Creating music that evokes emotion is my gift…
“Iz’s music evokes vivid emotion, feelings that can be projected as specifc images in a rhythm or a lyric, a song or a scene, a place or a space. In other words, cinematic…”
– Grammy Award winning music producer Don Mizell
“Creating music that evokes emotion is my gift,” says Israel “Iz” Charles, an accomplished musician/ composer/ arts educator. “My dedication to sharing it while inspiring others to create and perform as well is my story.”
“Iz” began his musical career at the age of six following in the footsteps of his father, the late Ervin Charles, who was a highly regarded Blues guitarist in Southeast Texas. By age 12 he was playing drums professionally in his father’s band! Always interested in education, Iz went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Music Theory and Composition from Grambling State University.
While there he got into pop music songwriting and production. He soon scored placements with a Jay King produced vocal quartet “New Choice,” (Warner Bros), and then Richard “Dimples” Fields on Bellmark Records. It was his first taste of the record biz, and it whetted his appetite.
But after graduation he used his degree to enter the field of professional educator while still exploring opportunities in the music biz.
“I think I was on the verge of breaking into the industry,” says Iz. “I had already garnered several placements, and was traveling back and forth from Texas to Los Angeles and Miami working on musical projects as a songwriter and producer. “Dimples” was introducing me to several A list artists and execs, touting me as the next hot up and coming producer. Once I played my reel for Danny Thomas, keyboardist for ConFunkShun, he immediately called Jay King and just like that I signed my first songwriters’ contract. I got ready to launch my career in Hollywood,”
“But one night I had a spiritual revelation. It was like God spoke to me in a dream and said – I have blessed you to inspire young people, and that is what I want you to do.
I listened closely. Although everything looked promising at the time in show biz it now seemed like a journey based solely on just my own wants and desires would not be enough. I noticed how everything in the education realm was already really opening wide and was laid out for me. I realized my impact on the young students I encountered as an educator could be profound. It was one of the greatest blessings I have ever experienced.”
Iz Charles went on to touch the lives of hundreds of students over the coming years, helping some of them to earn scholarships to college while others have gone on to success as Grammy nominated recording artist and producers in the music industry with stars such as Kent Jones, Jason Derulo, both of whom scored #1 hits as well as Grammy winning producer Danny Murdock for his work with John Legend.
In so doing Iz still earned a Master’s of Music degree in Commercial Music with an emphasis on Film Composition. AND “Let’s Fall in Love Again,” one of the songs he produced for his Master’s Thesis gained notoriety when it climbed to #1 on the Billboard R&B Singles Sales Chart in April of 2007!” Honor!
“The production bug has never stopped biting me since I graduated college. So going back to school to obtain my Masters was a great opportunity to study and learn more about it, but I could do it while still honoring my commitment to serve students.”
Currently Mr. Charles is the Artistic Director for the award-winning Dillard Center for the Arts Visual & Performing Arts Magnet High School, recognized as one of the elite high school magnet programs in the nation.
“ I feel like I have honored my commitment to serve our young people by teaching them about the incredible power of music. I am really proud of my accomplishments over the years in that light. But in that same spirit I think its time for me to expand my horizons a bit and double back now to my first impulse toward the music biz and utilize my creative gifts to reach out to the broad listening public on various platforms.”
It’s time for IZ IN THE MUSIC BIZ again with music that charms the soul!”
Iz Charles is CEO of IzLiveMuzik Publishing where he writes and produces music for film and television productions. He has inked non-exclusive publishing deals for his catalog with Viacom, Scorekeepers Music, and 411 Music.
He and his wife of 25 years reside in Lauderhill, Florida and attend New Mount Olive Baptist Church. He is a member of Omega Psi Fraternity Inc., Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity and he is a 32nd Degree Master Mason.
All Music Composed, Arranged, Recorded & Mixed by izzyiz! – © 2021 IzLiveMuzik (BMI)