HOW IT STARTED
Bill Wilkinson
The Longmont All Star Jazz Band (LASJB) was established in 2001 under the guidance of the esteemed band director, Bill Wilkinson. Wilkinson’s vision was to create a substantial jazz ensemble that would provide students with a professional-level musical experience while simultaneously fostering their active participation and musical excellence within their community. After a distinguished five-decade career in music education in northern Colorado, Wilkinson passed away in 2024, leaving a profound void in the music community. However, his legacy continues to inspire under the co-direction of Doug Carmichael and Gavin Worland.
Over the past 24 years, the All-Stars have performed at a variety of venues and festivals, including Dazzle, Nissi’s, the Dickens Opera House, Oskar Blues, the Longmont Jazz Festival, and numerous other esteemed events. Their discography comprises six full-length studio albums, showcasing their ability to play lively music at an exceptionally high level. These albums were recorded at renowned studios such as RCA Victor Studios, The Sound Kitchen, and Ocean Way Studios in Nashville, TN; Martin Sound in Los Angeles, CA; Mighty Fine Productions and Colorado Sound Studios in Denver, CO.
CURRENT
Gavin Worland is a trumpeter, composer, arranger, educator, bandleader, and producer based out of Denver, CO. As a performer, Gavin has traveled the world playing on stages as big as Carnegie Hall, Boetcher Concert Hall, and The Newman Center to some of the top venues in his home state of Colorado such as Dazzle, the Mercury Cafe, and the Roots Music Project. Gavin takes immense pride in his versatility as a musician playing everything from Basie and Bach, to Mariachi and Mahler. He has been honored to share the stage with folks such as Greg Gisbert, Stafford Hunter, Gabriel Santiago, and Zach Rich among many more.
One aspect of Gavin’s musical skill that is highly sought after is his composing, arranging, and engraving skills. As an Avid Sibelius user, Gavin has asserted himself as a top music engraver and has had his music performed by ensembles such as the Lamont Jazz Orchestra.
Drawing from his bandleader skills, Gavin is currently serving as the Executive and Musical Director for the Longmont All-Stars Jazz Band. After the passing of the first director (Bill Wilkinson), Gavin has transformed the ensemble into a 501(c)3 non-profit organization while keeping the values the same. As a former student of the All-Stars, he is dedicated to preserving the “Mr. Bill” charm that the band has had for the past 25 years with all the classic tunes while continuing to deliver an accessible, high-quality, professional experience for high schoolers in the St. Vrain Valley School District area.
Currently, Gavin is finishing his education at the Lamont School of Music at The University of Denver with a Master’s in Jazz Trumpet Performance before going on to pursue potential doctoral program fits for him while he continues to perform and compose for ensembles such as the Longmont Concert Band, the Denver Rock Orchestra, and all while teaching privately. In his free time, Gavin enjoys trying local craft beers, learning new instruments, and cheering for his favorite sports teams.
GAVIN WORLAND
