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CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED AND AWARD WINNING DOCUMENTARY 

DEBUTS IN LOS ANGELES THIS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 

"Keep On Keepin' On is both tender and joyous, a moving account of the mutual nourishment of artistic mentorship and the rewards of accentuating the positive in whatever life throws at you."

– David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter

 

"There are so many horrible things going on in the world that it's rare to stumble upon something that makes you feel heartened and hopeful about society."

– Julie Miller, Vanity Fair

 

"Magnificent! What a story. A profoundly moving, entertaining and life-enhancing experience. If you liked 'Searching For Sugar Man' and '20 Feet From Stardom' you should line up right now. Not just one of this year's best documentaries, it is one of the year's best pictures period." 

– Pete Hammond, Movie Line

 

Shot over the course of five years by first-time filmmaker Al HicksKeep On Keepin' On depicts the remarkable story of 93-year-old jazz legend Clark Terry. A living monument to the Golden Era of Jazz, Terry—a mentor to Miles Davis—is among the few performers ever to have played in both Count Basie's and Duke Ellington's bands. In the 1960s, he broke the color barrier as the first African-American staff musician at NBC—on "The Tonight Show." Today, after a life spent working with and teaching the most totemic figures in jazz history, Terry continues to educate and mentor budding talents. Keep On Keepin' On highlights his friendship with the preternaturally giftedJustin Kauflin, a blind, 23-year-old piano prodigy who suffers from debilitating stage fright. Not long after Kauflin is invited to compete in an elite Jazz competition, Terry's health takes a turn for the worse. As the clock ticks, we see two friends confront the toughest challenges of their lives. 

Quincy Jones entered the "set" of Keep On Keepin' On during an unexpected visit to his old friend, Clark. Not only was Clark Miles Davis' mentor, but Clark's first student was a 14-year-old aspiring trumpet player named Quincy Jones. Clark and Q's history go back to the 1940's and Quincy considers Terry to be one of his first music idols. The two are reunited once again on this project and Quincy is delighted to work once more with his beloved friend.  Mr. Jones (now a producer of the film) states of Keep On Keepin' On, "I've never seen so much truth in one film in my life."

 

 

 

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