Varese Sarabande: KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON [2015]

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“This soundtrack is not only a road map through the film, but also somewhat of a personal Clark Terry mix-tape,” said the film’s director Alan Hicks.  “Producing it with Clark’s first student — the great Quincy Jones — has been an honor and an extremely humbling experience, something I will never forget. Keep On Keepin’ On is a project filled with passion and love, and has been my little way of saying thank you to my teacher.”

“I am absolutely honored to be a part of KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON,” said Quincy Jones.  “Clark Terry was my idol, my teacher, and is still one of my dearest friends. On top of that, he is undoubtedly the greatest trumpet player of the 20th Century, and a living legend.  To help share his story and his spirit with the world has been a passion and goal of mine for years, and this film depicts his importance in the lexicon of American music beautifully.”

Shot over the course of five years by first-time filmmaker Al Hicks, KEEP 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 1960's, 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 attract and cultivate budding talents. KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON highlights his friendship with the preternaturally gifted Justin 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. Kauflin's work on the film's score with composer Dave Grusin sets the tone for a story that spans decades, lifetimes and the entire history of modern Jazz, complete with firsthand anecdotes from Jones and Herbie Hancock. KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON is a film crafted with great affection by Hicks - another former student of Terry's - a grace note for his teacher, infused with soulfulness and serendipity.

“I’ve said this many times, but this film has so much TRUTH in it, it’s what hits you on the emotional level,” said Jones. “I cry every time I watch this film, and it’s tears of understanding and feeling for these real, beautiful, people. Justin and Clark have a special relationship that I know well, and I am beyond elated that this, along with the music, can be shared in an exquisite picture. This is a film that will inspire all of us to Keep On Keepin’ On.”

Track Listing
1. Dialog by Clark Terry / Letter to Justin #1
*Exodus - Justin Kauflin (5:12)
2. Brotherhood of Man - Oscar Peterson Trio and Clark Terry (3:31)
3. Candy - Clark Terry and the Metropole Orchestra (3:46)
4. Mumbles - Oscar Peterson Trio and Clark Terry (2:02)
5. Dialog by Clark Terry and Justin Kauflin
Mood Indigo - Duke Ellington (1:06)
6. Harlem Air Shaft - Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra (3:53)
7. Dialog by Justin Kauflin and Clark Terry
Breeze (Blow My Baby Back To Me) - Clark Terry and Justin Kauflin (1:46)
8. *Justin Leaving - Dave Grusin (:56)
9. Girl Talk - Clark Terry with Orchestra Conducted by Peter Herbolzheimer (5:06)
I0. If I Had You [Live] - Jazz at the Philharmonic All-Stars featuring Clark Terry (2:14)
11. *Dreams Change - Justin Kauflin (1:11)
12. Jazz Conversations - Clark Terry (4:26)
13. Michelle - Clark Terry (4:34)
14. Dialog by Justin Kauflin
*My Biggest Enemy - Dave Grusin (:45)
15. Jim - Oscar Peterson Trio and Clark Terry (3:00)
16. Dialog by Clark Terry and Justin Kauflin /
*What The Hell Time Is It? - Dave Grusin (1:52)
17. *Darkest Hour - Justin Kauflin (1:18)
18. Stardust [Live in London] - Jazz at the Philharmonic All-Stars featuring The Clark Terry Quintet (3:45)
19. Blee Blop Blues (aka Normania) - The Count Basie Orchestra (2:55)
20. Misty - Clark Terry with Orchestra Conducted by Peter Herbolzheimer (5:32)
21. Dialog: Farewell by Quincy Jones and Clark Terry
 I Remember Clifford - Quincy Jones (:40)
22. I Remember Clifford - Quincy Jones (3:45)
23. Dialog by Quincy Jones and Clark Terry / Letter To Justin #2
*Exodus - Justin Kauflin
24. *For Clark - Justin Kauflin
*denotes original score

RADiUS presents KEEP ON, KEEPIN’ ON currently available On Demand and DVD. The KEEP ON, KEEPIN’ ON – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack on Varèse Sarabande, featuring performances by Clark Terry and Justin Kauflin, with original score by Justin Kauflin and Dave Grusin, will be available digitally and on CD February 24, 2015, with an LP version coming soon.

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http://www.varesesarabande.com/

Some really great music for your ears as we follow the story.

Jeremy [Howlin' Wolf]