20 this year when I attended the Norfolk screening of what must be one of the top documentary films of the year. all right, I'm gushing, aren't I? That's what a film like this can do, even to a cranky old misanthrope!Ĭhristmas 2014 came early for me. It does so without being preachy, without being melodramatic, with humor and love and inspiration. So, too, is the way it portrays the way art (I don't think it matters if its music or visual art or literature) transforms people, the way it can transcend the difficulties of life, how it can bind you to others, how important it is that it be nurtured. The people at the center of the film, Clark Terry, aging trumpet virtuoso, his brave and compassionate wife, and the young, blind pianist whose fledgling career the film follows, are so wonderfully compelling. But you would never know it was a "first," the direction and editing is so very accomplished. As a former student and mentee of Clark Terry, he felt that this remarkable man's story needed to have a wider audience and set about making the film. The director is actually a jazz musician, not a film guy. It's not really a "music doc," it's about mentoring and relationships and having a passion for something. This documentary made me feel like there is hope for humanity. And I am a rather grumpy individual who is really not a people person. I highly recommend watching this film.įirst, let me say that I don't even particularly like jazz. Whether you like jazz or not this is a great story for anyone to enjoy. Not only is it a great story, the archive film footage is exceptional and rare. The entire story is uplifting and inspirational. The document shows you how he teaches one of his students Justin Kauflin a 23 year old who happens to be blind. CT is also a teacher and has taught for decades thousands of students. Both Quincy Jones and Miles Davis call Clark Terry their first mentor. He's received many accolades over the years. He has played in many jazz bands from Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Quincy Jones, the Tonight Show Bands, etc. I learned in this documentary that Clark Terry is about 93 years old. I would describe this documentary as a love story of his music students about their teacher, Clark Terry (CT). Who until this documentary, I hadn't heard of. It is a documentary about Clark Terry (CT) a well respected jazz musician.
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