Mr. James Crumb, Jr. - Director of Bands

James Arthur Crumb Jr. is a product of the Birmingham City Public School System. Mr. Crumb attended Alabama A&M University with a full band scholarship. He continued his pursuit of music education at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, where he earned a BS Degree in Music Education.

Mr. Crumb's career in music education started at Carver High School, where he held the position of Director of Bands from 2000-2005. His bands earned superior ratings in Marching Band contests, District, State and Jazz band contests every year of his tenure. The Carver High School Marching Rams won the National High Stepping Marching Championship in 2003. Carver’s

Symphonic band was honored with the privilege of performing at the 2004 Alabama Music Educators Association Conference. Carver’s Jazz Band received Band of Distinction (highest score) at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame Festival 2002, 2003, and 2004.

Mr. Crumb is currently employed at Minor High School as Director of Bands, where his bands superior performance ratings continue. Recently Minor’s Marching Band won its third consecutive National High Stepping Marching Championship (2013, 2014,2015). The Minor High School Jazz Band has received Band of Distinction (highest score) at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame Festival 2010 thru 2015. They also won first place at the Music in the Parks festival at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, VA in 2013. In addition, The Minor High School Jazz Band was honored with the privilege of performing at the National Association for the Study and Performance of African-American Music Conference on March 14, 2013.

James Crumb has served as a Clinician and Honor Band conductor throughout the Southeast Region. He has also been honored as the Minor High School Second Mile Teacher for 2014-15 school year and Teacher of the year for 2015-16 school year. In addition, he was selected as one of the finalist to be chosen as Teacher of the Year for the state of Alabama. He is also an accomplished jazz musician as the featured artist in the N'Fusion Jazz Quartet and has performed throughout the South and East Coast. He is married to Desiré Taylor and has two beautiful daughters, Jazmin Alexis and Nadia Corinne.

Mr. Earnest Echols - Assistant Director of Bands

Mr. Echols is beginning his 8th year of teaching music. After graduating from Gardendale High School, he attended the University of Alabama (in Tuscaloosa) and has earned both his BSE and MM from the University. He has been teaching throughout Alabama and Florida since his start in 2002 at Daniel Payne Middle School as Director of Bands. From that moment until now, Mr. Echols has taken advantage of many opportunities that his education in music has afforded him. He has traveled and/or taught in several countries around the world including Kenya, Zambia, Italy, Spain, Canada, England, and a host of other places.

Mr. Echols is an active performer on piano and trumpet. He is currently completing productions on several smooth jazz recordings as well as developing and building projects with Mr. Crumb.

Mr. Echols is a former member of Florida Bandmasters Association, Florida Vocal Association, and the Florida Orchestral Association, and a current member of NAfME, ABA, and AEA.

Mr. Jeff Calvert - Assistant Director of Bands

Mrs. Jennifer Walsh - Assistant Director of Bands

Ms. Cotrena Moseley - Color Guard Sponsor

Ms. Kirby Smith - Tigerette Sponsor

 Ms. Paulette Evans - Tigerette Sponsor

Ms. Courtney Ruffin - Dance Choreographer

Mr. Mike Mays - Drum Major Coach

Mr. Jaleon Jemison - Percussion Instructor