Jazz is gradually being reclaimed for God and award-winning vocalist RUTH NAOMI FLOYD is helping lead the charge. She spoke to George Luke.

After a period of getting nowhere trying to sell the jazz idea to Christian labels, Ruth and lawyer/manager Keith R McKinley start their own, Contour Records. "It was tough getting distribution deals," says Ruth. "It was such a narrow category and such a hybrid, it took us ages to get record stores to file it under jazz and not gospel. Distribution problems were really tough on this style. Plus we were financing the whole deal ourselves, so we had to wait until funds came in."

Working on the album gave Ruth the opportunity to utilize another of her talents. A Fine Art Photography major, she took the photographs that appear on the album cover. "That was one of the beautiful things about having your own label," Ruth laughs. "You could shoot your own cover knowing it'd be accepted! It was a great challenge for me. I'd entered photography competitions before, but I hadn't done too may self-portraits."

The first thing that strikes you about 'Paradigms...' is how much of a team effort it is. Ruth might be lead vocalist but the band isn't simply her backing band; each instrumentalist has their moment in the spotlight.

"I am soooo grateful to have them," Ruth enthuses. "I talked to my production team - Kaznunori Sugiyama and Keith R McKinley - abut the line up, and we wanted first and foremost a team of musicians that would bring various styles to the music, and demonstrate their ability and artistic openness to jazz. As you can hear in the record, I really wanted them to be a part of it. I didn't want them to just be 'backing me up'; I wanted them to get into it and dig deep.

"We had Uri Caine on piano, who's a Philadelphia born and bred musician; he's in New York now and he has recorded and performed with the likes of Don Byron and Freddie Hubbard. He served as associate producer and brought a lot of creativity to the album.

"On acoustic bass, we had Ed Howard, who's absolutely wonderful. He's recorded with Stanley Turrentine and Benny Green, amongst others. Kevin Bruce Harris played electric bass and also served as associate producer. He's performed and recorded with Steve Coleman and Cassandra Wilson and has recorded two CDs as a leader.

"Brian Carrott played vibes. He's a Christian and a wonderful, beautiful composer; he has three tracks which he contributed to the album. Craig Handy played tenor/soprano saxophone, he's performed and recorded with Art Blakey, Wynton Marsalis, Billy Eckstine and Betty Carter. I love working with him because he knows how to weave in and out around a vocalist. At times, there's a conversation going on between us. He's in Robert Akman's jazz movie Kansas City, which is currently out over here. Finally, but not least, Terri Lyne Carrington's on drums. One evening, I listened to the album without vocals on it and I was just blown away with her playing. She's recorded with everyone, including Al Jarreau, Dianne Reeves and John Pattitucci.

"They were all great to work with; I think they enjoyed the freedom. They were surprised that I encouraged that and they brought ideas and that was key to me as a vocalist, to have instrumentalists that were open."

Ruth used to juggle her budding singing career with a day job as internal wholesaler for an investment firm. Her current day job is as Education And Outreach Coordinator for a Philadelphia based ministry called Hope. "Hope is a Christian ministry that gives a gift of mercy to those that are HIV positive, or affected by AIDS," Ruth explains. "We help counsel or just support - medically, financially, spiritually or physically -those who are fighting that battle. It's a tough job but I love it. I don't make anywhere near the amount of money I used to (laughs) but I know God's called me to do it, so I'm grateful to be here."

I ask if her day job has had any effect on her songwriting. "Absolutely," Ruth replies. "At Hope, we're constantly faced with death, darkness and the spiritual warfare that takes place during that time, because not all our clients are Christians. That weighs very heavily, when someone passes on without making a confession of faith, or accepting Jesus; it can be really tough. But it has sharpened my lyric writing; I've geared it towards Scriptures that have enabled me to stand and communicate some of what I'm a part of to other people's lives. Music is one way that I'm able to release some of the pressure, stress, heartache and sadness that comes with the job. There are joyful moments too, though; we just had one client who passed away literally singing a hymn. I think it's a real privilege to be invited in at the close of someone's life."

Newlywed Ruth (married in April) still maintains close links with her family, who have been a major support. Dad's her mentor (and benevolent banker whenever necessary), and all Mum's sacrifices are now paying off. As for her sisters - "They keep threatening to sing backup on my next album if I ever write something that needs backup singers." Her husband's also in the ministry, mainly to college students. "He's not a musician or anything, but he loves music."

It's nearly three years since 'Paradigms...' was recorded; since then Ruth has returned to France, visited Egypt, performed at a Billie Holiday tribute concert and studied composition with flautist/composer Jams Newton. More importantly, Album Number Two is about ready. "It follows the same format, but we've really embellished," Ruth says. "We added more instrumentation and it shows a lot of growth from me, both compositionally and vocally, which I'm thankful to the Lord for allowing to happen. I'm excited; I can't wait for the album to come out."

Well, that makes two of us...