Jazz, Gospel, Blues & Soul

Christian Howes & Bobby Floyd

A deeply connected musical partnership rooted in Columbus, Ohio, bringing jazz, gospel, swing, blues, R&B, and inspirational music together with warmth, spontaneity, and soul.

The program places communication and feeling at the center of the performance—virtuoso music designed to lift an audience.

Christian Howes performing with pianist and organist Bobby Floyd

A musical relationship rooted in 1996
Mentorship, friendship, and decades of collaboration

Flexible formats
Duo or quartet with bass and drums

Bobby Floyd
Count Basie Orchestra, Ray Charles, Dr. John, and more

The Program

Christian and Bobby first began playing together before Christian’s move to New York City. Their long musical history allows them to move instinctively through jazz standards, gospel, swing, blues, R&B, and popular or inspirational repertoire.

“Inspirational” is the word they return to most often. The goal is not simply technical display, but an experience that feels generous, joyful, and alive.

“Bobby has long been considered a university of the streets in Columbus, passing on the oral tradition to younger musicians like me. After all these years—and after working with many major artists—I still see him as one of my greatest mentors, musically and personally.”
— Christian Howes

Presenting Formats

Duo

Violin with piano or B-3 organ. An intimate, highly interactive program that foregrounds the musical conversation between Christian and Bobby.

Quartet

The duo expanded with bass and drums for a fuller concert experience spanning gospel, swing, blues, soul, and jazz.

The collaboration can also anchor workshops, masterclasses, community programs, and residencies centered on improvisation, mentorship, oral tradition, and the connections among jazz, gospel, and American music.