The Longmont All Star Jazz Band was started in the summer of 2001. It was a longtime dream of Bill Wilkinson to start a high school jazz band that would play at community and private events. The All Star Jazz Band is comprised of students from the Longmont area high schools. Students must audition to be in the All Stars and only the top students on each instrument are selected. The All Stars rehearse twice a month and perform about fifteen times per year.

Some of the major performances includes:

• Performing several times at Dazzle Night Club in Denver, CO
• Performing on stage with the Lawrence Welk Band in Branson, Missouri
• Performing for the Olympic Torch Ceremony in 2002

The All Stars have recorded 6 CDs. They have recorded at Ocean Way in Nashville, The Sound Kitchen in Nashville, Martin Sound in Los Angles, RCA Victor Recording Studio in Nashville, Blue Rock Recording Studio in Austin and Mighty Fine Productions in Denver.

AUDITIONS

Auditions will be held Monday February 26, 2024 from 5:00 to 6:00 in the evening at
Rocky Mountain Christian Academy
9447 Niwot Rd,
Niwot, Colorado  80503

Many performance, travel and recording opportunities.  You must be a member of your school music program.

Rehearsals are Mondays from 6:00 – 8:00 PM.  Piano, Drum set and Guitar Amp provided

MEET THE DIRECTOR

Bill Wilkinson was born at an early age in Granite City, Illinois on February 16, 1949. He is the youngest of eight children. He graduated from Collinsville High School in Collinsville, Illinois in 1967. In 1974 he received a bachelor of music education from John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. He graduated Lawdy how come. At least that is what the John Brown Music professors said when he walked on stage to pick up his degree. While at JBU he had a full scholarship on trumpet performance. While in college he traveled with a group called The Sound Generation (All the good names were taken at the time). While in The Sound Generation he performed with Pat Boone, Roy Clark, Lionel Hampton, Andre Crouch, Florence Henderson and many others. The “Sounds” also performed for President Nixon in 1970. Mr. Wilkinson taught high school band in public schools for 32 years. (Two years in Albin, Wyoming and thirty years in the Longmont school district.). He currently teaches at Rocky Mountain Christian Academy.

His bands have received many awards and recognitions over the years. His high school bands were selected to perform at The Colorado Music Educators Convention 5 times. The CMEA Convention is held at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado in January each year. Mr. Wilkinson was selected to direct The Colorado High School All State Jazz Band in 1988. He started the Skyline Jazz Festival in 1979 and the Festival is still going strong with 70 bands each year. His marching bands were invited to march at Bronco Football games 2 times.

Mr. Wilkinson married his college sweetheart, Beth, in 1971. They have 3 beautiful children, Summer, Megan and Seth, and 3 beautiful grandchildren Madeline, Emma and Jackson. (No ugly ones)

LISTEN

EVENTS