Justin is an amazing, award-winning pianist mentored by Clark Terry, who mentored Quincy Jones, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny and Diana Reeves. Terry refers to Justin as “one of the most talented pianist that has ever walked the face of this earth.”  The New York Times descibes him as 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”.  

After losing his sight at the age of 11, Kauflin gravitated towards playing jazz piano, despite having a background in classical violin & piano. As leader, player, composer and producer, Justin Kauflin has released 10 recordings to date and has collaborated on 30+ albums as sideman. In 2015, Justin had the incredible honor of performing on Oscar Peterson's personal Bosendorfer for "Oscar with Love," along with 16 world class pianists for Kelly Peterson and Mack Avenue Records. March 2023 marked Justin's debut live-recorded vinyl, "Justin Kauflin Trio Live at Sam First" by Sam First Records. 

Justin Kauflin scored, and is featured in, the Oscar shortlisted documentary "Keep On Keepin' On," directed by fellow musician, friend and award-winning director Al Hicks and Oscar and Grammy winning composer, Dave Grusin. During the 5-year process, Justin was picked up for management by Quincy Jones and performed as a solo artist on his World Tours. The Justin Kauflin Trio went on to perform worldwide, as well as conduct jazz workshops, from 2015-2020. Justin Kauflin is dedicated to creating and sharing music that excites, energizes and nourishes the soul in multiple genres & media. He is signed for management by impresario and music icon Quincy Jones, and is a Yamaha Artist.

Bassist Michael Hawkins has performed with jazz legends saxophonists Jimmy Heath, Eric Alexander, Gary Bartz, Donald Harrison; pianists Bruce Barth, Eric Reed, Mulgrew Miller, Cyrus Chestnut, John Hicks; vocalists Vanessa Rubin, Leon Thomas, Carla Cook; vibraharpist Stefon Harris; guitarist Mark Whitfield, Mark Elf and Russell Malone; drummers Carl Allen, Ralph Peterson, Cindy Blackmon; and the trombone and seashells of Steve Turre. Hawkins has led groups and performed in prestigious venues such as The Village Vanguard, Sweet Basil's, Dizzy’s Coca Cola Club (Jazz at Lincoln Center), Cleopatra's Needle, Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase (Chicago), Jazz Bakery (Los Angeles), Ragatta Bar, Sculler's (Boston), The Dakota (Minneapolis) and Yoshi's (Oakland).

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