Studs interviews Jabbo Smith and presents some of his musical performances. The musical pieces are removed from this edited version of the original recording. Smith shares the story of his childhood in the Jenkins Orphanage and how he came to learn music there. He discusses the songs he wrote and people he played with throughout his career and how he came out of retirement in Holland on the trombone.

Helen Humes discusses her career and touring with Count Basie and his orchestra. John McDonough is present for the interview and contributes. Songs sung by Helen are played throughout the interview: "He May Be Your Man", "Song of the Wanderer", "If I Could Be with You for One Hour Tonight" (2 recordings- one from 1940 and one from 1977), "Unlucky Woman", "They Can't Take That Away From Me", "Today I Sing the Blues", and "They Raided the Joint". Music has been removed for copyright reasons.

Part 2 of the program continues with Dizzy Gillespie discovering the following: his jazz style; his interactions with other musicians; and his latin musical influences. The following Gillespie musical excerpts are played: "Tin Tin Deo"; "La Lorraine"; and an musical piece (with an undisclosed title) is played to end the program.

Part 1 of this program begins with Studs Terkel reading an excerpt from the book "Giants of Jazz" , which describes Dizzy Gillespie's early life. Gillespie discusses the following: the state of jazz; his fellow musicians; jazz contributors; jazz fundamentals; and his tours abroad. Gillespie's "Groovin' High" is played towards the end of this part of the program.

Dempsey Travis, author and jazz historian, recalls his memories meeting Jazz artists of the 1920-1940s. Some artists discussed include Jimmie Lunceford, Sy Oliver, Duke Ellington, Chick Webb, Chu Berry, Andy Kirk and others. Travis also discusses his father and his own time playing Jazz.