His music has been described as “happy jazz,” and for those who know of the legendary trumpeter Clark Terry, “happy” seems like an under-sell. How about invigorating? Vibrant? Perfection? As one of America’s most amorphous and celebrated genres of music, Clark Terry brings a whole new level of appreciation to the art of Jazz, which is beautifully captured in the documentary, Keep On Keepin’ On. Even at 93 years young, Terry proves that no matter what life challenges come one’s way, there’s always peace in music.
Keepin’ On not only profiles Clark but also his friendship with 23-year-old Justin Kauflin who, like Terry, is an extremely gifted musician. Kauflin is a piano prodigy, whose beautiful music is made all the more extraordinary after we discover that he is blind, and suffers from extreme stage fright.
Their perseverance is heavily coated throughout the film, one of my favorite subtleties being Justin’s ringtone- Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.”
Both of their lives are full of challenges, although much to my delight, the audience is never made to feel sorry for the duo- we never feel as if they are suffering, even when going through some unimaginable hardships. They are not portrayed as victims; rather, they are pioneers for artists with disabilities. Their perseverance is heavily coated throughout the film, one of my favorite subtleties being Justin’s ringtone- Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.”
The film does an excellent job of balancing the past with the present. Born in the 1920’s, Clark Terry lived during the Golden Era of American Jazz and reflecting on its history is extremely interesting. For any music aficionado, watching old footage of Clark mentoring a young Miles Davis brings a smile to your face. It’s obvious that even from a young age, Terry’s joy came from helping other young musicians find their sound, and that is exactly what he continues to do today with Justin.
Aside from the gem of the story, the creative team behind Keepin’ On is another reason for its successful outcome. The film was produced by Quincy Jones (a former Clark Terry student) and Paula DuPré Pesmen, whose previous films include the Academy Award-winning documentary, The Cove. In an interesting and humbling turn, Director Alan Hicks is not only a fan but a former student of Clarks’. As a drummer in Clark Terry’s ensemble, Hicks makes the most of his “backstage pass” by getting unusually intimate footage of Clark in what would otherwise be an extremely vulnerable state.
Clark and Justin’s unique bond is a special relationship to watch on-screen; they are best friends, mentors, and motivators. Their complications do not deter them, rather, it drives them further into the need for perfection (a lesson in perseverance many will take away at the film’s close). Keep On Keepin’ On is a testament to the power of music and how, in the right hands, it can truly change the world. A statuesque shot of Terry, a toothpick hanging from one corner of his mouth and a trumpet on the other is one shot from the film that is still in my mind, and I never thought I’d have the journalistic opportunity to say this, but Clark Terry is one cool cat.
