Playing at Lincoln Cente
By Danny Jonokuchi Special to The Acorn

THE BIG TIME- Agoura High School's jazz musicans impressed a panel of judges at the Lincoln Center, and played with jazz legend Wynton Marsalis during the three-day competition. Photo courtesy of RICK MARKOVITZ

Standing center stage in the enormous and world famous Lincoln Center, I faced an empty theater and wondered what it would be like to play from this stage for thousands of people with one of the world's greatest musicians. One hour later, as a member of the Agoura High School Studio Jazz Band, I played with the grammywinning trumpet artist, Wynton Marsalis.

Every spring for the last 12 years, the Essentially Ellington Festival, hosted by Marsalis, director of jazz at Lincoln Center, is held in New York City. High school jazz bands from throughout the nation are eligible to audition. This year, two of our Agoura High School's jazz bands were accepted as finalists in the festival: the Studio Jazz band, directed by John Mosley, and the Jazz A Band, directed by Chad Bloom. This marks the first time that a school has sent two bands to this highly prestigious international jazz competition.

Throughout the weekend festival, the students embarked on a musical journey through workshops, clinics, practice and the culminating competition. The top three placing bands performed during the final night at the Lincoln Center and were honored to accompany Wynton Marsalis. I must say that this was particulary intimidating and exhilarating for me, as I am a member of the trumpet section, which, of course, is the instrument that Marsalis is known to command so brilliantly.

During the festival, the students attended clinics held by members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Additionally, over the course of the weekend, both bands were given mentors to help them work on technique, style and swing. The Agoura bands had the pleasure of working with Ali Jackson, playing drums, and Arturo O'Farrill, playing piano.

All the members were excited as this was the first year our school placed in the top three- achieving a goal the band has had for years. When Marsalis announced Agoura's top honors, the entire band jumped and cheered. What made this moment especially meaningful was the genuine happiness that the Jazz A Band had for our accomplishments.

Everyone was glad that the Studio Jazz Band's hard work had paid off. Inspired by John Mosley, our musical director, who pushed us to perform at a high level, the result was an experience we will never forget.

Danny Jonokuchi is a junior at Agoura High School.