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Justin Kauflin

Justin Kauflin is an award-winning American jazz pianist, composer, producer, educator and Quincy Jones Artist. He performs worldwide, has recorded on 31 albums, composed the film score for the critically acclaimed documentary Keep On Keepin On, published 51 original compositions, produced 4 albums as leader and is on faculty for several jazz camps.

Born March 10, 1986 in Silver Spring, MD, Justin began music at age 4 with Suzuki violin. After a decade of classical violin and piano, he switched to jazz piano in high school at the Governor's School for Performing Arts (VA) studying with Liz Barnes and Old Dominion University's John Toomey. He attended the Vail Jazz Workshop (CO), Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead Residency (DC) and received top honors in jazz festivals across the U.S. He began performing jazz professionally at age 15, most notably with the Jae Sinnett Trio.

In 2004, Justin attended William Paterson University (NJ) where he was taken under the wings of legendary trumpeter, Clark Terry and became a member of the Clark Terry Ensemble. He also had the privilege of learning from his heroes, Mulgrew Miller and Harold Mabern. He graduated summa cum laude, moved to NYC and at age 23 produced, led, composed and performed on his debut CD, Introducing Justin Kauflin.

In 2012, he served as House Pianist at Havana Nights Jazz Club (VA) where his trio headlined regularly. In that year, he won the VSA International Young Soloist Award, was voted VEER's Jazz Artist of the Year and was selected as semifinalist in the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition.

During this time, Justin's relationship with mentor Clark Terry was being chronicled by friend and fellow musician, Al Hicks. Five years in the making, the resultant documentary, Keep On Keepin' On, won numerous awards and made the Oscar's Short List. Justin composed the film score and was subsequently signed for management by legendary producer and music icon, Quincy Jones, who also oversaw Justin's second and fourth full-length albums, Dedication (2015) and Coming Home (2018), the latter produced by Derrick Hodge. Dedication debuted at #6 on CMJ Jazz chart, #10 on Billboard's Traditional Jazz Chart, hit #1 on JazzWeek's chart and remained in the top 10 spot for 9 straight weeks. Justin went on to record on 10 more albums, 3 of which he produced as leader, and brought the film/workshops & performances around the world.

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In Pictures

Justin Kauflin and Thomas Fonnesbaek at the Governor's School for the Arts

Read "Justin Kauflin and Thomas Fonnesbaek at the Governor's School for the Arts" reviewed by Mark Robbins


At a young age Justin Kauflin's musical interest was in classical violin and piano but upon becoming totally blind by age 11 (he was born with a condition called proliferative exudative retinopathy) Kauflin switched his interest to jazz piano. Growing up in Virginia Beach, Va Kauflin was lucky enough to have two outstanding teachers in Liz Barnes of the Governor's School for the Arts and renowned pianist John Toomey of Old Dominion University. By the age of 14 he was ...

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Album Review

Brian McCarthy Nonet: After|Life

Read "After|Life" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


Saxophonist Brian McCarthy, not one to shy away from a big theme, draws inspiration from the creation of the universe to craft After|Life Science says we are all stardust, compiled ultimately in all its complexities via gravity. Given that, he opens this expansive octet offering with “Nebula," referring to cosmic gasses consisting of hydrogen and deep space dust that--given gravity's propensities--coalesce into stars and solar systems consisting of planets with water, landforms and eventually us. Or something ...

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Album Review

Justin Kauflin Trio: Live at Sam First

Read "Live at Sam First" reviewed by Jim Worsley


New world modernization meets old world ideals at Sam First jazz club in Los Angeles. In just a few short years Sam First has built a solid reputation with both jazz artists and aficionados. Among its many qualities are the acoustics. In 2019, Peter Erskine, George Garzone, Alan Pasqua, and Darek Oles recorded their brilliant 3 Nights in L.A. at Sam First. At that point it was clear they had something special going on at Sam First. Starting up Sam ...

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Album Review

Left of Center: Crossing the Water

Read "Crossing the Water" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello


Whether the title of this album, the performing group's name, or its leader's surname have additional meaning is positively irrelevant because this performance is a winner. It is a bassist-led trio album offering engaging sonic textures which spin and entice throughout. The title cut sends things into up-tempo action with Justin Kauflin's keyboard sounding the call. Highly rhythmic and intense, the energies build as the trio exhibits a superb interplay of ideas. “Lorac Waltz" gives us a ...

