| A
natural entertainer, North Philadelphia bred singer/songwriter/musician,
Jus comes from a long line of musical appreciation leading him to
pursue his training at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles. It
was here that he honed his skills on the guitar. Having a grandmother
who tours as an opera singer, uncles who are working jazz musicians,
helped to foster his early love for classical, jazz and soul music.
Jus was raised by his parents along with his older brother in a
row-home in an African American neighborhood ironically named Nicetown.
Suddenly uprooted by his fathers' new job in Aurora Colorado, the
family moved to a racially intolerant neighborhood where for the
first time he and his brother were the only African American kids
on the block. Jus spend the rest of his years in Colorado trying
to get back to roots in Philadelphia. Living in Colorado gave him
a new perspective on life. Philadelphia had given him the strength
to survive where the simplicity of Colorado forced him out of his
comfort zone.
This ambitious
musician, came to Los Angeles in 2002 after earning his Bachelors
of Arts from Temple University in Speech Communication. It was at
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Philadelphia where he quickly became
disillusioned about his job as a social worker and began taking
his love for music seriously. Realizing that his voice and energy
would better serve the people he was aiming to help musically, he
dropped everything and moved to Los Angeles to make it happen. Jus,
hit the ground running, performing at open mic nights at The Highland
Grounds, Molly's Irish Pub, The Futures Café, and wherever
else he could get onstage and be heard.
As word spread,
Justin was introduced to Vikter Diplaix who introduced him to the
Axis Music Group. Axis Music Group consists of Chauncey Childs,
Vikter Duplaix, and James Poyser. Justin spent that summer recording
with them at The Studio in Philadelphia. After the sunset, Jus hit
those Philly streets performing at South Street Blues, and trying
to get on at The Five Spot (Home of Philadelphia's own Black Lilly).
Forever True, the track produced by Vikter Duplaix aired on the
radio for the first time on a show called Inner City on Power 99FM
in Philadelphia December 2004.
Upon
returning to L.A. Jus resumed showcasing his sound, performing an
impromptu set for producer Johnny Jay at Atlantic Studios. Jus met
Gregory "G-Mac" Dalton, an accomplished guitarist/producer/engineer
who took a liking to this young guitar player offering Jus an opportunity
to open up for his infamous band The Polyester Players at Platinum
Live. Soon after, G-Mac and Jus began recording together, thus bringing
Justin's acoustic set to life. G-Mac has since become and integral
part of Jus's sound lending his musical and technical talents to
Hop on Board, Vision In Black, Hey, That Place, Star, Nicetown,
Soul Brotha #1, and Searching.
Taking his show
on the road, Jus has already performed with Bliss Life (Amel and
husband Laru Larrieux's entertainment company) at the Temple Bar
in Santa Monica at their venue Bliss Live! His weekly performances
venues include Aura's on Tuesdays and Cabrini's Coffee Shop on selected
weekends. Often described as the modern day Bill Withers because
of the accessibility of his subject matter, Jus is still recording
and working his sound. The profound honesty and sensitivity found
in his timeless music is what draws listeners to him. His understated,
rootsy style plays as a perfect contrast to what popular music is
giving. Wendy Goldstein (Sr. A&R at Capitol Records) found his
music insightful drawing comparisons to John Legend, and Musiq remarking
that what makes Jus special is his ability to say what so many people
feel. Combining soulful warmth, a genuine and folksy feel with his
smooth melodic voice, Jus has sung his way into the hearts of everyone
whose be lucky enough to listen. His ability to say what so many
feel is uncanny. Jus hopes to always be able to take his audiences
on a musical journey of the human experiences.
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