Shanachie Entertainment (Gallo Record Company in South Africa), announce the signing of multi-instrumental wiz kid Justin Lee Schultz, who at 13 years old is releasing his debut album, which features special guests Bob James, Jonathan Butler, Pieces Of A Dream, and more…
Get your copy of ‘Gruv Kid’ HERE…
Raised in Minneapolis and born in Johannesburg, South Africa, musical wonder-kid Justin Lee Schultz is the good news you did not even know you needed. He is joy personified. The multi-instrumental wizard who has dazzled audiences on TV shows Harry, Little Big Shots and American’s Most Talented Family, is a prodigy in the fashion of his idols Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock.
His talent is not exceptional merely because he is young but also due to his melodic, harmonic and technical maturation. While his peers are learning the latest Tik Tok dances and amassing kills on Fortnite, Justin prefers studio time and woodshedding for hours.
While social distancing has most people jamming at home with their families, Justin has literally been jamming with his musician father and bassist Julius and 16-year-old sister and drummer Jamie-Leigh. “Music brings me joy because I can express myself when I play. I can also get creative when I’m improvising,” shares the amiable, cherub face and charismatic 13-year old who has aspirations are to one day share the stage with Stevie and Herbie Hancock, as well as Bruno Mars, Charlie Puth, Jacob Collier, Cori Henri and Robert Glasper.
Justin, who plays piano, guitar, bass guitar and talkbox, is home schooled and devotes five to seven hours each day to his musical craft, releases his debut album ‘Gruv Kid’ via Gallo Record Company in Africa, today, 30th October 2020.
Shanachie VP of Jazz A&R Danny Weiss states, “The words prodigy and genius do not do him justice. The warmth, the maturity, the feel, the brilliance… these are qualities that only a handful of artists can hope to attain, regardless of their age. The unadulterated joy that overflows from the gifted artist’s music is really a gift to all of us.” Chart-topping label-mates Pieces Of A Dream are the producers of Justin’s forthcoming CD, which joins him with special guests pianist Bob James and guitarist and singer Jonathan Butler. It is a natural that Pieces would produce Justin as they have developed a close relationship in recent years and both James Lloyd and Curtis Harmon were also child prodigies. They were just teens themselves when they were mentored by saxophonist Grover Washington Jr., who gave them their first record deal.
Within 30 seconds of experiencing Justin in his musical element, it is apparent that he was born with a gift. His father Julius shares, “When Justin was five I called him and Jamie up on stage together to play at one of my concerts.
It was then that I knew I had something special. It wasn’t my intention for my kids to play music, but when they showed interest and started playing and showing incredible potential, I knew I had something special on my hands. Every time I hear them play, I’m super proud.” Justin cites his dad as his main inspiration. “God blessed me with my musical gift but my dad guided me and nurtured it!” he says.
With a new CD on the way, Justin Lee Schultz has high hopes. “The ultimate dream is to win or even get nominated for a Grammy!, exclaims Justin. “I also hope that I can give people feel joy and happiness when they listen to my music!”