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Album Review

Fonnesbaek & Kauflin: Synesthesia

Read "Synesthesia" reviewed by Chris Mosey


Young US pianist Justin Kauflin and Danish bassist Thomas Fonnesbaek share the neurological condition known as synesthesia, in which the senses become mixed. For the two musicians, this means experiencing sounds as colors with their minds' eyes. They met in jny: Copenhagen for the first time in 2015. Fonnesbaek recalls, “Besides being a meeting between Justin and myself, it was a meeting of cultures with many similarities and many inspiring differences that we could express through sound ...

Album Review

Justin Kauflin: Dedication

Read "Dedication" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi


Al debutto autoprodotto di quattro anni fa (Introducing Justin Kauflin) il pianista di Silver Spring fa seguire un nuovo album con poche variazioni stilistiche e d'organico. Ritroviamo il fresco ed elegante modern mainstream eseguito in piano trio e in quartetto con chitarra. Fanno il loro ingresso nuovi partner accanto ai consueti Billy Williams alla batteria ed Etan Haziza alla chitarra acustica (presente in un solo brano). In questi quattro anni la carriera professionale di Justin ha registato un'importante ...

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Interview

Justin Kauflin: Humble Beginnings

Read "Justin Kauflin: Humble Beginnings" reviewed by Marshall Taylor


The beauty of music lies in its subliminal spirituality. Religious or not, few can argue the effects of music on the human emotions and how it impacts our perception of things beyond what is skin-deep. For 24 year-old Justin Kauflin, a New York-based pianist notable for his work with Jae Sinnett, and for his freshman release of Introducing Justin Kauflin (Self Produced, 2010), the interconnection of music and faith is not only a sure conversation-starter, but also ...

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Interview

Justin Kauflin: Blind VA Beach Pianist Jazzed to Be Competing in DC

Justin Kauflin: Blind VA Beach Pianist Jazzed to Be Competing in DC

Source: Phyllis Kauflin

Virginia Beach-reared Justin Kauflin strolled onto the stage for the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition on Sunday with a grin on his face and his guide dog, Candy, at his side. After settling in at the keyboards, and settling his black Labrador onto the floor beside him, he proceeded to play for a chance at $25,000 and a one-year record deal. His set greatly impressed a former teacher. He was not, however, named a finalist by the judges, who ...

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Event

Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz Selects 12 Semifinalists

Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz Selects 12 Semifinalists

Source: Phyllis Kauflin

The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz has selected 12 semifinalists to compete in the 2011 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition. These semifinalists will perform for a panel of esteemed judges including Herbie Hancock, Ellis Marsalis, Jason Moran, Danilo Perez and Renee Rosnes on Sunday, September 11 from 1pm to 5pm at Baird Auditorium, located at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History sponsored by Cadillac. Admission is free on a first-come, first-serve basis. The semifinalists are: Kris Bowers, ...

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Interview

Pianist Justin Kauflin Interviewed at All About Jazz

Pianist Justin Kauflin Interviewed at All About Jazz

Source: John Kelman

The beauty of music lies in its subliminal spirituality. Religious or not, few can argue the effects of music on the human emotions and how it impacts our perception of things beyond what is skin-deep. For 24 year-old Justin Kauflin, a New York-based pianist notable for his work with Jae Sinnett, and for his freshman release of Introducing Justin Kauflin (Self Produced, 2010), the interconnection of music and faith is not only a sure conversation-starter, but also a great indicator ...

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Contest

Enter the "Justin Kauflin - Introducing Justin Kauflin" Giveaway Contest

Enter the "Justin Kauflin - Introducing Justin Kauflin" Giveaway Contest

Source: All About Jazz

All About Jazz members are invited to enter the “Justin Kauflin—Introducing Justin Kauflin“ giveaway contest starting today. We'll select FIVE winners at the conclusion of the contest on November 29th.Click here to enter the contest (Following Justin Kauflin at AAJ automatically enters you in the contest.) Good luck! About Justin Kauflin His Music At the piano, Justin Kauflin has an improvisational zeal matched by a technique that is equal parts lyrical and emotional. His sound can be best described as ...

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Interview

Justin Kauflin's Transcendent Vision

Justin Kauflin's Transcendent Vision

Source: Michael Ricci

Justin Kauflin's debut CD is a testament to his remarkable artistry, wisdom and faith By Tom Robotham Eight years ago, I attended a concert featuring the Governor's School Jazz Band under the direction of Jae Sinnett. I knew I was in for an enjoyable evening; over the preceding decade, I'd seen at least a dozen performances by students in the Governor's School's music, theater and dance departments, not to mention exhibitions by ...

