Four Huston-Tillotson University Students Selected for Inaugural Kappa Kappa Psi Intercollegiate Jazz Band
Thursday Aug, 14 2025
Austin, TX (August 14, 2025) — Huston-Tillotson University proudly celebrates the selection of four music students to the first-ever Kappa Kappa Psi Intercollegiate Jazz Band, held July 16, 2025, during the national Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma convention in Lexington, Kentucky. Performing under the direction of renowned saxophonist and educator Jarrard Harris, this ensemble brought together some of the most promising collegiate jazz musicians from across the country.
HT’s KKPsi IJB representatives included:
Joshua Lister – Piano (Bryan, TX)
Jahleel Reynolds – Drums (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Makale Edwards – Saxophone (Temple, TX)
Joshua Garcia – Trombone (Tampa, FL)
“This experience was everything I hoped it would be,” said Joshua Lister. “You hear about national ensembles and you wonder what it would feel like to be there. To actually do it—and to bring my piano playing to a group of musicians from around the country was powerful.”
Jahleel Reynolds echoed that sentiment: “The groove, the swing, the energy in that room—it was real jazz, and it felt like home. It made me proud to know our preparation at HT is on par with anyone out there.”
For Joshua Garcia, the event held personal meaning beyond the performance. “I got a chance to reconnect and perform alongside friends from high school that attend other universities,” he said. “That familiarity reminded me where I started—and how far we’ve come at HT.”
The Intercollegiate Jazz Band, launched by Kappa Kappa Psi in 2025, aims to provide students with a professional-level ensemble experience centered in America’s most celebrated art form: jazz. It is a performance space where improvisation, collaboration, and cultural connection take center stage.
Dr. Jeremy George, Director of Jazz Studies at HT, praised the students’ accomplishments while connecting their readiness to the university’s curriculum. “Our program emphasizes fluency in the language of jazz—technically, historically, and emotionally,” said George. “We’re rooted in the traditions of Black music-making, but our students also understand how to move that tradition forward. That’s what makes them competitive on the national stage. I hope this inspires more of our students to audition the next time these types of opportunities come around.”
Dr. William Oliver, Director of University Bands and Coordinator of the Music Education Program, emphasized the department’s approach to access: “These are very much so individual achievements, but we treat them as community victories. We make sure no student is held back by financial barriers—if they’re accepted, we rally behind them. Whether it’s registration, travel, or lodging, our department foots the bill so students can focus on one thing: showing up and performing.”
The success of these four students highlights not only their individual dedication, but also the steady rise of HT’s music program—one that continues to merge cultural integrity, professional preparation, and community support.
For more information about the Kappa Kappa Psi Intercollegiate Jazz Band, visit: KKPsi.org
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About Huston-Tillotson University
Huston-Tillotson University, the first institution of higher education in Austin, Texas, has roots dating back to 1875. Huston-Tillotson University is an independent, church-related, historically Black, four-year liberal arts institution located on a 23-acre tree-lined campus near downtown in East Austin. Huston-Tillotson University’s mission is to nurture a legacy of leadership and excellence in education, connecting knowledge, power, passion, and values. The University offers associate and master’s degrees in addition to Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in more than 19 areas of study. Huston-Tillotson University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
