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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Enjoy this two-part conversation and listening hang with Alexander Noice, an awesome composer, guitarist, improviser, and friend. To talk about his album Perpetually and Forever on Orenda Records. -
I was so happy to invite my good friend, colleague, and collaborator, Eddie Ludema, to the show to discuss his recent album, Modulus, released on Summit Records in late 2025. -
I’m happy to welcome back good friend Grant Harville for another conversation about music and culture. In this episode, Grant takes the lead to discuss Kendrick Lamar winning the Pulitzer Prize for music in 2018 for his album, Damn. -
For these episodes, I was joined by three commercial music students, Sky Olsen, Max Fedotov, and Brandt Moon, to talk about their trip to Treefort 2026.
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For these episodes, I was joined by three commercial music students, Sky Olsen, Max Fedotov, and Brandt Moon, to talk about their trip to Treefort 2026.
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Friday, May 1st, join us on the Quad from 2 pm-10 pm to hear an awesome lineup of great music by great musicians. In this episode, I’ll discuss the festival and play music from all of these incredible acts. -
Jon is happy to welcome back his good friend Grant Harville for another invigorating conversation about music.
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Jon is happy to welcome back his good friend Grant Harville for another invigorating conversation about music. This time, Grant asks Jon to read the infamous article, “Who Cares if You Listen”, written by the serialist composer Milton Babbitt in 1958.
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Bad Snacks, the artist name for musician Jesse Hanson, came to ISU in January of 2024 as our 3rd annual commercial music artist in residence. She worked directly with ISU Commercial Music students, producing an EP of their music. She returns this month, on March 20th, to perform with ISCS and the ISU Big Band. -
Bad Snacks, the artist name for musician Jesse Hanson, came to ISU in January of 2024 as our 3rd annual commercial music artist in residence. She worked directly with ISU Commercial Music students, producing an EP of their music. She returns this month, on March 20th, to perform with ISCS and the ISU Big Band.
