Over the past few weeks we’ve been asking our listeners to write short essays on how they first fell in love with jazz. We had a total of 88 entries, as well as many essays written by our staff members and prominent musicians in the jazz community, including Joe Gilman, Jim Martinez, Mark Elf, Dave Bass and Ali Ryerson.

Our panel of judges rated essays on writing talent and content of the story. Here are our five winners:

First Place: Angelo Williams

This essay was written from the heart by a man who knows the importance of family and love.

Second Place: Scott Mortimore

This essay shows us the world through the eyes of a child, written with innocence and clarity.

Third Place: George Erdosh

This essay illustrates the importance of Voice of America and reminds us all of something we might take for granted.

Honorable Mention: Christopher Cassels

Cassels writes with a sense of adventure. The essay appeals to the free spirit in all of us.

Honorable Mention: Bob Stanley

Sacramento’s former Poet Laureate weaves a web of the enchantment of the genre.

We’ll continue to post your essays in the coming weeks on capradiomusic.org. Although the contest is over, we’d still like to hear your story! You can always email it to: [email protected]