Sweet and Low-Down (1944)

In the bustling city of Chicago, Benny Goodman and his band wrap up their annual free concert at the Dearborn Settlement, preparing to head to a military camp for their next performance. Amidst the chaos, a young boy, Tony Birch, slyly steals Goodman's coveted clarinet. In hot pursuit, Goodman and his manager Popsie find themselves in a humble tenement flat, captivated by the soulful trombone sounds of Tony's brother, Johnny Birch. Impressed by his talent, Goodman presents an unexpected opportunity for Johnny to join the band, overruling Popsie's objections. As the band travels by train, Johnny unwittingly stumbles into the compartment of the band's glamorous singer, Pat Sterling, earning himself a slap in the face. The military camp, a hive of youth and energy, turns out to be a boys' military academy, where Goodman's music finds an enthusiastic audience in the jitterbug-loving cadets. Trudy Wilson, masquerading as a sweet, 16-year-old friend of a cadet who is in fact her nephew, rekindles her relationship with Goodman and is introduced to Johnny, whose music she admires. Johnny, however, dismisses her, believing she is just a kid. Fast forward to New York City, where the band is rehearsing for their premiere at the chic Leopard Room. Johnny encounters Trudy again and is taken aback by her presence. Upon learning that Trudy is the sophisticated debutante daughter of a symphony association leader, Norman Wilson, Johnny decides she is beyond his reach. But music brings them together when he invites her to a jam session, and they inevitably fall for each other. Their romance faces a test at an upscale party at Trudy's mansion, where Goodman performs a Mozart Quintet. When Johnny's family unexpectedly appears and a snobbish guest passes a derogatory comment, a brawl breaks out. Johnny, feeling he has disgraced himself in front of Trudy, hands in his resignation to Goodman and storms out. In a surprising twist, Pat's manager convinces her to part ways with Goodman, promotes Johnny as a band leader, and engages the Goodman band to join them under Johnny's name, setting the stage for an unexpected musical journey.

Sweet and Low-Down is a music movie featuring Benny Goodman.

Sweet and Low-Down is currently streaming on fuboTV.