Columbus Musician Bobby Floyd Presented with The Spirit of Columbus® Award

Long before the critically acclaimed albums and international tours, keyboardist Bobby Floyd was a 2-year-old boy perched at a piano, discovering his natural gift. From those early melodies, he built a distinguished career defined by creativity, collaboration, virtuosity, and joy.

Born in Marion, Ohio, Floyd discovered jazz through his father’s record collection. He moved to Columbus in 1974 to study at The Ohio State University but left to pursue his music career full-time. Within a few years, Floyd was touring throughout the United States and internationally, playing alongside jazz legends such as Ray Charles and the Count Basie Orchestra.

Today, Floyd is a beloved member of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, where he continues to enrich the cultural life of central Ohio through his music. His jazz trio, the Bobby Floyd Trio, also regularly performs locally.

Last month, Floyd’s exceptional artistry was celebrated at The Columbus Foundation, where Floyd was surprised with the Foundation’s The Spirit of Columbus® Award. Created in 2013 in honor of Jerrie Mock, the first woman to fly around the world solo, the award recognizes those in the community who exhibit bravery, determination, and inspiration through their actions.

“I learned from Bobby that we can be authentically who we are as artists, no matter where we are, as long as we live by our principles,” said fellow musician Mark Lomax, II, Director of Arts & Generational Grantmaking at the Foundation. “More than being a great musician, he’s a fantastic human.”To learn more, visit The Columbus Foundation.

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