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”
thank you for the friendship! I just bought a washboard and i've been fascinated by the way you play... Thank you and keep on being who you are. If you ever around nyc let me know PEACE
Thanks for the add. I get up to K.C. once a month on business. I try to catch the local blues band when possible. Caught TUF last month at Eclipse. Hope to see you sometime.
You look great yourself! How are you doing? I'm GREAT!! I've gained back my freedom and my sanity. The babies are doing great. Alex has 4 teeth and is starting to try to walk. Natalie is potty trained and ready to start preschool next year. I love you and I hope all is well with you and yours. Please tell erika I said hi and give the baby hugs from me. God Bless.
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.
