Justin Lee Schultz – Gruv Kid

By starrymag | March 14, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) I think I’m still developing and working on my sound.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) I love Stevie Wonder, his songwriting ability is amazing and his overall musicality is insane. Some of my other musical influences are Chick Corea, Bob James, Herbie Hancock, George Benson, George Duke, Quincy Jones, Oscar Peterson, Art Tatum, Cory Henry, Jacob Collier and, of course, my dad Julius Schultz. He is an amazing jazz guitarist and songwriter. He’s guided and supported my music career since the very beginning.

 

Q) What made you want to cover the song “Do I Do?”

 

A) Well, I’m a huge fan of Stevie Wonder and while my dad and I were picking out songs that we wanted to be on the album, “Do I Do” popped in our heads. In January 2019, I sat in with the fusion band FunkyardX and they had this insane arrangement of “Do I Do” that my dad and I both loved. So, when it came down to me wanting to cover that song we reached out to the band and asked if we could put their arrangement on my album and they said yes!

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) I think fans connect to the vibe and groove of it!

 

Q) Your sister plays drums on the song. Did the two of you work well together on this arrangement?

 

A) Yes, we did. We’ve been working and playing together for almost nine years and it’s always a blast. We do have our arguments now and then, but when it comes down to it, we work well together. She killed it!

 

Q) What is your song writing process? 

 

A) I don’t really have a “song writing” process. Generally, I’ll get an idea of the groove or melody and just develop it from there.

 

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) When it comes to the production of my music, I have a big hand in it. My dad and I mainly write, produce and arrange the music that I release. I love producing and recording. Other than playing, it’s my favorite thing to do in music.

 

Q) You are the youngest musician ever to have a Top 10 of Billboard Smooth Jazz. What does that accomplishment mean to you?

 

A) I can’t believe it. It’s so crazy for me to think that I have music on the Top 10 Billboard Jazz. I thank God for opening all the right doors for me and my dad for always pushing me to be better and pouring all his knowledge into me of not only music but life as well.

 

Q) Tell us about what it was like making your debut album GRUV KID and working with so many legendary Contemporary Jazz icons like Bob James and others?

 

A) It was a great experience working on Gruv Kid. I learned a lot of things about producing, arranging and songwriting. And it was crazy for me to work with all the legends in the contemporary jazz scene. They all are people I look up to and people that I grew up listening to. They all are so humble and down to earth.

 

Q) We know that Chick Corea is a hero of yours. With his passing what does his music and legacy mean to you?

 

A) I’ve been playing Chick Corea’s music since I started. He has influenced my style and my approach to music in so many ways. I was saddened by his passing, but his legacy will live on forever through his music.

 

Q) With concerts currently on hold, what do you miss most about being on stage?

 

A) I miss connecting with the people and fans in the audience and feeding off their energy and the energy of my fellow bandmates, whether I’m playing with my dad and my sister or if I’m playing with somebody else.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) I would say either Stevie Wonder or Jacob Collier. I’m a huge fan of both and I’d love to work with either of them. I’d love to work with Herbie Hancock, George Benson and maybe do some talkbox with Bruno Mars.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

 

A) I’m listening to a lot of Jacob Collier at the moment. His harmonic knowledge, musicianship and arrangements are out of this world.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) I really enjoy putting out those short videos and social media gives me access to more people.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) I’d like to thank everybody that supports me and one of my main goals is to inspire. And show anybody with hard work and dedication plus fun, anything is possible.