The MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) Jazz Artist in Residence program continues its 2024 Spring Semester programming by welcoming Bobby Floyd, an accomplished performer and composer who offers a life-long joy of jazz keyboards to audiences across the globe. 

During the residency which runs March 24–30, Floyd will bring his music to the campus community for a public performance on Friday, March 29 at 8 p.m. at the Fairchild Theater. With his passionate and inspirational connection to various instruments, Floyd brings distinguished expertise to jazz keyboards and particularly the organ to the music scene at MSU. 

“I’m thrilled that Bobby Floyd is going to be with us for a week. He is, in my opinion, one of the unsung heroes of the organ, said Xavier Davis, MSU professor of jazz piano with the College of Music. “Mr. Floyd’s ability to draw emotion out of his instrument is unmatched. Our students will gain so much by having this musical master here.”

The passion with which Bobby Floyd plays piano, organ, and keyboards comes from his natural ability and discovery of keyboards at the age of two. Whether performing jazz or gospel, as a soloist or with a trio or big band, he is a superb musician who has many distinguished appearances to his credit. Floyd has toured and performed extensively with Ray Charles, Rusty Bryant, Jeff Tyzik, Chris Howes, Byron Stripling, Sarah Morrow, and his own trio. Whether performing with his hometown Columbus Jazz Orchestra or on stages nationwide, Floyd brings his accomplished craft to every musical community.

The dynamic MSUFCU Jazz Artist in Residence series, now in its 11^th season, brings high-level talent to spend a week teaching and performing with MSU jazz studies and K-12 students at schools and academies across Michigan. In addition to Floyd, the working musicians, educators and composers featured in the 2023-2024 season include pianist Geoffrey Keezer, percussionist Sylvia Cuenca, and vocalist Jazzmeia Horn. The MSU College of Music coordinates the innovative residency, launched in 2013 and supported by a $1 million endowment by MSUFCU. It follows the jazz tradition of established musicians passing on their knowledge to aspiring musicians, while often enriching resource-strapped jazz programs in urban and rural communities across the state.

General admission seating tickets to Floyd’s concert on campus on Friday, March 29 are available at $17 for adults, $15 for seniors (age 60 and older), and $7 for students. Information and tickets to all MSU College of Music concerts can be found on the MSU College of Music website.

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Jazz Artists in Residence Schedule Overview

Bobby Floyd, jazz keyboardist, March 24-30, 2024. Click here for a full bio.

Jazz pianist Bobby Floyd will travel to, perform for, and visit music and jazz programs at public schools and academies across the state.

• Sunday, March 24, Detroit, Mich. Blue Sunday, MSU Federal Credit Union, 4 p.m. 243 W Congress St, (Doors open at 3 p.m.)
• Monday, March 25, East Lansing, Mich. Blue Monday, MSU Federal Credit Union, 6 p.m. 3777 West Rd. (Doors open at 5 p.m. limited seating, RSVP required)
• Tuesday, March 26, Rockford, Mich. Rockford High School with Northview High School, 6 p.m. 4100 Kroes St NE.
• Wednesday, March 27, Detroit, Mich. MSU Community Music School, 6 p.m. 3408 Woodward Ave.
• Thursday, March 28, East Lansing, Mich. Workshop with MSU Jazz orchestras, Murray Hall,
  11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Music Building, 333 West Circle Dr.
• Friday, March 29, East Lansing, Mich. Performance with MSU Jazz Orchestras I, II, and III, 8 p.m. Fairchild Theatre, 542 Auditorium Rd.
• Saturday, March 30, Suttons Bay, Mich. Suttons Bay High School, 3 p.m. 310 Elm Street
  726 Fuller Ave.

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Video Preview

Bobby Floyd with The Columbus Jazz Orchestra, performs “Down by the Riverside.”

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Press materials

View or download the press release (PDF)
Contact Michael Sundermann, 517-353-2043, sunderm7@msu.edu 

MSU will host first-ever jazz organist and pianist Bobby Floyd, as part of the MSUFCU Jazz Artist in Residence program March 24–30 highlighted by a public performance Friday, March 29 at 8 p.m. at the Fairchild Theater.

From Columbus Ohio, Bobby Floyd has amassed an extensive career which includes performances with Ray Charles, Rusty Bryant, Jeff Tyzik, Chris Howes, Byron Stripling, Sarah Morrow, and his own trio.

Bobby Floyd’s passion for jazz piano, organ, and keyboards comes from his natural ability and discovery of keyboards at the age of two.