Starting at a young age, Ramsey Lewis really loved music and as he got older, he'd practice five or six hours a day. Lewis says he knew nothing about jazz until he met Wallace Burton at the age of 15. Burton hired Lewis on the spot to play in his band. Church music, Spanish music, Duke Ellington and the Beatles, says Lewis, were all great influences to him.

While in town for the Chicago Jazz Festival, Sam Pilafian and Gerhard Meinl discuss the history of the tuba. With demonstrations on the tuba, they play scales and other short pieces. Gerhard Meinl's family business of making instruments like the tuba has been around since 1810, explained Meinl.

The dulcimer is not only a musical instrument that John Jacob Niles plays, but he builds them too. Playing some scales, Niles gives a brief demonstration of the dulcimer, Niles explained people often requested he play his love songs. Niles believed love is something that is easily relatable to many people.

In addition to talking about Senegalese music, Gana M'Bow goes over the history of the "talking drum." M'Bow also plays various songs from Senegal and West Africa. Through the State Department, M'Bow was touring various cities across the US.

Willard Van Dyke, cinematographer and co-director of documentaries like "The City" and "The River," talks about 20th century American history and how it effected the arts. Using his documentaries and other artists' work, he explores how the Great Depression, World War II, and the Cold War changed American art and culture. He discusses Public Works of Art, war propaganda, and McCarthyism and their challenges for artists. Near the end of this interview, Van Dyke discusses the changes in modern still photography and documentaries as Americans forget history.

Using past recordings, Ella discusses how she works with children to help them find their rhythms using call and response music and percussion. She explains the West African and Latin music influences within her own music. Music played includes Jenkins' own music such as "Miss Mary Mack," "Tahboo," and "Where Has My Little Dog Gone?" She also plays song written by Carl Orff and performed by the Chorus of the Children's Opera Group, such s "Pat-a-Cake," and "Name-Calling." Untitled West African music is also played. Music has been removed due to copyright restrictions.

Jazz singer Kurt Elling discusses his musical influences, new and past music, and the path of his career.

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.

Donald Luce had been living & helping the people of South Vietnam through the International Voluntary Service. Luce believed it was important to come back to the states to talk about the problems in Vietnam. Luce said the Vietnamese government could not provide its people waste disposal, electricity and running water. Luce went to Congress to voice his concerns. It was at the State Department who didn't seem to care all to much.