Jon Armstrong, Part 1: The Highly-Creative and Innovative Jazz Saxophonist, former LA Freelancer, Bandleader, Composer and current Professor of Jazz Studies and Commercial Music at Idaho State University

Jon Armstrong is an amazingly versatile performer, composer, educator and thinker. Perhaps that should come as no surprise, since as a young man in his home town in Oregon, Jon not only played in a Buddhist marching band but also worked 12 hour shifts in a diaper factory! After a highly successful career in LA, he now teaches at Idaho State University, where he's established a fantastic commercial music program, while still performing and composing and at an extremely high level.Jon grew up in Corvallis, Oregon, and at a very young age was already deeply involved in music, learning any instrument he could get his hands on and playing in a variety of groups. His studies at the California Institute for the Arts were followed by seven years in Los Angeles, where he worked as a freelancer, band-leader and composer... and also founded three educational jazz programs! He moved to Pocatello to become Director of Jazz Studies at Idaho State University in 2015, which he has evolved into the new Commercial Music Program. Much of our discussion centers around his thoughts on pedagogy and building the commercial music program.DoricoProfessional music notation and composition software from Steinberg. Download a free 30-trial today!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.