With heartfelt welcomes and mutual admiration exchanged, Dr. Taylor’s visit may mark the beginning of something bigger — a future where the rhythm of Southern University’s band meets the soul of Bermuda’s Gombeys on the streets of Hamilton.
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