Jo, a.k.a “Washboard Jo”, a lifelong music fan and Kansas City native, moved to Iowa as a little girl 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. She was intrigued immediately and joined the percussion line She marched in hundreds of parades as well as numerous 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 of her dedication in her youth and countless hours spent learning rudimentary skills she never thought she’d use finally paid off. She was chosen from the audience and given what seemed to her a silly instrument at the time, a washboard to place upon her chest. She hasn’t put it down since.
She has captivated audiences with her endless energy and versatile playing styles, bridging the gap between such genres as Blues, Jazz, Funk, Zydeco, Gospel, Bluegrass, Reggae, and Rhythm and Blues. She also has performed as Washboard Jo and the Soapsuds and Poodle and the Pitbulls. In addition to her talent for playing rudiments on the washboard and many other instruments she creates visuals and memories through her songwriting and poetry.
Jo thanks all of you for your love, support and interest in her passion for 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!”

Washboard Jo is following

Washboard Jo is not following anyone.