Calabasas High student wins national jazz music essay contest

Andrew Iser Born colorblind, the first time I felt the hint of what color must be like was when I saw my father's prized black-and-white photograph of Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. They were standing atop a balcony at a Paris hotel, being serenaded by their bands on the narrow street below. Seeing the happiness and camaraderie of the musicians in the picture somehow enabled me to sense a different dimension of music, one that I had never felt before.

Calabasas High School senior Andrew Iser may not recognize a full spectrum of colors, but apparently his lack of hue recognition has heightened other senses and talents, including his ability to write award-winning essays.

Iser was informed on March 15-his 18th birthday-that he had won third prize in the Essentially Ellington essay contest, a prestigious nationwide competition linked to the 11th Annual Essentially Ellington High School Band competition and festival.

Calabasas and Agoura High School jazz bands were among the 15 finalists nationwide chosen to compete in New York City in May.

"It was amazing when I got that phone call," Iser said.

This year, students were asked to share an experience that shaped the role of jazz in their lives. Iser, the son of Las Virgenes Unified School District Board President Cindy Iser, wrote his 500-word essay about the pivotal moment that deepened his connection to music, his family and the legendary musicians that shaped jazz and music forever.

Though I was constantly playing my trombone, both at school and at home, I had not found this joy in my own playing. Sometimes I wondered if my inability to see color somehow prevented me from finding the color in my musical soul.

Iser not only found his musical soul, but in the process he cultivated other creative expressions, including a love of writing. He is seeking ways to combine music and writing, and wants to study creative writing in college.

He hopes eventually to either blend his love of music and writing and become a composer for musical theater, or possibly seek a career writing for television.

Iser has already dabbled in writing musical theater. According to his mother, he wrote the script for the school's student-produced murder mystery play, Queen of Mean. Iser's play won first place for the school's 2006 Murder Mytery Script Writing contest, and was produced at the beginning of the year.

As for his winning the essay contest, Cindy Iser is a proud parent.

"Music has been a big part of (Andy's) life throughout high school, so it was just natural that he would want to share his love of jazz by writing about what inspired him," she said.

"It's very exciting that not only was his jazz band recognized for excellence by Jazz at Lincoln Center for the second time- which is quite a testament to the music program in the district and his teacher, (Josh) Barroll-but also that he received individual recognition for his writing, which is something else that he loves to do," Iser's mother said.

Barroll, the school's music director, said he was equally proud of his student.

"Andrew was the only student from Calabasas High School recognized for his essay, as only the top three essays in the whole country are recognized," Barroll said. "I am extremely proud of Andy for all he has accomplished and he deserves all the accolades that are coming his way."

Iser won a package of prizes for his essay, including five "essential" jazz recordings, three pieces of classic jazz literature, and a Jazz at Lincoln Center merchandise pack autographed by Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis. Winning essays will be showcased on the center's website.

In his essay, Iser described the feeling he had performing in the Eighth Annual Essentially Ellington Competition.

As my band mates and I played "Jump For Joy" on the stage of Avery Fisher Hall, something happened. Something grew in my soul, filled my longings and allowed me to experience the joy and camaraderie which had been missing throughout my years of playing. I had joined those musicians in the streets of Paris. I will never forget my most swingin' experience, because it filled my soul with color. At last.