JUSTIN       KAUFLIN

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.

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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.

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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.

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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 promoted the film with Q&A sessions at theater openings as well as appear on the Today Show and Queen Latifah Show.  He was subsequently signed for management by legendary producer and music icon, Quincy Jones, who oversaw Justin's second and fourth full-length albums.  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 has since recorded 5 more albums as leader: Standards (2020), co-produced with Thomas Fonnesbaek, Christmas Candy (2019) titled for his retired Seeing Eye dog, Coming Home  (2018)  produced by Derrick Hodge, Synesthesia (2017) co-produced with Thomas Fonnesbaek, Silent Night (2017) a solo piano Christmas album featuring Jacob Collier on the title track.  Justin appears on 25 albums as sideman or guest artist and has recorded 48 original compositions on albums and film (documentaries and promo videos).

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The Justin Kauflin Trio toured extensively in Europe from 2015-2019.  In addition to performances, they have been giving Jazz clinics and camps stateside and internationally as U.S. State Department Envoy.

2020’s Covid-19 pandemic gave birth to virtual jazz concerts & camps, and to his “Quarantine Series,” which are solo piano recordings of improvised meditations, standards, covers, soundtracks, and hymns. As an avid user of Native Instrument’s Komplete Kontrol (recently accessible to blind producers) and owner of a vast library of VSTs (virtual instruments), Justin is recording side-by-side comparisons in his “Piano Shootouts,” and collaborating with other users in “JK’s Playground.” As the pandemic worsened, he began livestreaming a musical prayer hour, “Sunday Hymns & Things” and “feature” concerts with “JK’s Wednesday Nite Hang.” In December, he added an additional night for a “Christmas Hang.” Two special livestreams include his tribute to Clark Terry on what would have been his 100th birthday “Clark Terry’s Centennial Celebration” and “JK’s Marathon Christmas Day Hang.”

Currently, he is scoring music for a couple new projects and has resumed his Sunday livestreams.

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Justin Kauflin is a Yamaha Artist and Quincy Jones Artist