Friday, April 12, 2024

Exquisite jazz quartet featuring an impeccable guitarist and a brilliant pianist.

Guitarist Chris Whiteman's expertise and deep passion for music led him to join the esteemed faculty at the University of Miami as a full-time lecturer in the Frost School of Music. In 2006, he even assumed the role of Acting Director of the jazz guitar program, further solidifying his experience in music education. He currently teaches at The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Throughout his career, Chris has graced stages across the United States and Europe, captivating audiences with his remarkable guitar skills and magnetic performances. Collaborating with Grammy-winning artists and producers, Chris has garnered extensive recognition. He has also ventured into composing music for films and serves as a signature artist arranger for Musicnotes.com, the world's leading platform for digital sheet music. His meticulous and innovative arrangements have garnered acclaim, firmly establishing his reputation as a highly skilled musician. Chris serves as the musical director for Wyatt Michael, a talented artist who gained prominence as a finalist on NBC's "The Voice" Season 21. From 2021 to 2023, Chris toured with jazz vocal sensation Veronica Swift, showcasing his versatility and becoming a sought-after sideman. Chris teaches privately to students worldwide, including four-time Grammy Award winner D’Angelo.

Justin Kauflin is an award-winning “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” - New York Times. 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.

This remarkable and rare quartet also includes Jimmy Masters on bass, and Emre Kartari on drums.

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