Barney Bigard

Will Handy grows up in Memphis with his preacher father and his Aunt Hagar. His father intends for him to use his musical gifts only in church, but he can't stay away from the music of the streets and workers. After he writes a theme song for a local politician, Gogo, a speakeasy singer, convinces Will to be her accompanist. Will is estranged from his father for many years while he writes and publishes many blues songs. At last the family is reunited when Gogo brings them to New York to see Will's music played by a symphony orchestra.

O famoso artista Glenn Miller (James Stewart) começa cedo a escrever sua história. Nos anos 30, ele entra nos negócios musicais e enfrenta algumas dificuldades iniciais como o fracasso de sua primeira banda de estrada. No entanto, ele não desiste e mais tarde casa-se com Helen Burger (June Allyson), que o acompanhará na sua trilha para o sucesso.

Duke Ellington and Orchestra perform 'C Jam Blues'.

A rising nineteen-year-old singer by the name of Billie Holiday made her screen debut in this musical landmark, which features Duke Ellington and his orchestra performing his symphonic jazz piece “A Rhapsody of Negro Life” set to scenes of everyday African American life.

Duke Ellington plays hot jazz in a fictional story that finds him down on his luck; he tries in vain to dissuade his friend, dancer Fredi Washington, from working with heart trouble even though it means work for his band. Sure enough, she collapses on stage...