As a child, Jeff Lambert hangs out in New Orleans' Basin Street, playing hot swing on his clarinet instead of the classics his father prefers. He's inspired by an African-American group there and, some years later, at the turn of the century, sets out to form a jazz band of his own. Patterned after the story of trombonist Jack Teagarden of the Original Dixieland Jazz Group.

Dancing star Jed Potter and singer/nightclub owner Johnny Adams are both in love with songstress Mary O'Hara. She marries Johnny, but his passion for buying and selling nightclubs drives them apart. So Jed steps in, hoping to win Mary's heart - until fate steps in and changes the lives of all three.