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Recording

CD Review: "Introducing Justin Kauflin"

CD Review: "Introducing Justin Kauflin"

Source: Michael Ricci

By Joe Lang, Jersey Jazz, May 2010 Pianist and William Paterson University graduate Justin Kauflin has, with Introducing Justin Kauflin (JKC - 001), immediately established himself as a stellar jazz player, composer and leader. It is rare for a young musician to produce an album that displays the kind of musical maturity that is in evidence here. His cohorts, Tim Green on alto sax, Etan Haziza on guitar, Phil Kuehn on bass and Billy Williams on ...

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Recording

Richmond VA News - Review of "Introducing Justin Kauflin" CD

Richmond VA News - Review of "Introducing Justin Kauflin" CD

Source: Michael Ricci

By Dean Christesen If the album as a whole is pianist Justin Kauflin's introduction, then track one is the first impression. On drummer Billy Williams's composition “The Covenant," Kauflin's personality comes out right away: unpretentious, creative, and assertive with a fluidity that makes the tune's 5/4 time feel as natural as ever. This release marks the Virginia Beach native's debut as a leader, and along with his remarkable abilities on his instrument, it's his and his bandmates' young ages that ...

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Recording

Virginian Pilot Review of "Introducing Justin Kauflin"

Virginian Pilot Review of "Introducing Justin Kauflin"

Source: Michael Ricci

By Marvin Leon Lake, Virginian-Pilot Musically speaking, 20-something jazz pianist Justin Kauflin is an old soul. Talented beyond his years, the blind wunderkind has been channeling the muses of established jazz artists as well as his personal ones for some time. Now Kauflin, a graduate of Salem High School in Virginia Beach who has amazed audiences in Hampton Roads and elsewhere, has released his first CD. It's a fine showcase of Kauflin's impressive musicianship in a variety of styles, and ...

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Recording

Blind Ambition

Blind Ambition

Source: Michael Ricci

Virginia Beach Native, Justin Kauflin, will release his debut jazz CD, Introducing Justin Kauflin, on February 16. Kauflin, on piano, is accompanied by a young and inventive band of “20-somethings": Billy Williams (VA) on drums, Phil Kuehn (NY) on bass, Tim Green (MD) on alto sax and Etan Haziza (NY) on guitar. Kauflin handpicked a wide range of musical selections ranging from traditional hymns to modern jazz, as well as a few of his own original compositions, including his arrangement ...

"What gives the American pianist Justin Kauflin another edge over his rivals is the soulfulness of his repertoire... this is a musician who wants to do more than make you admire his virtuosity" -The Times review of Justin Kauflin Trio at Ronnie Scotts, London

"His compositions radiate an honesty and passion that are only shadowed by his spirit...Humble as he may be, dude can play" - Paul Nassar, Revive Magazine

"His playing is not just precise technically but absolutely crystalline in execution, and he holds nothing back intellectually..." -Jazz in Europe review of "Synesthesia"

"Definitely one of the best piano trio albums around this year...Revelling in writing highly involving tunes whether anthemic (B-Dub) or tuggingly heartfelt (No Matter)...or the ability to be SO natural on For Clark, dedicated to mentor Clark Terry." -Stephen Graham, Marlbank

"...rich in dynamic detail and showed off his cogent mix influences that ranged from buoyant swing to elongated Jarrett-esque lines, the odd hip hop nod to Robert Glasper, Bill Evans was in there too...Kauflin is clearly in possession of a vast reserve of free flowing musicianship" -Jazzwise

"Kauflin's dozen originals sparkle consistently with the sounds of exhilaration and religious devotion

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producer

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Concerts

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

After|Life

Truth Revolution Recording Collective
2023

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Live at Sam First

Sam First Records
2022

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Crossing the Water

Self Produced
2020

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Christmas Candy EP

Justin Kauflin Music
2019

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Synesthesia

Storyville Records
2018

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Coming Home

Justin Kauflin Music
2018

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Nebula

From: After|Life
By Justin Kauflin

Wistful Gaze

From: Crossing the Water
By Justin Kauflin

Lost

From: Coming Home
By Justin Kauflin

Exodus

From: Introducing Justin Kauflin
By Justin Kauflin

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