What do you get when you mix a physicist, an entomologist and a finance professor and his wife? In the case of physics professor Torsten Clay, entomology professor Richard Brown and finance professor Wayne and wife Becky Kelly, you get sweet, sweet music.
The trio of MSU professors - and spouse - now known as "Jubilee" formed in 2004 after a chance meeting at a social function and has brought their unique blend of Celtic and early Appalachian folk music to numerous audiences around Starkville, MSU and Mississippi.
"We met several years ago when people in town were hosting some parties where people bring their instruments and play," said band fiddler Clay. "After the first few impromptu "jam" sessions, we decided to make it more organized and pursue it as a joint hobby."
As they practice across from the Colvard Student Union, a crowd often will gather to enjoy the toe-tapping beat and playful lilt escaping from Clay's fiddle, Brown's bass, Wayne Kelly's guitar, and Becky Kelly's dulcimer.
"People love it because of the beat. It is a really fun music made for dancing and the rhythm grabs your attention."