Justin Kauflin was born in Silver Spring, Maryland before moving to Virginia Beach, Virginia with his family. As a child he learned classical music on violin and piano. Starting at the age of six, he was performing in concerts, nursing homes, and weddings, eventually becoming concertmaster for several orchestras. When Kauflin was eleven, he lost his eyesight due to proliferative exudative retinopathy. He adjusted by learning Braille and cane mobility, and switching to jazz piano at the Governor's School for Performing Arts. He studied with Liz Barnes and John Toomey, a professor of jazz at Old Dominion University. In jazz festivals throughout the U.S. he received top honors and began performing professionally at the age of fifteen with the Jae Sinnett Trio. In 2004 Kauflin graduated in the top 1% at Salem High School with an Advanced Academic diploma and Valedictorian at the Governor's School for the Arts, receiving a Presidential scholarship to attend William Paterson University in New Jersey. At the university, his mentor was Clark Terry, and he played in the Clark Terry Ensemble. He was also influenced by Harold Mabern and Mulgrew Miller. In 2008 he moved to New York City and at age 23 produced, led, composed, and performed on his first album, Introducing Justin Kauflin. Kauflin's relationship with Clark Terry was depicted in the documentary Keep On Keepin' On, which made its world premiere at the Tribeca Film FestivalApril 2014 and won both Heineken Audience and Best New Documentary Director Awards. Kauflin is credited for the film score with Dave Grusin. Beginning in 2011, Kauflin performed with his own trio, as well as the Jae Sinnett Trio, in clubs in Virginia and across the country. He won the VSA International Young Soloist Award, was selected as semifinalist in the Thelonious Monk Competition in 2011, voted as "Jazz Artist of the Year" in VEER magazine, and was hired by Quincy Jones. From 2013–2014 he was part of Jones's world tour in Switzerland, France, Korea, and Japan. He worked with Jones on the album Dedication. Following the release, his trio performed in festivals, concerts, and clubs in Europe and America. Since the release of Keep On Keepin' On Justin has gone on to record on 10 more albums, 3 as leader or co-leader. In 2015, Kauflin participated in the commemorative album Oscar, With Love, a collection of previously unrecorded songs written by jazz pianist Oscar Peterson. After completing an extensive CD release world tour for Coming Home Justin is currently working on original film scores and new music for 2 very different albums, as well as being on faculty for several jazz camps.
