Keep on Keepin' On

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.

This film will tug at your heart strings. Clark Terry is a beautiful human being who has made a difference one person, one note, at a time. You will walk away from this film and find yourself thinking about it for a long time after. It is the story of how our lives intersect with people and the difference that even one relationship can make for a lifetime. Watching the relationship between CT and the young prodigy, Justin (and Candy) leaves you wishing you could be in the room with them breathing in whatever they are putting out. There are multiple relationships taking place during the film and each is just as important as another. It is a film showing real life with all of its joy, sorry, fear, anxiety, pain, love, and compassion. I have seen this film twice and can't wait to see it again and share it with everyone I know. I am also keeping an eye out for whatever is around the corner for the talented Justin Kauflin.

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.

Keep on keepin' on is a project that took over 4 years of filming, and another 2 years of editing. A labor of love, this is a monumental work of film making history. The film crew often slept on the sofa of Clark Terry's house, and matched their hours to those of the nocturnal Mr. Terry - who often teaches his students in after midnight sessions.

Jazz great Clark Terry is a national treasure, and has taught thousands of students for over 7 decades - a legacy of music. Many of his students, such as Quincy Jones and Miles Davis, have had stellar careers.

Highly recommend this very uplifting and inspiring documentary! I have seen it twice, and look forward to seeing it many more times.