Jedidiah (Jetty) Chesnutt is a young, African-American trumpet player living in pre 9/11 New York City. Jetty is struggling to find balance between his professional goals and his personal relationships. The dwindling jazz community in the city and the lack of interest in jazz among many of his contemporaries are making it difficult for him to achieve his professional aspirations. To add to his woes, his girlfriend Kendra is pressuring him to marry. Uncertainty about his career, and a foray into an interracial relationship with Elise Headley, a vibrant and sexy jazz singer from California, force Jetty to make a decision that could forever alter his relationship with the woman he loves.