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.
Graham laid the groundwork at North Texas for what became the first college degree in jazz studies.
Notable Saturday Night Performers with the Aces[2] Notable "Aces" Alumni In 1971, the University of North Texas Student Government Association designated him as "Honor Professor,"[3] and upon retirement May 31, 1973,[4] the regents awarded him the lifetime status of professor emeritus.
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).
Floyd Graham first exhibited his interest in music by experimenting with a cigar-box violin while in grade school.