JUSTIN KAUFLIN TRIO

LIVE AT SAM FIRST

"As both a Quincy Jones Artist and a Yamaha artist, Justin is now also a Sam First Records recording artist! Justin’s first ever live recording showcases his love of be-bop, blues and gospel music, performed from the perspective of the modern jazz piano trio."

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DANISH RAIN

"Warm and evocative duets between bassist Thomas Fonnesbaek and pianist Justin Kauflin were recorded in a couple days back in March of 2022. Kauflin must have taken his Bill Evans pills those mornings, as he has that classic romantic and introspective touch throughout ... Fonnesbaek produces a rich melody for his own “Danish Rain”and is bluesy around the striding ivories to Herbie Hancock’s “Driftin.” The two have fun bopping through “Country Fried and swing with delight on “Cake Walk.” Simple and delicious ingredients, with no sugars or fillers." - Jazz Weekly

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COMING HOME

"...Unsurprisingly, this results in a kind of transmogrification of mind into music. In other words, by his sheer genius, the colour and texture that he “sees” is poured out into melody and harmony that dances around each other as if impelled by an invisible, interminable rhythm. Bassist Chris Smith, drummer Corey Fonville and guitarist Alan Parker play with extraordinary empathy; the soli are eloquent and virtuosic, and each musician is fully attuned to the pianist’s vision and artistry. Meanwhile Mr Kauflin wishes to – and succeeds in – opening our minds to his world that is “extremely colourful and textured.” And we ought to consider it a privilege to be admitted into this place" -Jazz da Gama

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OSCAR, WITH LOVE

Oscar, With Love showcases Oscar Peterson as a composer and includes the world première of several pieces he wrote, but never recorded. The compositions were retrieved from Peterson’s library for the project. Most of the music on the recording was written by Peterson, or for him, by some of his closest musical friends, and performed on his personal Bosendorfer grand piano - Mack Avenue

Featured Artists: Monty Alexander, Lance Anderson, Kenny Barron, Robi Botos, Bill Charlap, Gerald Clayton, Chick Corea, Benny Green, Hiromi, Oliver Jones, Justin Kauflin, Michel Legrand, Ramsey Lewis, Audrey Morris, Makoto Ozone, Renee Rosnes, Dave Young.

FLOW FREELY

"Jacob offered me the opportunity to provide the musical score for this very warm and important film called “Reflection - A Walk with Water.” On top of that, we got to collaborate on the score and the end credit theme. Thanks to Jacob’s wizardry, it is the song it is..." -JK

Jacob Collier (composition, keys, vocals)

Justin Kauflin (piano, keys)

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SYNESTHESIA

"Fonnesbaek is lyrical, inventive, and percussive all at the same time... and he has absolutely no fear. And his partner, pianist Justin Kauflin, goes wherever Fonnesbæk or his own muse leads him. His playing is not just precise technically but absolutely crystalline in execution, and he holds nothing back intellectually. Rather than show off ... he is more concerned with creating musical structures. In his own composition Lost, he is not above tossing in a quote from the Beatles’ Eleanor Rigby, but only if it fits... He does not cite others’ work unless it has a structural function.... simply extraordinary album, one you’ll listen to again and again." -Jazz in Europe

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STANDARDS

"...Kauflin would seem to have transferred much of that early discipline to his limpid, lively – yet, once again, thoughtful – pianism, delivered here with both an unerringly classy touch and a correspondingly elegant quality of line. While there is much further swinging rhythm to relish, the overall ethos is one of thoughtful lyricism, underpinned by a pleasingly refreshed and unforced harmonic literacy. Grown-up music for body and soul, heart and mind...I’m surely not the only listener who would welcome a whole lot more of their special chemistry being captured on record." -Jazz Journal

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COMING HOME

#1 on JAZZ WEEK (top 10 for 9 straight weeks)

ALL songs are original compositions by Justin Kauflin

“Kauflin develops a voice all his own. It is a voice that is mature, distinct and confident” - DownBeat Editor’s Picks

"Kauflin favors a clarity of touch and ideas …His writing is also balanced, tempering post-bop intricacies with the assurances of the gospel church” Nate Chinen, New York Times

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SILENT NIGHT

"Sometimes, life takes unexpected turns, & we find ourselves in painful situations that we never could have prepared ourselves for. ...However, I truly believe that with the right attitude, the very thing that was supposed to destroy you can become the very thing that makes you. For me, it was multiple aneurysms that forced me stop & focus on what's truly important in life...For my dear brother Justin Kauflin, it was losing his sight that forced him to stop, rely on his relationship with God, & pursue a life creating music that would inspire others. I'm SO proud of Justin for creating this absolutely stunning Christmas album as a representation of his journey to find peace ... I also always love to see our artists collaborating with each other, so it makes my soul smile to hear Jacob Collier featured on the title track, "Silent Night"...I hope that during this holiday season, you can try to find purpose in your pain & use it as fuel to encourage those around you...So, thank you Justin for gifting us with your music & encouraging us to Keep On Keepin' On!" - Quincy Jones

JUSTIN KAUFLIN

LIVE AT THE EDYE BROAD STAGE

Exclusive solo performance (EP) at the EDYE Broad Stage.

1. The Up and Up

2. Carousel

3. Mom's Song

4. For Clark/Serenade to a Bus Seat

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CHRISTMAS CANDY

"As this is my first Christmas away from Candy girl who is living full-time with my parents in VA, I wanted to dedicate this to her. It's a few Christmas Classics in the solo piano format, but the thing I’m most proud of is the artwork so wonderfully done by my Goddaughter, Zoe (at age 5)!" -JK

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INTRODUCING

JUSTIN KAUFLIN

Debut Album, self-produced

“With Introducing, Kauflin has immediately established himself as a stellar jazz player, composer, leader and producer. It is rare for a young musician to produce an album that displays the kind of maturity in evidence here. He has a touch and imagination that is immensely appealing" - Jersey Jazz

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DOCUMENTARIES THAT INSPIRE, MOTIVATE AND RAISE AWARENESS

Justin Kauflin has composed original soundtracks for several impactful films, including "My Sister Liv," "Keep On Keepin' On," and "Reflection - A Walk with Water," and collaborated with Emmy-nominated film scorer Mark Crawford on Heliskiing in "Full Circle." He also collaborated with Music Director and multi-Grammy winner Jacob Collier on Flow Freely, the theme song for "Reflection." Kauflin's music brings a profound emotional dimension to these films, which address important topics such as adolescent mental health and suicide prevention, mentorship, environmental conservation, and redemption following a catastrophic injury.