The Robert “Buzz” Armstrong Memorial Creative Impact Award in Sound

The Buzz Award was established in 2015 by Soundwave to award promising Bay Area artists making a creative impact with their sound-related work. The late Robert T. “Buzz” Armstrong, the father of Louis Armstrong, one of Soundwave’s founding board members, was an avid music lover and a proud supporter of young artists.

Of live performances, he would say: “Look how much energy they have. They are trying new things, exploring the sound…”

This award recognizes a Bay Area artist making an impact in their particular sound/music field and have demonstrable great potential and commitment to performance and immersive art.

The awardee’s commission will be featured as production in an upcoming Soundwave event and receive a financial prize to help further their work.

 Recipients are selected based on these criteria:

• Living and working in the San Francisco Bay Area.
• Demonstrate a strong critical and creative body of work based in sound, music or multidisciplinary arts with a basis in sound.
• Showcasing work that exemplifies the mission of Soundwave  and demonstrates a strong impact to community consciousness.
• Unique exploratory action/collaboration within their Soundwave commission and the constant pushing of creative and critical boundaries in their own practice.