Home » Jazz Musicians » Justin Chart
Justin Chart
Universal Music Group artist Justin Chart is a visionary alto saxophonist and a prominent figure in the modern West Coast jazz scene. Jazz Europe rates Justin Chart as one of the top ten modern day hard bop saxophone players in the world. Known in jazz circles as “The Blizzard” for his explosive playing and intricate compositional changes, Chart is a trailblazer who is one of the modern masters of Hard-Bop jazz. His unique style is characterized by a seductive yet familiar vibe, offering a harmonic edge that remains deeply rooted in the jazz lineage while standing out as distinctly modern in color.
Justin Chart has graced the following renowned clubs, iconic stages, and Festivals: Lugano Jazz Festival–Switzerland, Sildajazz–Norway, Kammgarn International Jazz Festival—Germany, Varna Jazz Days Festival—Bulgaria, Ribe Jazz Festival—Denmark, Lahden Jazztori in Lahti–Finland, Jazz in Marciac—France, La Villette Jazz Festival in Paris–France, Torino Jazz Festival–Italy, Venezia Jazz Festival–Italy, Meer Jazz Festival in Haarlemmermeer–Netherlands.
Chart’s technique is nothing short of profound, often relying completely on spontaneous improvisation to create entire sets of music that feel as structured as carefully notated compositions. He is a master of “elegant and enticing extemporization,” frequently recording his albums in a single take to capture the raw, unbridled energy of the moment. Whether he is coaxing pure beauty out of his alto or letting loose fiery phrases of Be-Bop, his commanding presence and musical ingenuity have earned him critical acclaim and a reputation as a superlative world class artist.
His technique is characterized by a “staggering” level of skill and an “architectural” approach to improvisation. Chart doesn’t just play over a melody; he intuitively writes new melodies and rhythm changes on the spot. This profound technical ability allows him to lead his ensembles through complex, high-energy sessions that feel both dangerous and exhilarating, cementing his status as a master improvisational architect.
Justin Chart is a unique artist who maintains a deep respect for jazz tradition while constantly looking toward the future. His music is steeped in the lessons of the past, yet his harmonic choices and modern colorations define him as a contemporary crusader. Renown by many jazz writers and legendary artists —emphasizing a style that is infectious, devoid of pretentiousness, and filled with the brilliance of pure invention.
Justin Chart’s musical career spans over four decades, with performances throughout the world. He has amassed nearly 100,000 followers on Instagram and over 12 MILLION views on YouTube. His new album Solitude in Sound is available from Universal Music Group on all major streaming platforms.
Awards
Awards and Recognition Chart has received the following awards and recognition: Certificate of Recognition of Service to the City of Los Angeles in June of 2014 from Council President Herb Wesson Jr. Proclamation and Angel Award from the City of Los Angeles in June of 2014 from Councilman Tom La Bonge Artisan Appreciate Award in July of 2014 from Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti Proclamation of Service to The Latin Community of Los Angeles in February of 2015 from Councilman Jose Huizar Award of Commitment and Inspiration to the City of Los Angeles in March of 2015 from First Council Member Gil Cedillo Statement of Accomplishment in February of 2016 from United States Senator Dianne Feinstein In May of 2017, the Los Angeles city council adopted Chart's composition of "Los Angeles The Song" as an official part of Los Angeles' history. Humanitarian and Charitable Causes Chart is involved in numerous charitable causes. He has performed numerous fund-raisers to raise consciousness about the loss of funding for the arts in public schools. Chart in a partnership with Cal Fund raised over $50,000 for the California wildfires. Chart has served as Musical Ambassador for Wildlife Warriors Worldwide and the Australia Zoo Foundation.
Tags
Justin Chart: Night Heat
by Hrayr Attarian
Saxophonist Justin Chart is known for his cinematic, entirely improvised, live sessions. A stalwart of the Los Angeles, and Southern California, jazz scene, Chart has several superb albums to his credit. His 2024 record, Night Heat, maintains the same level of sophistication and spontaneity. It is culled from two separate appearances with different sidemen and consists of ten, relatively short, tracks that focus mainly on the intricacy of the melodies and the dynamic ensemble sound. For instance the ...
