ReaderKenka Let's be realistic.

Majorthebys Charming and brutal

RipDelight This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

Gary The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

TxMike I managed to see this documentary on Netflix streaming. With lots of contributors it features Clark Terry, one of the more famous and revered trumpet players of all time, and an unknown, blind 20-something pianist, Justin Kauflin.I am a trumpet player, I started in the 1950s, I knew of Clark Terry but didn't really know much about him. In this film he is already in his early 90s, still playing when he can, but battling progressive diabetes which eventually took his life in 2015 at the age of 94. What this film brings out is how positive he was and how generous he was, always willing to help mentor someone, even this young, blind pianist. Young Justin has an uphill battle, from Virginia and moving to Manhattan to pursue his passion, he found out how difficult it is and had to move back with his parents. But when he got in with Clark Terry, "CT" as he called him, his fortunes began to change. The very first musician to seek out CT some 60 years earlier was Quincy Jones, who now as a music producer learned of Justin through CT, took him under his wing, brought him to the Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, and has kick-started his career.Really a good film, very personal, very poignant.

SuzyCayenne First, let me say that I don't even particularly like jazz.And I am a rather grumpy individual who is really not a people person. BUT...This documentary made me feel like there is hope for humanity. It left me with a warm and rosy glow. It's not really a "music doc," it's about mentoring and relationships and having a passion for something.The director is actually a jazz musician, not a film guy. As a former student and mentee of Clark Terry, he felt that this remarkable man's story needed to have a wider audience and set about making the film. But you would never know it was a "first," the direction and editing is so very accomplished.The people at the center of the film, Clark Terry, aging trumpet virtuoso, his brave and compassionate wife, and the young, blind pianist whose fledgling career the film follows, are so wonderfully compelling. So, too, is the way it portrays the way art (I don't think it matters if its music or visual art or literature) transforms people, the way it can transcend the difficulties of life, how it can bind you to others, how important it is that it be nurtured. It does so without being preachy, without being melodramatic, with humor and love and inspiration.all right, I'm gushing, aren't I? That's what a film like this can do, even to a cranky old misanthrope!

pendergast3 Christmas 2014 came early for me. It arrived Dec. 20 this year when I attended the Norfolk screening of what must be one of the top documentary films of the year. People who know more about films than I, agree, since it made the "short list" of 15 contenders for Oscar. In fact, it was the best documentary I've ever seen. Filmed on a near bare bones budget by a team of three amateur Australian videographers, the film captures the essence of friendship, mutual respect, admiration, the undaunted pursuit of excellence and pure talent. Simply, it's awesome."Keep on Keeping On" is the personal story of two men: one is an aging, world- renowned and arguably the premier trumpet player of all time--the incredible Clark Terry. The other is a budding jazz pianist, a blind but brilliant and brave young prodigy, Justin Kauflin, who lost his sight at age 11. Justin then set his mind to becoming the premier jazz pianist, learned to play and earned admission to the William Paterson School of Music. It was there where the Clark Terry Archive exists that " CT" and Justin met, befriended and established his mentor-protégé relationship with the famous, aging but ill, jazz icon. The film also seamlessly weaves Clark Terry's first student, Quincy Jones, into this story with his most recent, Justin. Keep On Keepin' On is an organic and inspiring true story of a mentorship-relationship that transcends differences...in age, race, illness, and disability. The love, respect and vision director Al Hicks and team have for Clark Terry is palpable throughout!

david-zylberman 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.