Musician Bio
"Simply beautiful Cat. You can feel it in every note he plays"
QUINCY JONES
"A truly unique artist and sonic storyteller"
DERRICK HODGE
"His spirit and spirituality shine through his playing"
MULGREW MILLER
"He's a monster on the piano! And, one of the greatest people I know"
CLARK TERRY
Justin Kauflin is an award-winning jazz pianist who "favors a clarity of touch and ideas. His writing is balanced, tempering post-bop ideas with the assurances of the gospel church" -NY Times. As leader, player, composer, and producer, he has released 10 recordings and collaborated on over 40 projects across music and film.
For a decade, he toured and worked under Quincy Jones and Quincy Jones Productions, performing across 25+ countries, and collaborating with 'Q' on 2 albums, Dedication and Coming Home.
After losing his sight at age 11, he has promoted technological accessibility for visually impaired musicians and producers.
In 2015, Justin performed on Oscar Peterson's personal Bösendorfer for Oscar, with Love, alongside 16 elite pianists. During the pandemic, he pivoted to sound design and film scoring, creating original music for documentaries including Reflection: A Walk with Water and My Sister Liv; Nespresso ads and trailer music for 12 Notes on Life and Creativity by Quincy Jones. In 2024, he released his first vinyl live recording, Justin Kauflin Trio Live at Sam First, and his third duo album, Danish Rain, with Thomas Fonnesbaek.
Since 2021, he has been on faculty at the Governor's School for the Arts in Norfolk, Virginia, where he also produces GSA Jazz Night concerts. He also serves as a Jazz Ambassador for the U.S. State Department and is a Yamaha Artist.
PERFORMED / RECORDED WITH
Duo Pianos
John Toomey Jeremy Siskind Gerald Clayton Alfredo Rodriguez Robi Botos
Saxophonists
Ken Peplowski Steve Wilson Brian McCarthy James Gates Jeff Smith Roxy Coss Tim Green Stantawn Kendrick
Vocalists
Sheila Jordan Rene Martin Jacob Collier Katie Thiroux Liz Brydge Christie Dashiell Paul Marinaro Sahra Da Silva
Bassists
Thomas Fonnesbaek Derrick Hodge Dave Robaire Chris Smith Evan Gregor Phil Kuehn Michael Hawkins Mike Downes Rob Duguay Jimmy Masters Matt Hall Chris Funn Chris Brydge
Drummers
Corey Fonville Billy Williams Mark Ferber Christian Euman Jimmy MacBride Cornelia Nilsson Jim Doxas Evan Sherman Al Hicks Nadav Snir-Zelnicker
Guitarists
Chico Pinheiro Alan Parker Matt Stevens Etan Haziza Ulf Wakenius
Ensembles
Clark Terry 5tet Clayton Brothers 5tet Katie Thiroux Trio Brian McCarthy 9et Jae Sinnett Trio Songevity
Legends
Quincy Jones Clark Terry Mulgrew Miller Oscar Peterson Sheila Jordan
Teaching & Outreach
"Your sound is you and what you really feel inside" CLARK TERRY
JAZZ AMBASSADOR & GLOBAL EDUCATION
As a U.S. Department of State Jazz Ambassador, Justin shared jazz education and cultural exchange globally, performing and conducting workshops in places like Tbilisi, Georgia, and Riga, Latvia. He studied under Clark Terry at William Paterson University, who was mentored by Quincy Jones, who later managed Justin. Committed to mentorship, Justin offers clinics and master classes for students and hosts screenings of the acclaimed documentary "Keep On Keepin' On," highlights his friendship with Clark Terry.
TEACHING at the GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL for the ARTS
In 2021, Justin returned to the Governor's School for the Arts in Norfolk, Virginia, now as a faculty member. He mentors aspiring jazz musicians, using insights from Clark Terry, Mulgrew Miller, and Quincy Jones, and founded GSA Jazz Nights, a free concert series featuring top regional jazz talent for students and community.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
Justin's approach is built on these core principles:
DISCIPLINED CRAFT: Technique training boosts creativity;
AUTHENTIC VOICE: Skills should enable personal expression and unique storytelling;
RESILIENCE: Losing my sight at 11 taught me to view challenges as growth opportunities.
CLINIC TESTIMONIALS
"They made our band room seem like the center of the jazz universe" -VCU JAZZ
"Justin is a natural teacher - with his honesty, sensitivity, temperament and ability to inspire." -GSA JAZZ
"An artist like Justin, who is only a few years older than the students - has a particular resonance" -TRINITY EPISCOPAL IB MUSIC
SCHEDULING
For inquiries about screenings, clinics, or residencies email Justin directly
Awareness & Advocacy
"Being blind is only a part of who we are. It should never be something that defines us" -jk
Justin lost his sight at age eleven and navigated his education using Braille scores and assistive technology — resources that opened doors for him as both a performer and composer. He went on to graduate summa cum laude, tour with Quincy Jones, and score a documentary shortlisted for an Oscar. He is a recipient of the Kennedy Center Access/VSA International Young Soloist Award, recognizing both his musical excellence and his advocacy for musicians with disabilities.
Justin actively promotes technological accessibility for blind and visually impaired musicians and producers, demonstrating tools such as Native Instruments' Komplete Kontrol. The music world is richer when every musician can participate fully.
RESOURCE LINKS
Seeing AI - A visual assistant for the blind. Free
Apple iPhone - free voiceover feature
Be My Eyes - free app that connects users to volunteers worldwide.
The Seeing Eye - Harnessing Freedom Video
Native Instruments - Accessibility for Komplete Kontrol software users.
VA Dept. Blind & Visually Impaired - (DBVI) provides services for employment, education & independence.
Dancing Dots Technology - Technology and training
AVID Music Notation - Sibelius Tutorial for blind composers
National Library Service- (NLS) offers large-print & brailled scores. Free
NLS Conversation with Justin - Video
Audible Books - Stories brought to life by captivating voices.
HR Paratransit - Hampton Roads transportation solutions
RayBan Meta Glasses - AI glasses
Media Kit
DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE
"Kauflin's execution, his ability to ripple waves of notes flawlessly and evoke colorful meadows of sound is unequivocally superb"
NEW YORK TIMES
"Kauflin favors a clarity of touch and ideas. His writing is balanced, tempering post-bop tendencies with the assurances of the gospel church"
THE TIMES
"What separates Kauflin from the others is the soulfulness of his repertoire - this is a musician who wants to do more than make you admire his virtuosity"
VIDEOS
GALLERY
