 Ware College is a small Black college in Ware, Ohio. Once prominent, it is now low in attendance, low in enrollment and low on money; and at a meeting with instructors Drury and Annabelle Brown, Dean Hargreaves reveals that CEO Benjamin Ware III, grandson of the college s founder, claims the estate of his late grandfather is now also destitute, which they believe is untrue and a result of Annabelle s having spurned his affections. They decide to appeal to their famous alumni for financial help thru a reunion, and invitations are sent. Many could help; but surely not Lucius Jordan, a timid lad who loved Annabelle too but dropped out under pressure from Ware. What they don t know is, he s now Louis Jordan, king of swing and leader of the Tympani Band. By accident, Jordan and his band s train is sidelined in Ware for repairs and when he learns of the college s plight, he agrees to pitch in. Though the stuffy faculty are unaware of his reputation, the kids are, and class attendance soars with Jordan s presence in the classroom. Flames of romance with Annabelle are rekindled. But things start looking bleak: other alumni are all declining to help, and Ware has found out about the fundraising scheme and orders the Dean to resign immediately... The plot serves as a structure for about a dozen swing numbers by Jordan s group, with dancing by the Aristo-Genes Girls  Club.