forever in my heart will stay Blues, Rap and Zydeco just to name a few Gospel, Bluegrass, Reggae, Rock I want to share with you, Jazz, D.J. Overlay, R&B and Funk I promise you right now my friend You'll damn sure shake your trunk
Jo a.ka. “WashBoard Jo” a lifelong music fan and Kansas City native, was a little girl when she moved to Iowa. As a teenager, in the mid 70’s, she joined The Nee Hi’s, an 80 piece, all girl drum and bugle corps out of Clinton, Iowa. Immediately intrigued, Jo joined the percussion line. She marched in hundreds of parades and field competitions. During this time, Jo had an amazing percussion instructor named Ramiro Martinez. He was a major influence on her development as a musician.
Although her rhythm and love for music developed at an early age, it wasn’t until the fall of 2000, while attending a concert at the Grand Emporium in Kansas City, Missouri, that all the dedication in her youth and countless hours spent learning rudimentary skills she never thought she’d use, finally paid off. Jo was chosen from the audience and given what seemed like a silly instrument at the time, a washboard, to place upon her chest. She hasn’t put it down since.
WashBoard Jo captivates audiences with her endless energy and versatile playing styles, bridging the gap between blues, jazz, funk, zydeco, gospel, bluegrass, reggae, and rhythm and blues. Besides the washboard, Jo has an array of percussion instruments she could summon and dazzle with at any time in a show or song. In addition to her talent for playing rudiments on the washboard and these other instruments she visuals and memories through her songwriting and poetry.
Jo thanks all of you for your love and support and interest in her passion of music. Her wish is that all of you enjoy her music as much as she enjoys sharing it with you. And, as Jo always says, music truly is, “The next best thing to God”
Hey Lady! Hope your having a blast in New Orleans...wish I was there to ya'll! Safe travels.. It was such a priviledge to have met you @ knucks.. I look forward to our paths crossing again. YOU are a wonderfully talented soul. xoxoxo Missangieweaver www.kcfunk.com
Thanks for the add of friendship Washboard Jo! I wish you the best of luck with your career! Thanks for being my friend and a friend of MAGICMAD!! I send love to you and to all you love! Sincerely, Lawrence Mark MAGICMAD FAN CLUB WORLDWIDE
What fun, WashBoard Jo!! Love your music & am delighted to be a friend - thank you. Will be stopping by your page for a good time often. All the best to you, Jo.
GIRL!!! You are sooo badd....and funky, bluesy, country...I love your style and music. We gotta hook up and record something...Cant wait till you come to Los Angeles, CA
Hey WashBoard Jo: Thanks for the friend request. Looks like you have a fun band! Wuld love to sit in w/u or tour w/your band and mine sometime! Would be a gas! When was the last time you heard one woman play wicked harp with unnaturally Long notes, sing emotionally charged powerful vocals, and play finger style guitar? Video's: http://www. youtube. com/view_play_list?p=F90A22835290CEE9 Take Care, all the very best, Hope to hear back from ya, Octavia
Jo a.ka. “WashBoard Jo” a lifelong music fan and Kansas City native, was a little girl when she moved to Iowa. As a teenager, in the mid 70’s, she joined The Nee Hi’s, an 80 piece, all girl drum and bugle corps out of Clinton, Iowa. Immediately intrigued, Jo joined the percussion line. She marched in hundreds of parades and field competitions. During this time, Jo had an amazing percussion instructor named Ramiro Martinez. He was a major influence on her development as a musician.
