Studs Terkel interviews Mary Lou Williams and her manager, Father Peter O'Brien. They discuss music, musicians, and instruments. Some clips of piano music playing at the end.

Studs interviews Mary Collins about her husband, Lee Collins. They discuss the book that she and Lee wrote together until his death in 1960. Mary shares interesting stories of Lee’s experiences when he toured. She and Studs reflect on the other artists that Lee Collins worked with and those that influenced his music. Mary shares the story of how she and Lee reconnected in Chicago. She explains how Lee’s depression because of his health led to his attempted suicide and the horrible way he was treated at the psychiatric hospital.

When the announcement was made, to let the audience know the opera singer they came to see would not be performing but that Martina Arroyo would be singing the part of Aida, Arroyo recalls that you could hear the crowd groan all the way in Chicago. Arroyo talks about singing in the operas. She also talks about even though she may have a starring role in the opera, the show is not hers, but rather everyone in the company works hard to put out a good production.

When the announcement was made, to let the audience know the opera singer they came to see would not be performing but that Martina Arroyo would be singing the part of Aida, Arroyo recalls that you could hear the crowd groan all the way in Chicago. Arroyo talks about singing in the operas. She also talks about even though she may have a starring role in the opera, the show is not hers, but rather everyone in the company works hard to put out a good production.

Martin Gottfried discusses his book "Broadway Musicals" and the history of the musicals by evaluating the different big name composers, lyricists, and directors of Broadway.

Martin Duberman, historian and biographer, discusses his latest work which focuses on the singer, actor, and political activist Paul Robeson. Robeson was known for his performance in Showboat and Emperor Jones.

Marjorie Guthie, the widow of folk singer of Woody Guthrie is in town for a fundraiser, raising money for Huntington's disease. Woody Guthrie died of the disease, which was passed down from his mother. Marjorie Guthrie also reflects on her courtship with Woody and she also talks about his music.

Marilyn Horne and Henry Lewis discuss their careers, opera music, and their operatic roles. They also discuss cross-gender roles in opera and Marilyn Horne's role as Romeo in the opera "Capuleti e i Montecchi" by Vincenzo Bellini. Includes clips of Marilyn Horne singing an opera song at the beginning, an opera song by Gioachino Rossini, and a song from Charles Gounod's opera "Sapho."*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations 

Marilyn Horne and Henry Lewis discuss their careers, roles, and opera. Includes Marilyn Horne singing a song from Ludwig von Beethoven's "Fidelio".

Studs interviews Marian McPartland, who is in Chicago to perform at Rick's Cafe and the Chicago Public Library. They discuss her various performances and recorded albums. McPartland shares techniques of playing Jazz with a piano. She discusses people and events that influenced her music. The musical numbers are removed from this edited version of the original recording.

Marian McPartland discusses jazz music, her husband Jimmy McPartland, and her career.

Marian McPartland discusses her career, the role of women in jazz, and jazz music.

Studs interviews Jimmy and Marian McPartland. The McPartlands reflect on the people who influenced their music in Jazz. Studs quotes Jimmy McPartland and reads part of a critic's column about Marian in the Chicago Sun Times. Marian shares a little about what it is like to be a female musician in Jazz. Both discuss their past career and their futures. Jimmy reflects on his hard times in the 1920s-1930s. The musical numbers are removed from this edited version of the original recording.

Studs interviews Marian and Jimmy McPartland. The McPartlands reflect on those in Jazz who have influenced them. Studs talks to Marian about women in Jazz. They discuss the Jazz audience. The musical numbers are removed from this edited version of the original recording.

Marian Anderson talks about her singing career, including her singing in Sunday School and her first singing experience in 4th grade. She shares how she interprets the songs she sings. Includes Studs reading the poem "Gertrude" by Gwendolyn Brooks. The interview takes place in Anderson's suite in the Sheraton Blackstone in Chicago.