Discussing the book "The New Grove Dictionary of American Music". They talk about American music and musicians of all kinds and from different periods. Includes Charles Ive's song "At the River" sung by Cleo Laine in the middle of the program.

Red Saunders discusses jazz music and jazz musicians.

Studs interviews George Shearing about his career and performances at Rick's Cafe in Chicago. Shearing shares the events and people who influenced his Jazz music. He describes European audiences and studio musicians. Studs quotes Leonard Feather, music critic, on Shearing's take on the song "San Jose." The musical pieces are removed from this edited version of the original recording.

Studs interviews Bobby Short, an African American composer, vocalist, and pianist. Short describes his performances and interpretations of songs by Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Noel Coward, and George Gershwin. Studs reads a letter written to short from Coward requesting that Short sing his songs. Studs and Bobby discuss composer and singer styles. The musical pieces are removed from this edited version of the original recording.

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.

Studs interview with Sylvia Syms about her career through the years and the people who influenced her. They discuss Jazz music and composers who Syms calls poets. The music numbers are removed from this edited version.

Studs interviews Billy Taylor about his career in Jazz. Taylor shares stories about other Jazz musicians who influenced him. They discuss the improvisation in Jazz music, drug addiction of musicians, and the work Taylor is doing with the Jazz Mobile. Taylor discusses the different sounds of Jazz and describes the White House Jazz Festival that President Jimmy Carter hosted. This edited version does not include the music that is in the original version.

Studs interviews Billy Taylor about his performance at the Rick's Cafe at the Holiday Inn in Chicago. They discuss what has influenced Billy Taylor's jazz music. Taylor explains some of his work with various other jazz musicians. This edited version does not include the music recordings.

Studs interviews Billy Taylor (Jazz pianist and commentator for Jazz Alive radio program), who discusses the creativity of jazz musicians, the Jazz Mobile, and relationships between musicians. Taylor also mentions a large variety of Jazz musician influences. Studs plays various pieces of Jazz from a diverse pool of musicians. Taylor provides details about the Jazz Mobile's traveling show and education of Jazz music. There are no music recordings in this edited version.

Studs Terkel and Billy Taylor discuss the book "Jazz Piano: History and Development". They discuss jazz musicians and the history of jazz music. Includes excerpts of drums, piano, and orchestra playing in the background.