In December 1950, Samuel Charters first journeyed to New Orleans in search of its jazz sources and its musicians. In December 2005, more than half a century later, he returned to his beloved city to find what still was left of this musical heritage after the catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina.

In this portrait, Charters describes staying with his son's family in their small, temporary apartment, as he explores the new music scene in the undamaged French Quarter and revisits old haunts like the celebrated Preservation Hall.

Charters introduces us to music from Hot 8, The Soul Rebels, The Rebirth Brass Band, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Johnny Vidacovich, Barry Martyn, Lars Edegran, Chuck Badie, Michael White, Coco Robicheaux, Billy Edwards and many others.