BIOGRAPHY 

Gavin Templeton is a Los Angeles-based multi-instrumentalist, composer, and recording artist whose cinematic and motivic musical voice has made him a sought-after figure across the worlds of film scoring, contemporary composition, and improvisational performance. His work has earned acclaim from DownBeat for its “assured yet adventurous voice” and from the Los Angeles Times for capturing “another alluring vision of the ever-evolving sound of L.A.”

As a composer for film, Gavin has scored a wide range of narrative, documentary, and animated projects, including features selected for prestigious film festivals such as HotDocs, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, and Sedona International Film Festival. His music for the award-winning documentary The Block earned a Septimius Award nomination for Best Soundtrack, among other accolades. Recent credits include scores for In the Red, The Apology, and Four for Fun, as well as original music for short films, podcast themes, gallery installations, and contemporary dance.

An accomplished saxophonist and woodwind performer, Gavin has recorded and performed with a diverse roster of artists, including film legend John Williams, Grammy-winning trumpeter John Daversa, experimental jazz figurehead Vinny Golia, and Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists, Nels Cline. He has appeared as a featured soloist at major music festivals such as the Monterey Jazz Festival, Angel City Jazz Festival, and Ballard Jazz Festival, and has participated in the premieres of numerous classical and chamber works, including the US premiere of Gavin Bryars' Marilyn Forever and Jacob TV’s The News. As a session musician, his woodwind performances can be heard on soundtracks for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Aquaman: King of Atlantis, Fargo, American Gods, among others.

Gavin has released multiple critically acclaimed albums of original work, including Ballast , Some Spinning, Some at Rest, and In Series, which received “Best of the Year” recognition from All About Jazz, DownBeat, and Something Else Reviews. His commitment to new music and collaborative exploration extends to experimental ensembles like Dr. Mint, as well as interdisciplinary projects with visual artist Eron Rauch, and dance choreographer Jackie Kopcsak. In addition to his creative work, Gavin is a dedicated educator and mentor. He serves as adjunct faculty at Pasadena City College and teaches private students from his Los Angeles studio.