Acclaimed Pianist, Composer Justin Kauflin to Perform Live@RWU Series on Sept. 10

BRISTOL, R.I. – Hailed by the legendary Quincy Jones as a “simply beautiful cat,” 29-year-old Justin Kauflin is an emerging jazz pianist whose critical acclaim continues to rise exponentially. With a singular style, melodic and soulful bursts on the piano, Kauflin’s impassioned performances make his a show that can’t be missed.

Fresh on the heels of the 2015 album Dedication, Kauflin and his trio will take the stage at Roger Williams University on Thursday, Sept. 10, for an intimate performance. Part of the Live@RWU series – which has hosted jazz luminaries Freddy Cole, Aaron Diehl, Johnny O’Neal and Joe Locke to date – the concert is free and open to the public.

To complement the performance, Live@RWU and the Cable Car Cinema and Café will present the critically acclaimed 2014 documentary “Keep on Keepin’ On” for a film screening in Providence one night before the concert. The film depicts the friendship of the late jazz legend Clark Terry – age 89 in the film – and Kauflin, a blind piano prodigy who has suffered at times from crippling stage fright.

Kauflin turned to an intensive exploration of jazz when a rare disease resulted in total loss of vision at age 11, following an early start performing at concerts and weddings in his native Virginia since age 6. He began performing professionally at age 15, took top honors at jazz festivals across the country, became the protégé of Terry, the acclaimed trumpeter, and joined the Clark Terry Ensemble for performances around New York City.

Since the success of his first album, Introducing Justin Kauflin – which he composed, performed and produced in 2010 – Kauflin has headlined regularly at the Havana Nights Jazz Club in Virginia Beach, collected an array of accolades and awards and performed across the globe, most recently with the Justin Kauflin Trio. His 2015 album, Dedication, continues to receive outstanding reviews. 

Here are complete details on the performance and the film screening, both of which are sponsored by the University’s Feinstein College of Arts and Sciences:

Live@RWU Performance
Quincy Jones Presents the Justin Kauflin Trio
Thursday, Sept. 10, at 7:30 p.m.
RWU Bristol Campus, Global Heritage Hall Atrium
Free and Open to the Public
No Tickets Required, but Seating is Limited    
More information: (401) 254-3384

Live@RWU and Cable Car Cinema Film Screening
“Keep on Keepin’ On”
Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 6:30 p.m.
Cable Car Cinema & Café – 204 South Main Street, Providence
Limited tickets available at $7 each
Reserve in advance at www.cablecarcinema.com/movie/Keep_On_Keepin_On
More information: (401) 272-3970