Justin Kauflin is a “jazz pianist who favors a clarity of touch and ideas...his writing is balanced tempering post-bop intricacies with the assurances of the gospel church” -New York Times. After losing his sight at the age of 11, Kauflin gravitated towards playing jazz piano, despite having a background in classical violin & piano. He began performing jazz professionally by age 14, most notably with the Jae Sinnett Trio.  In 2004, he attended William Paterson University, NJ and studied with his heroes, Mulgrew Miller and Harold Mabern.  Justin was also taken under the tutelage of the legendary Clark Terry (2010 Grammy award winner for Lifetime Achievement in Jazz) and performed in the Clark Terry Ensemble.

 

Kauflin scored, and is featured in, the award-winning documentary Keep On Keepin' On, as well as scoring 2 additional full-length documentaries, commercials and trailers.  He has produced 10 recordings as leader, and collaborated on an additional 29 albums as sideman.  He has been on faculty/adjudicator for the Monterey Jazz Festival, Centrum Port Townsend Jazz, Vail Jazz Workshop, Lionel Hampton Jazz and Notre Dame Jazz with John Clayton and Jazz Maui with Katie Thiroux.  He and the team of Keep On Keepin' On continue Clark Terry's passion for jazz education with the Jazz Outreach.  As a U.S. Department of State Jazz Ambassador, Justin and his Trio give workshops and concerts around the world.

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Currently, Justin is creating new sounds, composing for film & music projects, and serving as an adjunct faculty member at the Governor's School for the Arts in Norfolk, VA (Instrumental Music).  

 

Justin Kauflin is signed for management by impresario and music icon, Quincy Jones and is a Yamaha Artist.