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Regular Session, 2014
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 118
BY SENATOR DORSEY-COLOMB
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of Dr. Issac Greggs, former
director of the Southern University marching band.
A RESOLUTION1
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the2
death of Dr. Isaac "Doc" Greggs, long-time band director at Southern University in3
Baton Rouge.4
WHEREAS, the great trumpet sounded on April 28, 2014, calling home the often5
imitated but never duplicated Dr. Isaac "Doc" Greggs, band director at Southern University6
in Baton Rouge for thirty-seven years; and7
WHEREAS, Isaac Greggs was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on January 2, 1929,8
the youngest of three children to Sarah and Isaac Greggs; and 9
WHEREAS, he graduated from Central Colored High School in Shreveport and, at10
fifteen, enrolled in Southern University A & M College in Baton Rouge where he received11
a B.S. degree in Music Education; and12
WHEREAS, Issac Greggs also received an M.S. degree in Music Education from13
Vander Cook College in Chicago, Illinois and, in later years, received a Doctorate Degree14
in Music from the University of Peru; and15
WHEREAS, he served in the United States Army where he played in the army band16
dedicated to morning reveille; and17
WHEREAS, Doc Greggs created the Marching Band From Jaguarland at Southern18 SR NO. 118
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University and was chief composer of the unique flair and flavor exhibited by his musicians1
as they took on the moniker that best described them: The Human Jukebox; and2
WHEREAS, Southern University's marching bands played at six Super Bowls, four3
Sugar Bowls, and three presidential inaugurations with Doc Greggs as director; and4
WHEREAS, the influence of Doc Greggs extended beyond the band room and5
performance venues of the musicians who played for him; a significant number of his6
students have become band directors and musicians of note around the country, and the7
principles of dedication and commitment he instilled in his students shaped many of them8
into leaders in careers outside of music; and9
WHEREAS, he was a charter member of Delta Upsilon Lambda and was a sixty-10
eight year Life Member of Beta Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,11
Incorporated; and12
WHEREAS, the musical genius of Dr. Isaac "Doc" Greggs was formally recognized13
in 2013, when he was inducted into the Louisiana Black History Hall of Fame; and14
WHEREAS, the music building on the Baton Rouge campus of Southern University,15
formerly known as Dubose Music Hall, recently was renamed the Isaac Greggs Band Hall16
in his honor; and17
WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his parents Sarah and Isaac Greggs, brother18
Edmond, and sister Ellen Greggs; and19
WHEREAS, Doc Greggs is survived by his loving wife of fifty-eight years, Rose20
Audrey Metoyer Greggs; devoted children: Audree Greggs Vaughn (Percy), Colette Greggs,21
Dedrick Jon Greggs (Carla), and Mark Eric Greggs (Tricia); grandchildren: Kirsten Vaughn22
Watson (Benjamin), Kory Greggs Vaughn MD, Jamal Greggs Russell, Kyle Greggs Russell,23
Daniel Isaac Greggs and Casey Danielle Greggs; great-grandchildren: Grace Makayla24
Watson, Naomi Love Watson, Isaiah Benjamin Watson and Judah Seth Watson: and a host25
of other relatives, family and friends; and26
WHEREAS, over the years Doc Greggs received a plethora of awards and citations27
that inspired many young people to follow their dreams; and 28
WHEREAS, he communicated to his students the need to "be at the right time, at the29
right place, with the right equipment ready to concentrate", a mantra that applies beyond the30 SR NO. 118
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realm of music, and with his departure from this Earthly life to his Heavenly home, it is1
fitting to note that Dr. Isaac Greggs is now at the right place, making beautiful music for all2
eternity.3
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana4
does hereby express sincere condolences upon the passing of Dr. Isaac Greggs; does hereby5
extend deepest sympathies to family and friends as they mourn the absence of his presence;6
does hereby herald his legacy of music at Southern University and recognize his stylistic7
impact on bands around the country; and does hereby share in the prayers of the citizens of8
the state in comfort and fond remembrances of the sweet sounds that emanated from this9
musical icon.10
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to Dr.11
Issac Greggs' wife, Rose Greggs.12
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
Dorsey-Colomb SR No. 118
Expresses condolences upon the death of former Southern University band director Dr. Isaac
Greggs.