The Making of "Keep On Keepin' On" - New Documentary on Jazz Icon Clark Terry

Clark Terry"If Clark Terry told me I was playing shit, man, I'd take that seriously. I'd take it to heart." - Miles Davis

It has been over six weeks since I presented a Kickstarter project to you. I just found out about this one via Seattle trumpeter Jason Parker (Thanks, Jason!). 

Clark Terry has created music for over seventy (70!) years. He is known and cherished as a world-class trumpeter, flugelhornist, educator, composer, writer, trumpet/flugelhorn designer, teacher and 1991 NEA Jazz Master.  In 2010, he received the GRAMMY's Lifetime Achievement Award.

 This newest project is a feature length documentary that follows the lives of 3 up-and-coming musicians, linked by their close association with one of the last living Jazz Legends, the great Clark Terry. The movie, Keep on Keepin' On,  will take an in-depth look into the history of each character, and follow their lives for a year.  

 Clark Terry mentored - among others - Miles Davis and Quincy Jones, placing him as one of the most influential musicians of all time.

There is a video below. It loads perfectly in Chrome and FireFox. For some reason, it's not loading in Internet Explorer. If it's missing, please click here to view it. My apologies to you for the technical drama...

Want to fund the project? Click here!  

The Characters: 

• Clark Terry       90 yr. old trumpet player/Jazz Legend from St. Louis, MO
• Justin Kauflin   24 yr. old blind piano player from Virginia Beach, VA
• Jeff Taylor        29 yr. old singer-songwriter from Watchung, NJ
• Al Hicks            27 yr. old drummer from Wollongong, Australia 

The Goal: 

To explore the challenges and triumphs of each character's life and career, to gain a deeper understanding of why they continue to pursue their craft - why they keep on keepin' on. We endeavor to uncover the mystery of the one-on-one nurturing process, and give the viewer an honest depiction of the impact that Clark Terry continues to have on the lives and careers of the 3 musicians.  

The Title:  

"Keep On Keepin' On" is an inspirational phrase that Clark Terry has signed at the bottom of his letters and postcards to aspiring musicians, for over 70 years. This phrase personifies Clark’s life and portrays his teaching of strength and resilience to his students. It also represents the individual journeys that Justin, Jeff and Al are on.

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What is Kickstarter?

They’re the largest funding platform for creative projects in the world.

Every month, tens of thousands of amazing people pledge millions of dollars to projects from the worlds of music, film, art, technology, design, food, publishing and other creative fields.

A new form of commerce and patronage. 
This is not about investment or lending. Project creators keep 100% ownership and control over their work. Instead, they offer products and experiences that are unique to each project.

All or nothing funding. 
On Kickstarter, a project must reach its funding goal before time runs out or no money changes hands. Why? It protects everyone involved. Creators aren’t expected to develop their project without necessary funds, and it allows anyone to test concepts without risk.

If you are a regular reader of the blog, you know that I love the concept of Kickstarter. Plus, I've seen many projects funded including The Queen's Suite Documentary, A Jazz Tribute to Nick Drake, Making of The Curtis Brothers Completion of Proof album, Reginald Cyntje's debut CD Freedom's Children and I Wanna Work For You by Alexa Weber-Morales.

If you are able, please support the making of this documentary by clicking this link and making a donation.

Thank you.