LA MIRADA, CALIF. 一 Jazz vocalist and composer Ruth Naomi Floyd will give the west coast debut of “Frederick Douglass Jazz Works,” a suite of both composed and improvised jazz music created to honor the legacy of the famed activist, abolitionist and statesman at Biola University’s Calvary Chapel on February 20, 2020 at 7:30 p.m.

Floyd’s original compositions are paired with words from Douglass’ landmark speeches, addressing the tragedy, grief and injustice of American slavery through a prism of hope, perseverance and triumph. Performed by Floyd’s gifted ensemble of musicians and artists, the words of Frederick Douglass come to life through expressive sound, poetry and dance.

Floyd as an artist is grounded in faith, which shows through in her musical works.

According to her website, Floyd holds the themes of Frederick Douglass’ life “in poetic tension within her body of creative work,” and “has lectured prolifically on the intersection of beauty, theology, and the arts throughout the world.”

This concert will be a pre-SCORR Conference event. SCORR Conference’s goal is to empower attendees to become catalysts for change through transformational learning and growth as they engage the diversity of the Kingdom of God. Biola faculty Diane Vincent, Torrey Honors College professor, Marc Malandra, English professor and Melissa Schubert, dean of the school of Humanities and Social Sciences, will join Floyd on a SCORR Conference panel on Friday, February 21 at 10:30 a.m. in Calvary Chapel. They will consider together the ways that Douglass’s voice continues to guide and challenge both the church and Biola in their relationship to the progress of human liberty.

In observation of Black History Month, Biola will celebrate the legacy of Frederick Douglass through artistic remembrance and engaging in conversation at SCORR Conference.

The concert is $5 for Biola students and $12 for the general public. More information on the event and ticket purchases can be found on Biola’s website. For more information regarding the concert, contact media.relations@biola.edu.

Written by Sarah Dougher, Media Relations Assistant.