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

Studs interviews Jimmy McPartland, Jazz performer. McPartland speaks about his career and his wife, Marian, who is also a Jazz performer. McPartland names southern black artists, Bix Beiderbecke, Louis Armstrong, and Big Spider Back as major influences on his music. All musical numbers are removed from this edited version of the original recording.

Barrett Deems discusses his upbringing where he began drumming at age 4 and recalls touring with Louis Armstrong and other musicians. He also talks about meeting drummers in Africa. Music is played throughout: "Flip"- Joe Venuti, "Shine"- Barrett Deems Hottet, "Now You Has Jazz"- Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong (from "High Society"), "Muskrat Ramble"- Louis Armstrong, "Struttin' with Some Barbecue"- Louis Armstrong, "Slipped Disc"- Benny Goodman, "Stompin' at the Savoy"- Louis Armstrong. Music has been removed from this recording for copyright reasons.