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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Excited to welcome Dan Rosenboom, the musical phenomenon from Los Angeles, on the show this week. -
The Big Sky Conference Preseason Coaches' and Media Polls have been released, with the Idaho State Bengals tabbed for 7th place headed into the 2025 football season.
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Roy Ayers was a visionary composer, musician, bandleader, vibraphonist, and vocalist. He forged a powerful and unique blend of jazz, funk, R&B, rap, and soul that was all his own. His music was brilliant, sounded amazing, and grooved like crazy. He died at the age of 84 in March of 2025. -
It’s July in Pocatello, and that means it’s Shady Grove season! Our hometown music festival is organized by an incredible brain trust of wonderful folks, bringing us music, community, and the best vibes of the year at FMC park.
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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.
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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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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.
