Singer and actress Carmen Ruby Floyd has appeared on several Broadway stages of Lion King, Porgy and Bess, and recently Hello, Dolly! Additionally, she gained worldwide recognition in the jazz world, performing alongside Vanessa Williams. While paying a special tribute to Ella Fitzgerald on PBS with the American Pops Orchestra, opera singer and producer David Serero was blown away by Floyd’s incredible talents and vocals and gifted his first Broadway studio album. Classics, arranged in a jazz style. Among the revisited standards are Summertime (Porgy & Bess), Dat’s Love aka Habanera (Carmen Jones), Bali Hai (South Pacific), People (Funny Girl), Hello, Dolly, My Funny Valentine (Babes in Arms), Stranger in Paradise (Kismet), I Could’ve Danced All Night (My Fair Lady), I Love Being a Girl (Flower Drum Song), and more!

All of these songs were arranged in a jazz arrangement and produced by David Serero, who commented, “Carmen has a unique way of approaching each piece. Her voice is honey to the ears, and her vocal variations and colors are exceptional and unique. She truly is one of the most remarkable performers to work with. Carmen brings so much freshness and a “champagne effect” to these important classics of beautiful American culture. Our collaboration is a new approach for all Broadway connoisseurs who will discover and rediscover these musical gems. “

The album was recorded in the spring and summer of 2021 in New York City. “I am very honored to present my first album to the world. I grew mesmerized by these songs, from original recordings by actors to jazz standards recorded by artists I love, and now I can share my own versions of jazz. with the world, ”Carmen Ruby Floyd commented.

The album “Broadway, Jazz Me!” is available on all platforms.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7dxmEHAfh41hdKWJGVmu0r

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/broadway-jazz-me/1579607541

YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHldccqh_FPi-RQmfqQHNKnizvT9-2gWh

Carmen’s love for singing began with her mother Alice and her siblings, The Gayles Family Singers, who traveled the country performing their original gospel music. Ms. Floyd was cast for Disney’s The Lion King, reserving the role of Shenzi in the original Toronto cast. Then she came to New York to play the role of Tiny Lee in the Langton Hughes’s Little Ham (AMAS Musical Theater) show. For her role in Little Ham, Ms. Floyd received a nomination for Best Actress in a Musical at the AUDELCO Awards. She followed that nomination with an AUDELCO victory for Best Cast in a Musical for the show, Crowns at Second Stage, originally playing the role of Yolanda. Ms Floyd then joined the Original Broadway Company of the Tony Award-winning musical Avenue Q and received the coveted Broadway Gypsy Robe for that cast, which is awarded to the Ensemble member with the most Broadway shows to his credit.

In her fourth Broadway show, After Midnight, Ms. Floyd wowed audiences every night with her mute but thrilling take on “Creole Love Call”. She created the role at Encores! City Center under the show title Cotton Club Parade. The New York Times said: “Ellington’s wordless but gorgeous ‘Creole Love Call’ is delivered by Carmen Ruby Floyd with hypnotic simplicity, her voice taking flight in tandem with the fading melody, which seems to visibly shine in it. air in front of you. ” – Charles Isherwood.

Mrs. Floyd has returned to Encores! for its 75th season in the wacky anti-war musical Promenade by Maria Flores and Al Carmine. She was last seen on Broadway in Hello Dolly! Ms Floyd had the honor of voicing the role of Dolly Levi played by legends Bernadette Peters, Donna Murphy and Bette Midler. She was the first African-American Dolly on Broadway since the iconic Pearl Bailey. Proudly, she has performed several times, for former President Obama and Mrs. Obama and former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Some other favorites are Whoopi Goldberg, Natalie Cole, Bryan Cranston, Diana Ross, Tom Hanks, Oprah, Jimmy Fallon, Janet Jackson, Barbra Streisand, Renee Fleming, Jim Carrey and Aretha Franklin. In addition, she has had the pleasure of working with many celebrities such as Tina Fey, Gladys Knight, Toni Braxton, Babyface, Fantasia, Hugh Jackman and mentor Vanessa Williams, which she now tours around the world.

Along with her stage work, Ms. Floyd has been seen in various commercials and heard in a multitude of voiceovers. His television roles include appearances in Orange Is the New Black, Person of Interest, The Super Bowl XLVII, The Tony Awards, One Life to Live, Law & Order: SVU and The Traveler. As an exciting addition to an already fascinating career, Ms. Floyd’s debut album, Broadway, Jazz Me !, arranged and produced by David Serero, is released in September 2021.