A GOOD MOVIE: KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON

Clark Terry is maybe the greatest jazz trumpeter of all times (which pretty much makes him the best trumpeter of all times because who knows any trumpeters who are not jazz trumpeters... but I digress). Early in his career as a kid in St Louis ('Trumpeter City') he knew that this was what he wanted to do but was unable to get any of the established horn players to take him seriously. This documentary film, Keen on keepin' on, celebrates Terry's life from the vantage point of 90 years and from the vantage point of a master who, having had to teach himself his craft, determined to give to younger generations as much as they could possibly take from him. One of the youngsters is twenty-something aspiring jazz pianist, Justin Kauflin, who also happens to be blind.  Forget testosterone-enhanced broflicks: this is a lovely story of two men, both teachers in their own way, who speak the (cliche warning!) language of jazz and who each have major physical obstacles. Clark Terry is suffering from diabetes that eventually takes both of his legs but this does not blunt his vocal riffs as he and Justin play together at Terry's home, or as Justin prepares for the Thelonious Monk Jazz Piano Competitions. You don't have to like jazz to be drawn into their relationship, to see their love; to appreciate Clark Terry's overwhelming desire to share what he has learned. 

Keep on keepin' on is available from Netflix either as a DVD or as streaming.