JoVia Armstrong: Shaping the Future of Sound through Innovation and Education

JoVia Armstrong is a an award-winning percussionist, composer and educator whose work blends rhythm, technology, and experimental composition. This year she was voted as one of the best percussionists in the world by DownBeat Magazine’s 74th Annual Critics Poll. She leads the electroacoustic ensemble Eunoia Society which explores sound as a healing tool and you’ll be hearing music from their first two albums, The Antidote Suite and Inception, which are linked in the show notes for you. In fact, I found out about JoVia when I interviewed Leslie De Shazor a couple of years ago for this podcast, and my episode with her is linked for you along with a few other suggested episodes.

Today you’ll learn about JoVia’s collaborators and mentors including Nicole Mitchell and Francisco Mora Catlett as well as her development as a musician with the encouragement of her family. JoVia spoke with me about the importance of mentoring youth, self-reflection and self-care. She is currently Assistant Professor of music at the University of Virginia, where she teaches in the Composition and Computer Technology Program while researching the intersection of Black contemplative music, technology and urban space.

You can also watch this video on my YouTube, and I’ve also linked the transcript. It'ss a joy to bring these inspiring episodes to you, and I do all the many jobs of research, production and publicity. Have a look at the show notes of this episode on my website, where you’ll find all the links, including JoVia Armstrong, the albums featured in this episode, how you can support this podcast, podcast merch and other episodes you’ll enjoy: All the links!

(00:00) Intro

(03:10) keyboards, Leslie DeShazor, her teaching at the University of Virginia, managers

(14:09) Eunoia Society, elements of contemplative music with clip of Meditations on Oya from The Antidote Suite

(18:38) Nicole Mitchell, Black Earth SWAY

(24:00) The Antidote Suite, Bridget Cooks, with clip of Breathe

(29:44) grad school in California, sisters, remembering Joyce

(37:30) cajon, Francisco Mora Catlett, suggested episodes and ways to support this independent podcast

(37:41) Elizabeth Catlett, Francisco Mora Catlett, cajon, Musique Noire

(45:20) The Antidote Suite, about Shades and Shapes with clip of the music, Herbie Hancock influence

(50:49) working with women, self-reflection, reverb and caves, self-care

(01:05:08) Inception album, Eunoia Society, problem with audiences in classical music concerts, clips of track 1 and 2

(01:13:16) supportive parents, mentoring youth