This February, as people celebrate Black History Month friends, family, and even strangers are remembering a St. Petersburg man who used his musical talents to inspire others.
The sights and sounds of a well-prepared orchestra mean little to many people, but to Chris Styles it was everything. It inspired him to lead, and it gave him the power to inspire others to do the same.
“He was a trailblazer, he paved the way for a lot of things,” Styles' friend Frank Williams said.
Styles' tough love encouraged lifelong teacher and musician Williams to reach his highest potential.
“Chris judged my very first solo and he has a distinction of being the only person that ever gave me anything other than a superior rating,” said Williams.
Styles was the first African American Chair of the Department of Music at St. Petersburg College.
Dr. Jonathan Steele, one of Styles’ former students, eventually took over for him as the conductor of the St. Petersburg College band.
“He went to the limit of his profession and then he applied that in multiple places throughout his career and what more could someone ask,” Dr. Steele said.
Whether it was his childhood, his education, or even his time in the Army, music carried Styles through.
Last weekend family and friends celebrated his life during his funeral service. They celebrated a man who once led the St. Petersburg College Band, and whether they know it or not, inspired its players to share in his passion.
Styles was also a member of the St. Petersburg NAACP, the Pinellas County Urban League, and he was an alumni of Florida A&M University.
He was also a part of their legendary Marching 100 Band.
Styles was 79 years old.