“Keep On Keepin’ On:” Clark Terry and Justin Kauflin

Ed Danielson interview with Justin Kauflin, solo piano by Justin Kauflin

The jazz documentary about trumpeter Clark Terry and his piano protege Justin Kauflin has been getting rave reviews at film and music festivals in Colorado (Boulder this spring and the Vail Jazz Party) and around the nation.  ”Keep On Keepin’ On” is featured as the Red Carpet Matinee this Saturday, November 22, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.  as part of the Starz Denver International Film Festival.  Kauflin will perform live after the screening at Buell Theatre.

Kauflin visited KUVO in September and played in the Phyllis A. Greer Performance Studio during the “Jazz with Ed Danielson” show.  Ed and Justin talk about Justin’s relationship with the trumpet great Terry, and Justin plays music from the film.

“He’s such an incredible person,” said Kauflin of his mentor Terry, renown for his work with both Count Basie and Duke Ellington, and for integrating the NBC Orchestra on “The Tonight Show.”   “One of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met,” the young Kauflin effused.

Also in this performance interview, Kauflin tells the story of how (producer) Quincy Jones met Clark Terry.  In the film, Terry’s mentorship of many other great musicians becomes clear.

The performance at KUVO was engineered by Joey Kloss.  The feature was edited by Susan Gatschet Reese.

Other Colorado connections for the Alan Hicks-directed film: it was produced by Academy Award-winning Paula DuPre Pesman and edited by Dennis Coombe.