Gaithersburg Community Church

Confessing the Faith Conference

The Church: Past and Future

September 16-18

Conference Schedule | Registration | General Information | Speaker

Ruth Naomi Floyd
Vocalist / Composer / Recording Artist
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Many vocalists flirt with the cultural nuances of African American gospel music, but very few have endeavored to build a discography explicitly dedicated to a jazz expression of Christian faith. Vocalist-composer Ruth Naomi Floyd is a rare exception. Her accrued discography primarily expresses her Christian faith and for over a decade, her music has been lauded by critics for its distinctive sound of progressive ensemble jazz with explicit Biblical messages of unwavering faith in God.

Critics hail Ruth Naomi Floyd's mezzo-soprano voice, calling her a “true original”. She is widely acknowledged by observers from around the world as the artist at the forefront of advancing the concept of “gospel-jazz”.

Ms.Floyd leads her own multi-faceted ensemble and her recordings consist primarily of original compositions.

Ruth Naomi Floyd was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She grew up with Christian faith and its immense body of music as a constant influence and vital part of her life.

She began to develop and share her musical talents as a young child by singing in church choirs and studying piano, flute and bassoon. For over 20 years, Ms.Floyd sang in a vocal trio with her two sisters.

Upon co-founding her record label in 1993, Ms. Floyd released her debut recording, Paradigms For Desolate Times (Contour 0923) in 1994 as a 12 song-cycle relating to themes of faith in salvation and rising above the difficulties of everyday life. Upon presenting these songs in a London performance, The Times of London offered this important observation:

“ Ruth Naomi Floyd is a woman with a mission ... she writes and performs songs whose lyrics either quote scripture or roughly paraphrase it. Unusually, however, instead of operating in the musical area generally associated with gospel singers such as Mahalia Jackson, Floyd is an out-and-out jazz singer ... Floyd's voice highlights not only her superb dynamic control, flexibility and faultless diction, but also her most important asset: an unmistakable emotional integrity that conveys her music's power...”

In 1997, Ms.Floyd released her 2 nd compact disc recording, With New Eyes (Contour 0925 ) which was inspired by her reading of the Scripture of Romans 12:2. With New Eyes was recognized as one of the best jazz vocal recordings of 1997 by the jazz writer for the national African American news magazine Emerge.

A lifelong student of music, Ruth Naomi Floyd continues to pursue private studies in theory and composition under the tutelage of world-renowned composer-flautist James Newton and pianist and arranger James Weidman.

New York based since 1978, Mr. Weidman has earned a reputation as an exceptional vocal accompanist. He has performed and recorded with some of the world's most celebrated jazz vocalists, such as Abbey Lincoln, Cassandra Wilson and Kevin Mahogany.

Ruth Naomi Floyd's studies with Mr. Weidman resulted in the creative collaboration of Mr. Weidman serving as the producer of Ms.Floyd's 3 rd compact disc release, Walk And Not Be Faint (Contour 0927). Released in 1999, Walk And Not Be Faint presented original material based upon Scripture from the books of John, Jeremiah, 1 Kings and the Psalms. A Los Angeles Times review offered the following observation of Ms.Floyd's ‘Biblical associations':

“ This may sound like an arena far removed from the more familiar jazz environs, but the quality of the music and, especially, Floyd's solid vocal skills make the album consistently rewarding... Floyd's vocals steer well clear of the overdone gospel-based techniques dominating so much of pop singing. At heart, she is clearly a jazz artist using her creative vehicle of choice to express her profound beliefs...”

Continuing under the production direction of James Weidman, Ms.Floyd released her 4 th compact disc, Fan Into Flame (Contour 0928) in 2002 as a concept album based upon the New Testament Scripture of 2 Timothy 1:6-8. Cadence Jazz Magazine described the recording as “another powerful jazz recital from Ruth Naomi Floyd.” In a review in Jazziz magazine, writer Bill Milkowski characterized Fan Into Flame as “a musically superb, soul-nourishing offering”. He described Ruth Naomi Floyd as an “immensely gifted singer with an incredible range and openness to pushing the envelope artistically.”

Ruth Naomi Floyd's association with Contour Records affords her complete artistic freedom to record her own works and collaborate with a diverse range of musicians. She has recorded and/or performed with such notable instrumentalists as James Newton, Gary Thomas, James Weidman, Jay Hoggard, Bryan Carrott, Terri Lyne Carrington, Ralph Peterson, Jr., Uri Caine, Charles Fambrough, Julian Joseph, Craig Handy, Reggie Washington, Matthew Parrish, Mark Prince, Ed Howard, Tyrone Brown, T.K. Blue and Bobby Zankel.

In the Summer of 2003, Ruth Naomi Floyd recorded the music for her 5th CD release. This recording will include several original compositions by Ms.Floyd and selected sacred works that are rooted in the music of the African American Christian experience. Not yet scheduled for release, Ms.Floyd's 5 th recording will feature performances of world renowned flautist and composer James Newton, tenor saxophonist Gary Thomas and drummer Ralph Peterson, Jr.

With five recordings behind her and a growing body of music in front of her, Ruth Naomi Floyd and her ensemble are poised to introduce “the music of Ruth Naomi Floyd” to audiences around the world.

In addition to her music activities, Ruth Naomi Floyd is also an award-winning photographer who specializes in black and white photography. She often exhibits her works in solo shows, group exhibits and her work is included in numerous private collections. She also photographs the cover images for her compact disc releases.

Ruth Naomi Floyd continues to make the City of Philadelphia her home, where for over ten years; she has been civically devoted and active in providing compassionate care and spiritual support to people affected by HIV and AIDS.

* Bio updated as of December 21, 2003.