The Ruth Naomi Floyd Quartet: Music for our Souls

On the occasion of America’s 250th birthday, Ruth Naomi Floyd celebrates African American History Month with an afternoon of distinctive jazz music that blends themes of faith, hope, lament, endurance, defiant joy, and love.
Award-winning vocalist and composer Ruth Naomi Floyd has been at the forefront of creating a discography of vocal jazz settings that express theology, history, and justice. Join us for an afternoon of distinctive jazz music that blends themes of faith, hope, lament, endurance, defiant joy, and love.

This is a family-friendly event!

"Jazz speaks for life. The Blues tell the story of life's difficulties, and if you think for a moment, you will realize that they take the hardest realities of life and put them into music, only to come out with some new hope or sense of triumph. This is triumphant music." ~ Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Ruth Naomi Floyd, vocals & flute

Aaron Graves, piano

Abraham Burton, tenor saxophone

Lee Smith, double bass

Byron Landham, drums

About Ruth Naomi Floyd:

Ruth Naomi Floyd is a vocalist, composer, and educator recognized for pioneering vocal jazz that expresses theology, history, and justice, and for leading a multifaceted ensemble that primarily performs original works. Her collaborations with notable instrumentalists stand as a testament to her versatility and the high regard in which she is held by her peers. Ruth’s discography has garnered international recognition, and her commissioned works have earned numerous awards, fellowships, and honors. She lectures and performs globally on topics connecting theology, history, justice, culture, and the arts. A committed music educator with over twenty-five years of experience, Ruth is the first African American woman to serve as the founding director of a university jazz studies program in the U.S. She serves as an artist-in-residence at Temple University and has held residencies and visiting scholar positions nationally and internationally. Concordia College awarded her an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of her contributions to the arts, education, and justice. Ruth has dedicated over thirty years to serving and supporting marginalized communities, and her career reflects a deep commitment to artistic excellence, justice, and community empowerment.