Against all odds, Ken Vandermark sustains a career in American avant-garde improvisational jazz. Renowned among musicians for his relentless dedication, the Chicago reed player has released over 100 albums with nearly 40 groups, touring for more than eight months annually. He dedicates himself to composing, arranging, and performing, alongside managing his two dogs. Despite receiving a MacArthur genius grant in 1999, Vandermark primarily works in small clubs and studios, hoping audiences will support his unconventional music. Shot in an observational cinéma vérité style, this film avoids interviews and narration, offering an intimate glimpse into the sounds and atmosphere of this uniquely American art form.
