BlazeLime Strong and Moving!

Adeel Hail Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.

Arianna Moses Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Taha Avalos The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

eddie_baggins An intimate and small scale documentary that chooses to focus on the personnel moments rather than the grand, Keep On Keepin' On is a lovely look into the way music affects people's lives and a fitting piece of memorability for the recently passed away Jazz legend Clark Terry.Without professing to know much or in fact anything about the Jazz scene, Keepin On does a great job at making the audience feel a part of this musical movement thanks to Australian filmmaker Alan Hick's steady direction and Clark's wholly infectious love for the genre of music. Whether watching Clark in finely used stock footage or in his later bed ridden years, his knowledge and passion for Jazz is unwavering and his musical based friendship with blind piano player Justin Kauflin is a touching and poignantly captured relationship that is the heart and soul of this low key doco.Justin is a likable presence and his easy going banter with CT is a joy to behold. It's clear to see that Justin's appearance in CT's life came at the opportune time and as CT begins to lose his vision due to years of battling diabetes the two Jazz loving men bond even tighter over there shared conditions and CT mentoring Justin to become the best he can be is both genuine and interesting. While much of Keepin On feels wholly legitimate and unflattering there are issues that stem from the fact you can't help but feel as in most documentaries that your being ever so slightly manipulated and the fact that long time Clark friend and fellow musician Quincy Jones is the producer of this film, there's high chance elements of this doco are not totally as they seem.As a look at the importance and meaning behind music and friendships based around it, Keep On Keepin' On is a must watch documentary that will be loved by many. It's great to see the strength of the human spirit and endurance on show in such a manner and the talent that these two subjects possess musically is something worth beholding.3 and a half late night musical jams out of 5

leshutchinson The premise of this documentary - the mentoring relationship between jazz great Clark Terry and aspiring pianist Justin Kauflin - lends itself to the heart-warming category. However, as the story unfolds and we learn more about the struggles being faced by both men with their health (and nerves in Kauflin's case), we are given an insight to the strength of the human spirit to overcome adversity. Despite his failing health, Clark Terry continues to mentor Kauflin and others. Despite setbacks in the early stages of his career, Kauflin continues to practice and develop with a steely resolve.These strands are inspirational. What truly sets this documentary apart is the bond of friendship that develops between the two men. It is uplifting to see the development of their affection and to share in the joy that they share in each other's company.I highly recommend seeking this one out - it is a wonder-filled story.

garyrob2008 This is the type of movie that deserves attention and filled theater seats. It's current timeline (being a documentary) also manages to bring you back in time because of characters like Terry, Jones, Miles Davis etc...The old days of jazz are made relevant again in this heart touching story of inexplicable talent and chance encounters that were somehow meant to be. You get to see a chain reaction of mentoring through decades of very talented jazz musicians. The audience gets more than their moneys worth watching this movie. Not only are we treated to the music aspect, but we also witness an undying love story between Gwen and Clark that tugs at the heart strings.Anyone who enjoys music would have a difficult time NOT enjoying this movie. A must see!!

bgpender Just viewed this documentary last weekend at a local art house in Norfolk as a wonderful treat from two dear friends who love compelling documentaries and Jazz as much as I do.I must say I was pleasantly shocked when I first saw Justin appear on the screen ("OMG...That's Justin!"); I met Justin several years ago when he gigged at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts one Thursday in 2010. I was so mesmerized by his musicianship that I actually purchased his CD and had him sign it.This documentary is a compelling story of the language of Jazz and its transfer through multiple generations, courtesy of Clark Terry. But beyond musicianship, this documentary is the story of the power of Mentorship and why it takes a village to keep music traditions and language alive.And by the way, It's a Tear Jerker. At least it was for me.