IMDb RATING
7.7/10
1.1K
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A documentary that follows jazz legend Clark Terry over four years to document the mentorship between Terry and 23-year-old blind piano prodigy Justin Kauflin as the young man prepares to co... Read allA documentary that follows jazz legend Clark Terry over four years to document the mentorship between Terry and 23-year-old blind piano prodigy Justin Kauflin as the young man prepares to compete in an elite, international competition.A documentary that follows jazz legend Clark Terry over four years to document the mentorship between Terry and 23-year-old blind piano prodigy Justin Kauflin as the young man prepares to compete in an elite, international competition.
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- 14 wins & 8 nominations total
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Featured reviews
This journey of friendship, regardless of your interest in or love of music, was a story which grabs your soul and swells your being with strength and sheer appreciation of life. These two incredibly gifted musicians were so aptly portrayed as selfless humanitarians who bring to the audience an intimate insight into their lives, intertwined with the exceptional musical talents they both so modestly reveal. Hard to conceive modesty emanating from someone who played with Count Basie and Duke Ellington, and taught the likes of Quincy Jones and Miles Davis, but Clark Terry is just such a man. His latest student, Justin Kauflin, is an inspiration himself, despite his blindness, showcasing the excellence of his gifts as a pianist, guided by the exceptional musical teachings and life lessons from "CT". Their synchronicity shines; You cannot leave the theatre without tears, smiles and the education gleaned from the strength of positive thinking and faith in humanity.
The film tells the story of blind piano prodigy, Justin Kauflin, who suffers terrible stage fright, finds his way to jazz legend and teacher Clark Terry who's battling illness. Not only will this movie take you through time and space with great archives and quotes from legends such as Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones who produced the film, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis but you'll, in my case, discover the life of Clark Terry, who is known to be the greatest trumpet player of all time and one of the greatest human beings in the world of jazz. At 94 years old, he's still teaching and transmitting to a generation of young jazz musicians his passion and dedication to excellence. It's not everyday your soul is fed by such incredible humanity, humility and musical talent.
Excellent movie, uplifting, inspirational, and brave. Will leave you thinking and feeling better about humanity. Do not want to add more to what others have posted but in general for both Jazz and music lovers and also people interested in movies about the human spirit. Clark Terry was a mentor to many of the current Jazz greats and he continues to mentor up and coming musicians despite being in his 90's and in poor health. Justin is a young pianist who lost his sight when he was 11 and aims to be a top jazz pianist. Movies details their lives and relationship and their trial and tribulations.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
This is an extraordinary movie. It is a documentary about Clark Terry (CT) a well respected jazz musician. Who until this documentary, I hadn't heard of. I would describe this documentary as a love story of his music students about their teacher, Clark Terry (CT).
I learned in this documentary that Clark Terry is about 93 years old. He's well respected in his field. He has played in many jazz bands from Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Quincy Jones, the Tonight Show Bands, etc. He's received many accolades over the years. Both Quincy Jones and Miles Davis call Clark Terry their first mentor. He's a musician's musician. But Mr. CT is also a teacher and has taught for decades thousands of students. The document shows you how he teaches one of his students Justin Kauflin a 23 year old who happens to be blind. The entire story is uplifting and inspirational.
Not only is it a great story, the archive film footage is exceptional and rare. Whether you like jazz or not this is a great story for anyone to enjoy. I highly recommend watching this film.
I learned in this documentary that Clark Terry is about 93 years old. He's well respected in his field. He has played in many jazz bands from Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Quincy Jones, the Tonight Show Bands, etc. He's received many accolades over the years. Both Quincy Jones and Miles Davis call Clark Terry their first mentor. He's a musician's musician. But Mr. CT is also a teacher and has taught for decades thousands of students. The document shows you how he teaches one of his students Justin Kauflin a 23 year old who happens to be blind. The entire story is uplifting and inspirational.
Not only is it a great story, the archive film footage is exceptional and rare. Whether you like jazz or not this is a great story for anyone to enjoy. I highly recommend watching this film.
10jazbase
I strongly encourage everyone to see this film. It is moving, human, honest, humbling, and illustrates the power of love, music and friendship that knows no bounds. There could be no more a giving person in jazz over the last 50 years than Clark Terry, and no harder working, loyal, gifted friend to him than Justin Kauflin. And to hear Justin play piano is another beautiful, emotionally powerful aspect of the film. To see Clark Terry going through such difficult health issues and see the power of Justin's friendship and how it brought meaning and a reason for Clark to want to live was overwhelming in its beauty. I felt humbled and blessed for having seen it, and will certainly see it again...and again.
Did you know
- TriviaClark Terry was a huge influence on Miles Davis.
Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $163,745
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $12,930
- Sep 21, 2014
- Gross worldwide
- $163,745
- Runtime
- 1h 24m(84 min)
- Color
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