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 2008 he moved to New York City and at age 23 produced, led, composed, and performed on his first album, Introducing Justin Kauflin.

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.

[12] After completing an extensive CD release world tour for Coming Home (Jan-Feb 2019),[13] he recorded music for separate projects that have been put on hold.

He also completed original film score for My Sister Liv, produced by Al Hicks and Paula DuPre Pesman.