The Kauflin Trio played original works and covers during Jazz Festival performance

Every seat in the University of Idaho Haddock Performance Hall was filled by 7:45 p.m. on the first evening of the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival Thursday.

The Justin Kauflin Trio wasn”t set to go on until 8 p.m. and the crowd, composed of Vandals, visiting schools, alumni and community members, buzzed with excitement.

As the lights dimmed and the crowd quieted, the performers, pianist Justin Kauflin, bassist Katie Thiroux and drummer Kevin Kanner, made their way onto the stage.

Although the trio performed together for the first time at the festival, they opened strong with the Jazz standard written by Harry Warren and Joseph Young, “You”re My Everything.”

Mamta Kandel | Argonaut
Bassist Katie Thiroux and award-winning jazz pianist Justin Kauflin performed in Jazz Fest at the Haddock Performance Hall.

The trio”s set consisted of seven songs, a combination of covers by prominent jazz artists and Kauflin”s original works.

Despite having played music from a young age, Kauflin said performing can still be a nerve-wracking experience and he”s always relieved to hear a crowd when he walks out on stage.

“To walk on stage and hear people is a great moment,” Kauflin said. “You know, you never know. To know there are people out there to share the music with and to hope you connect with, that”s beautiful.”

Kauflin, a Virginia native, began learning to play violin at the age of four and later switched to piano.

While he enjoyed playing music, Kauflin said it wasn”t until he went completely blind at the age of 11 that he began to prioritize piano.

“I went totally blind when I was 11,” Kauflin said. “I was born with the disease, so it wasn”t a big surprise, but it helped me prioritize my life. Music became central.”

Kauflin said he and Thiroux have performed together in the past, but he had the opportunity to perform with Kanner for the first time on Thursday.

“I”ve been playing with Katie on and off for the last few years and I”ve heard of Kevin, I”m definitely familiar with his songs,” Kauflin said. “I”ve been looking forward to playing with him for the first time.”

Thiroux said she is happy to perform with Kauflin and has enjoyed getting to know the pianist over the years.

“It”s been a lot of fun,” Thiroux said. “Justin is very unique, a one-of-a-kind piano player and peaceful person and really a lot off fun to get to know.”

When it comes to performing with others, Thiroux said she appreciates the way that different solo artists can come together to find cohesion on the stage.

“I love that there can be so many people in the room but the energy on stage is very focused,” Thiroux said. “It doesn”t feel like you”re in this big hall with a bunch of people. You kind of work together and become very tight and close.”

Megan Rich, UI senior and piano performance major, said she was pleasantly surprised by the trio”s performance.

“I loved it, he was fantastic,” Rich said. “He”s got really good technique too, I was really surprised.”

Rich was brought to the performance by UI alumnus Skyler Mendell. Mendell, who recently graduated with a degree in music education and trumpet performance, said he was drawn to the concert because of Kauflin”s relationship with Clark Terry.

“We go to Jazz Fest every year,” Mendell said. “I had heard of him because of Clark Terry, one of my favorite trumpet players.”

Of all the pieces the Kauflin Trio played, Mendell said his favorite was Kauflin”s solo tribute to his former mentor.

“My favorite was the solo piece for Clark,” Mendell said. “It really let him shine. Every song did, but this one especially.”

Mendell”s favorite piece, Kauflin”s solo piano tribute to his late mentor and jazz legend, Clark Terry, was also one of the most outstanding performances of the night.

Kauflin, who was featured in a documentary about Terry called “Keep on Keepin” On,” said Terry”s influence helped him develop the music career he has today.

“I am humbled to have been able to spend time with him and call him a friend,” Kauflin said. “He had this gift of making all his students feel so special … I can”t say enough.”

Kauflin said not only does he appreciate the progress he”s made in his career, but also the musicians he”s had the privilege of playing with, such as Thiroux and Kanner.

“I”m pretty overwhelmed with where I am now,” Kauflin said. “The fact that I get to do this and I”m traveling and I get to share the stage with really stellar musicians, all I can say is when things happen you just have to go for it.”

Corrin Bond can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @CorrBond

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