Jon Armstrong
Host of Don't Call It JazzHost of Don't Call it Jazz (DCiJ) on KISU-FM. DCiJ air's twice monthly on Saturday nights at 7:00 pm.
Jonathan Armstrong is an Idaho based creative musician, bandleader, composer, and innovative educator. In 2015, he moved to Pocatello to take the job as the Director of Jazz Studies at Idaho State University. Before that he resided in Los Angeles, where we worked as a professional musician. He has released two critically acclaimed albums: “Farewell” (2013) features compositions for a 25-piece large ensemble, and “Burnt Hibiscus” (2015) sets surrealist poetry to Indian ragas for a 10-piece ensemble. He is also a member of the Kobie Watkins Grouptet, a jazz quintet that regularly performs all throughout the country. Their debut album "Movement" was released in 2018.
Jon was recently awarded a 2019 Idaho Commission on the Arts Performing Arts Fellowship. He enjoys long walks in the Pocatello hills with his wife, daughter, and dog.
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In this two-part series on Don’t Call it Jazz, we will celebrate the life, music, and art of Brian Wilson and Sly Stone. -
On this two-part series on Don’t Call it Jazz, we will celebrate the life, music, and art of Brian Wilson and Sly Stone.
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To celebrate Pride Month, I am celebrating LGBTQ jazz and creative artists with a curated playlist of wonderful contemporary musicians. This show is dedicated to humanity and art, fellowship, and respect. Here’s to the artists who are making wonderful music and to a future where all have the freedom to live our lives bravely and without apology.
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The ISU Video Game Music Ensemble will be presenting their spring concert Saturday April 19th at 7:30pm in Jensen Concert Hall. I am joined in-studio by my colleague and co-director of the VGME, Dr. Eddie Ludema to talk about the concert, the ensemble, and the work our amazing students put into the performance. -
For this episode of Don’t Call it Jazz, I am honored to present the live recording from the debut performance of my new composition, “Voluntary Breath” a concerto for orchestra and solo saxophone. The piece was premiered by the Great Falls Symphony, based in Great Falls, Montana, under the direction of Grant Harville. -
I am very excited to welcome my wonderful music department colleague Jenna McLean back on the show, to talk about and check out her new album, For Your Love.
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This episode of Don’t Call it Jazz will provide a full preview of the upcoming ISU Jazz Fest, happening on Friday February 7th and Saturday February 8th featuring the wonderful musician, world-percussionist and drummer Randy Gloss coming from Los Angeles. -
The last few weeks have been so sad for me and my family, as we watch helplessly from our home in Idaho, the devastation from the wildfires in Los Angeles. My wife and I lived in Northern Altadena for many years while we were down there, and our old neighborhood is completely gone. Obliterated in the blink of an eye by a brutally violent wildfire. -
Jon curates a playlist of some of the great music released on City Creek Records in 2024, discussing the projects in detail, revealing some planned projects for 2025, and shares his new year’s resolution for the ISU Commercial Music Program and City Creek Records. -
Merry Christmas from Don’t Call it Jazz! 🎄✨ This year, we’re celebrating the season with a festive mix of old-timey and bluegrass Christmas tunes. Join us for a heartwarming musical holiday!
