Floyd Freeman Graham (aka 'Fessor) (October 15, 1902 – August 18, 1974 in Denton, Texas) was a US collegiate bandleader and music educator who founded and directed the Aces of Collegeland in 1927, the university dance band, pit orchestra and stage band of the University of North Texas College of Music. He also was a violinist. The Aces of Collegeland was the forerunner to the One O'Clock Lab Band. Graham laid the groundwork at North Texas for what became the first college degree in jazz studies.
Many of the Ace's band members and Saturday night participants became a "who's who" in the performing arts – as members of famous big bands, film, and singers.
Notable Saturday Night Performers with the Aces
Ann Sheridan
Joan Blondell
Louise Tobin
Nancy Jane Gates
Linda Darnell
Pat Boone
Notable "Aces" Alumni
Harry Babasin
Bob Dorough
Herb Ellis
Jimmy Giuffre
Charles W. LaRue
William F. Lee III
William Ennis Thomson
JB Floyd
In 1971, the University of North Texas Student Government Association designated him as "Honor Professor," and upon retirement May 31, 1973, the regents awarded him the lifetime status of professor emeritus. He was the university's first professor emeritus.
Education
Graham earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Texas.
Graham earned a Teachers Certificate from Chicago Musical College in 1927 and a Bachelor of Music degree in violin from Chicago Musical College in August 1931. While attending Chicago Musical College, Graham studied violin with Max Ignatz Fischel (1878–1937) (Head of the Normal Department), ear training with Harold Burnham Maryott (born 1878), music history with Herbert Witherspoon (1873–1935); harmony and counterpoint with Hans Franklin Madsen (1887–1971), and composition, counterpoint, and solfeggio with Wesley LaViolette (1894–1978).
Graham also earned a Master of Music degree from the American Conservatory of Music.
At the American Conservatory of Music, Graham had been a pupil of:
Herbert Dalton Butler (1867–1946) – violin
Leo Sowerby (1895–1968) – composition & counterpoint
In Texas, Graham had been a pupil of: Carl Venth (1860–1938)
He also had been a pupil of:
Fritz Mahler
Ferde Grofé (1892–1972)
Family and growing up
Floyd Graham was the son of Schyler Colfax Graham (1869–1931), a Denton grocer, and Rockie Virginia Graham (1879–1954) Freeman. Floyd Graham first exhibited his interest in music by experimenting with a cigar-box violin while in grade school.
Floyd Graham married Doris Patricia Howard on September 2, 1942. They had a daughter, Patricia (Pati) (Graham) Haworth.
'Fessor Graham Award for Faculty
In 1958, the North Texas student body established the 'Fessor Graham Award, the highest honor bestowed by the students to a faculty member. The award recognizes one faculty member each year for outstanding and unselfish service beyond the call of duty to students.