Continue ReadingJustin Chart: Keep The Blue
by Hrayr Attarian
Not all entirely improvised music necessarily embraces dissonance and atonality, however stimulating that may be. Saxophonist Justin Chart is famous for spontaneously creating entire sets, whether in the studio or in live settings, that are firmly rooted in mainstream sounds. His output is consistently cinematic and absorbing with a mysterious aura. His Keep the Blue is the quintessential soundtrack looking for a film, a classic film noir to be exact. The twelve tracks recorded at the Mixx in ...
Continue ReadingJustin Chart: The Midnight People
by Hrayr Attarian
Saxophonist Justin Chart is an inventive and versatile musician who spontaneously creates mellifluous and enthralling soundscapes. Leading a synergistic band of like-minded sidemen. Chart excels in live improvisations that are simultaneously free as well as charmingly accessible. His output in the third decade of the century has been prolific without sacrificing artistic vision. The Midnight People is Chart's third release of 2022 and continues the trend started in its predecessors.The title track, for instance, simmers with a soulfulness ...
Continue ReadingJustin Chart: The Scarlet Jazz Room
by Kyle Simpler
Improvisation is one of the key elements of jazz, and it isomething listeners expect to hear in most performances. However, it is often a part of the overall composition, which is based around a central melody. But saxophonist Justin Chart takes improvisation a step further with The Scarlet Jazz Room. This album relies almost entirely on improvisation, and the result is quite impressive. Some might assume that this amount of improvisation would suggest that it's some sort of ...
Continue ReadingJustin Chart: The Scarlet Jazz Room
by Hrayr Attarian
Justin Chart is an award winning singer-songwriter and an accomplished jazz saxophonist. On his spontaneously created pieces Chart often collaborates with a rotating cast of like-minded sidemen. The resulting music is as sophisticated and intricately structured as carefully notated compositions. Chart, once again, showcases his unique artistic approach with the cinematic and enchanting The Scarlet Jazz Room. Chart's unaccompanied, soulful alto opens “Shape of My Shade." As the four piece rhythm section enters, the piece simmers with passion. ...
Continue ReadingJustin Chart: Live In Los Angeles
by Hrayr Attarian
Los Angeles-based, award-winning, musician Justin Chart is both an accomplished singer-songwriter and a superlative saxophonist. Chart infuses his jazz work with a distinct melodicism and his pop songs with a crackling spontaneity. A number of his releases are recorded in one take and are mostly improvised while eschewing dissonance and embracing lyricism. His tenth, Live in Los Angeles, is no different. Accompanying him through this exciting set of 12 originals are a rotating cast of sidemen all of whom share ...
Continue Reading"Justin your passion for the saxophone is infectious; I can hear it in every note."
— Michael Cuscuna
"Justin, you have a deep respect for the tradition of jazz while forging your own path."
— Lou Donaldson
"After listening to "the Scarlet Jazz Room" you definitely have the sound to transport us to another time and place with your music."
— David Sanborn
"I feel Justin will leave an indelible mark on the history of music."
— Georg Bjorklund - Orkester Journalen
"You can have us hear the saxophone in a way it's never been heard before."
— Creed Bratton of The Grass Roots
"Justin has the rare gift of making complex music sound effortless."
JAZZ-PRESS
— Jazz Press
"Justin you have the ability to make the saxophone weep, laugh, and sing."
— Dan Morgenstern
"Chart is a burning soloist, and seems alive to the possibilities of this freeing format."
cadence
— Cadence Jazz Magazine
"Chart has the sound of a true jazz master unburdened by notions of fad or fashion, of era or genre."
entertainment-weekly-SQ
— ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
"I can hear Chart’s soul in his sound and truth in his tone.”
JAZZ-PRESS
— JAZZ PRESS
"Chart's singular creative approach, sublimely balances intriguing ideas with emotive eloquence."
AAJyellow
— ALL ABOUT JAZZ
"Pale Gold and Faded Green" is a powerful, impressionistic tune, the tension lying between Chart's exotic patterns and the many angles that his saxophone phrases."
cadence
— Cadence Jazz Magazine
"This music not only talks to your soul, it can carry you away to a place of Charts choosing."
pitchfork2
— Pitchfork
"The album 'Keep The Blue' is a brilliant celebration of timeless Jazz, tipping its hat to the various sounds and styles that have powered the genre to the place that we find it today
Sonny Stitt
saxophonePhotos
Music
Videos
Justin Chart
Location: Los Angeles
Instrument: Saxophone, alto
Born: February 6, 1970
