Music producer John Hammond and jazz critic for Down Beat magazine John McDonough discuss: Hammond's career; the artists he worked with; the artists he was the first to sign; social reform; and more. The following musical excerpts are played: "7 Come 11"; "Sauce"; "Talking Union"; "Blowing In the Wind"; "Today I Sing The Blues"; and "Live Embers".

Interviewing jazz violinist and composer Johnny Frigo.

Interviewing jazz violinist and composer Johnny Frigo.

Studs interviews Joe Venuti, who reflects on his career with various bands and shows. John McDonough cohosts the interview with Studs. Venuti speaks about various instruments he and others use in Jazz. He shares a story of how the depression affected him. Venuti discusses the pranks he pulled on people and other musicians he has worked with. The musical numbers are removed from this edited version of the original recording.

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.

Jimmy McPartland and Buddy Tate share stories of working with different musicians throughout their career and explain why Kansas City musicians are recognizable from other musicians. Music is played throughout from both of the musicians: "Logan Square"- Jimmy McPartland & Art Hodes, "When I'm Blue"- Buddy Tate, "I'm Coming Virginia"- Jimmy McPartland, "Kansas City Joys"- Buddy Tate, "Singin' the Blues Till My Daddy Comes Home"- Jimmy McPartland, "Tickle Toe"- Buddy Tate, "Riverboat Shuffle"- Jimmy McPartland, "Sunday"- Buddy Tate.

Bandleader, jazz musicologist and composer James Dapogny discusses his work in reviving the sound and art of jazz. Dapogny's work is mainly associated with his group James Dapogny's Chicago Jazz Band and his career in publishing lost works of Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton.

Interviewing editor and Chicago Tribune jazz critic Jack Fuller.

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.

Ira Sullivan, multi-instrumentalist and musician, discusses jazz music. Recorded songs are interspersed throughout their conversation.