Bobby Floyd

Bobby Floyd (born December 24, 1954) is an American pianist, organist, keyboardist, bandleader, and composer. Starting in the 1980s, he began a decades-long association with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra. His playing style has been influenced by his church upbringing, and by pianist Erroll Garner.

Early life Bobby Floyd was born in Marion, Ohio, on December 24, 1954, the son of Vera and Bob Floyd. He started playing piano at age two, and was discovered to have perfect pitch shortly after, Floyd developed his technique from listening to records of Oscar Peterson, Thelonious Monk, and Erroll Garner, and by age six played weekly at his local church. Floyd would later meet Garner when he was 12. In 1983, he recorded a series of TV specials, entitled "Special Request", which were syndicated on PBS. From 1984 to 1985, Floyd played piano and organ across Europe and the US in Ray Charles's band, where he opened shows before Charles entered stage, but left the band when his daughter was born. In 2004, Floyd took over as pianist in the Columbus Jazz Orchestra after the death of Hank Marr.

Personal life Floyd lives in Powell, Ohio, with his wife, Marilyn. They have one daughter, singer Bobbi Townes.

Awards 1986 – WBBY/Michelob "Jazz Search" Competition, as the Bobby Floyd Project, with Jeff Ciampa and Jim Rupp 2015 – Lincoln Theater "Walk of Fame" star on sidewalk, for Outstanding Contribution to Jazz 2018 – Grammy nomination with the Count Basie Orchestra, All About That Jazz (pianist) 2019 – Greater Columbus Arts Council Raymond J. Hanley Award

Discography

As a leader Interpretations (Gerard, 1986) Floyd's Finest Gift (CoJazz, 2001) Setting the Standards (Bobby Floyd Productions, 2001) Notes To and From My Friends (Summit, 2007)

As a sideman With Vince Andrews Love, Oh Love (Gerard, 1983), Very Convincing (Gerard, 1986) Hey, Vince! (Gerard, 1986)

With Christian Howes Confluence (Self-released, 1997) Ten Yard (Self-released, 1998) Out Of The Blue (Resonance, 2010)

With others Rusty Bryant – Rusty Rides Again (Phoenix Jazz, 1980; CD reissue: HighNote, 2001) Pete Mills – Art and Architecture (Summit, 2004) Columbus Jazz Orchestra – The Colors of Jazz (Jazz Arts Group, 2006) Jamey Aebersold – Feelin' Good! Blues in B-3 (Aebersold Jazz, 2007) - with Dave Stryker, Jonathan Higgins Ansyn Banks – Banks Gives Thanks (Resonance, 2011) Antonio Hart – Blessings (Jazz Legacy Productions, 2015) Count Basie Orchestra – All About That Basie (Concord, 2018) Bryan Olsheski – In the Moment (CoJazz, 2019) Rich Wiley – Conspiracy (Wise Cat, 2019) Dr. John – Ske-Dat-De-Dat: The Spirit of Satch (Concord, 2019) Rich Thompson – Who Do You Have To Know (Origin, 2023) - with Corey Christiansen Count Basie Orchestra – Basie Swings the Blues (Candid, 2023) Thom Rotella – Side Hustle (HighNote, 2024)