Beyond the Fez: Noble Jeremy “Groove” Blackwell

Contributed by Noble Jeremy Blackwell Ancient City Temple No. 63 Daytona Beach, Fla.

Noble Jeremy “Groove” Blackwell is Assistant Rabban of Ancient City Temple No. 63 in Daytona Beach. He also leads the “Superior Rated” Atlantic High School Band in Port Orange. Noble Blackwell has served as the Director of Bands and Instrumental Music for Atlantic High for seven years. Through consistency and dedication, the band program has grown from six members at the start, to over 70 members.

The Shark band has not only grown in size, but also in musicianship. The band program consists of marching, symphonic, and jazz bands, and a percussion ensemble. The Shark bands are well-known in the community and in competitions. The drumline is back-to-back champion of the Tampa Drumline Competition.

Not only is the drumline a community favorite, but the marching and concert bands have gained recognition for their musical abilities as well. The marching band was one of 10 selected from across the United States and the Islands to participate in the 2019 Bethune-Cookman University Homecoming Showcase in Daytona Beach and the Florida Classic Battle of the Bands in Orlando.

The band program is a host of the Lakeside Jazz Festival. The Lakeside Jazz Festival is 501c3 that raises money for summer music camp scholarships for students who attend Atlantic and Spruce Creek high schools.

Noble Blackwell studied music education at “The Great” Bethune-Cookman University. He played trombone in the world-renowned Bethune Cookman University Marching Wildcats Band and served as a section leader and student director.