TEMECULA - Whether teaching about it, talking about it - or simply performing it - Jon Laskin's life is all about music, and he is taking that passion and creating a legacy in the area, an effort that continues to grow and expand over the years.

"I was always into music," said Laskin, 45. "It just captivated me."

Laskin grew up in Chicago and western Canada - studying under the likes of Rick Kilburn, Tom Hazlitt, Chubby Jackson and Rene Worst - learning to play stand-up bass and electric bass guitar from some of the best.

During the 1980s, Laskin made a living playing countless gigs as he honed his craft. But locally he is known for what he has done over the last 16 years, which has been to forward music and the love of it into every corner of Temecula Valley.

That journey began by creating jam sessions at local venues in the early 1990s, such as Shakespeare's at the Murrieta Hot Springs Resort or the Fish Exchange when they were still open. And he started his own group, The Jon Laskin band, which continues to perform.

Ten years ago, he created the Musician's Workshop, a nonprofit performing arts organization dedicated to helping young people develop their musical talents.

He also founded the annual Temecula Valley International Jazz Festival in 2004 and the In-Home Concert Series in 2003. The latter brings world-class musical talent into local homes for intimate concerts.

His busy schedule also includes several private gigs with his band, from weddings to corporate events. He is often found performing at area fundraisers or at Pechanga Resort & Casino, some of the only types of free public performances his band does now.

Over the years, he has served on the board of directors for the Arts Council of Temecula Valley, played many times at the gala for the Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival, and was even nominated as citizen of the year by the Temecula Chamber of Commerce in 1998.

Laskin has been a board member and music director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest County's annual fundraiser, "Our Kids Rock."

"He has given so much to this community, brought so much music to this town," said Terese Evans, a Murrieta resident who often sings with Laskin's band. "Jon has given an awesome chance for kids to perform through the Musician's Workshop."

The group offers more than 15 after-school programs, along with children's performing arts and music programs, and serves more than 1,000 students each year. Programs range from strings, chorus, voice, jazz band, hip-hop, blues, keyboard, acting and musical theater, as well as private lessons.

An Old Town Temecula building once housed the workshop, and Laskin rented it from the city for $1 per year. But it was demolished recently to make way for a parking structure.

Laskin is on a crusade to rebuild bigger and better. He is in the process of raising $130,000 to that end.

'Music is his life'

Students who have worked under Laskin say they are better performers because of it.

"He always encouraged us to constantly live our dreams," said 19-year-old Nichole Lohre, a former student. "A lot of people won't have you perform until your craft is perfected, but he is of the opinion that the more you get up on stage, the more you'll be encouraged to improve your craft. He got me up on stage before I was really confident and it helped me improve."

Laskin said he thoroughly enjoys teaching, and that learning from professional musicians like he did can make a big difference for some students.

"As sarcastic or cynical as it sounds, when you are studying with most music teachers, you are studying with someone who didn't make it," he said. "It's a good start, but the fact that I studied with a professional is why I made it."

Jane Laskin, Jon's wife and the mother of his two children, said he wouldn't be happy doing anything else.

"Music is his life," she said. "When I married Jon, we kind of made a joke about it. It's me, Jon and the bass - his first love."

Watching Laskin perform is like watching a kid in a candy shop. His green eyes light up, his ever-present smile stretches even further. He hops, he claps and he plucks the strings of his bass with fervor.

The energy he displays on stage is akin to what he exudes off it. He is known among friends as a high-energy, enthusiastic kind of guy.

"He's always smiling," Evans said. "He never stops smiling."

Laskin is the only constant in his band. He said he hires "the best of the best" to morph his band into whatever the gig requires, be that rhythm and blues, jazz or rock 'n' roll. He has a long list of professional musicians he calls to make that system work.

"What I do as a band leader is put together a versatile group of musicians," he said. "We don't rehearse. These guys tour with the pros, and when they aren't, they're with me."

Laskin said it's a great setup.

"The most fun that I have is not playing the exact 40 songs with the same four people every night, every gig," he said. "That is boring. But doing all the variety of music with a variety of quality musicians, this is the most fun I have ever had."