Thoughts on Keep on Keepin' On Film

     This was a movie that was about trumpeter Clark Terry, one of the all time greats who played with Duke Ellington's orchestra and many, many others. He's credited on being on at least a thousand records. He's a total legend and inspired people like Quincy Jones and Miles Davis. This movie doesn't show the musical giant that he is though. Rather it focuses on him being a teacher to young up and coming jazz musicians, particularly a blind piano player named Justin Kauflin who eventually gets signed by Quincy Jones at the end of the movie.

     This was a beautiful movie because it captures CT and Justin's love for jazz. Justin would come by to CT's place to work on tunes, to talk, and rehearse with his college band. Their friendship was a great one and CT thought very highly of Justin's playing. Justin's career hadn't really taken off when he moved to New York because he was blind and people didn't think a blind man could make it to gigs or learn their music. Justin was entered in the Thelonius Monk Competition somehow but didn't make top three, but in the end it worked out for him and he may become a great jazz musician working under Quincy Jones. This was a really fantastic film although it doesn't really feature much of CT's music or playing. At times I was sad to see CT in such destabilizing conditions as a result of his diabetes. The great trumpeter lives through his students!