Terkel comments and presents a musical performance by Wynton Marsalis

American jazz cornet player Wild Bill Davison known for his wild ways, discusses his career in jazz music and life in Chicago. Davison rubbed elbows with all the Chicago bigwigs from Al Capone to jazz legends such as Fats Waller.

Studs Terkel and John McDonough talk with jazz pianist Teddy Wilson about his influences and career. Wilson was initially strongly influenced by Fats Waller and later came to highly admire Earl Hines. He adapted their clean and clear piano style to his own work. Wilson aspired to be a classical musician but felt he could not attain the performance level required because his time was spent in jazz. He was an original member of the Benny Goodman trio alongside both Goodman and Krupa. He was a part of the first inter racial group to play in public.

Maxene Andrews reminisces over Andrews Sisters songs with Studs Terkel. She acknowledges the heavy influence the Boswell Sisters played in the creation of their image. She relays musical stories surrounding songs in Abbott and Costello such as "Bugle Boy" from their movie "Buck Privates". How they found the song "Mir Bist Du Schon" and Sammy Cahn and Saul Chaplin helped with the lyrics. How song pluggers brought The Andrews Sisters "Tip-Pi-Tin". How "Apple Blossom Time" helped an injured soldier at Oak Knoll Hospital upon his return to the states.

Presenting trombone music and interviewing trombone player Jim Beebe.

Presenting music of Northern Illinois University jazz ensemble with Louis Bellson and Ron Modell from a rough-mix tape entitled "Reflections of you.

Presenting music and interviewing studio musicians Pat Ferrari, Ron Steele and Jim Crockett editor of Guitar Play Magazine.

Don DeMichael, editor-in-chief of DownBeat, has brought a collection of jazz duets and critiques and evaluates the songs with Studs Terkel.

Presenting music performance with Charlie Byrd.

Musical performance of Buck Clayton, includes interview by Studs Terkel.

Presenting music with jazz pianist Barbara Carroll.

Presenting "Hard Times: An Oral History of the Great Depression" Chapter 3: Big Business & A Portrait of Two Women. William Benton credits Pepsodent's survival of the Great Depression to Amos 'n Andy. Arthur Robertson talks about the initial aftermath of the 1929 crash as a Wall Street businessman. Sidney Weinberg discusses the confusion on Wall Street after the crash and praises FDR's programs. Jimmy McPartland talks about the importance of working and the success of WPA to boost morale.

Studs discusses Roy Eldridge’s work as a jazz musician and recounts prevalent moments from his career.

Shel Silverstein discusses his books and children's literature, and art. Shel Silverstein discusses his contemporaries, art, and life experiences.