In New York City during the Prohibition era, a talented jazz musician named Dixie Dwyer navigates the intricate and dangerous world of speakeasies and mobsters. He earns the favor of a powerful gangster, Dutch Schultz, which inadvertently pulls him deeper into the criminal underworld. Dixie’s musical abilities gain him entry into The Cotton Club, an iconic Harlem nightclub where African American performers shine under the spotlight for predominantly white audiences. While working there, he starts falling for Vera Cicero, a showgirl with ties to Schultz, further entangling his already complicated life.

Meanwhile, Sandman Williams, a gifted tap dancer, struggles with his own challenges both on and off the stage. As he seeks stardom at The Cotton Club, Sandman must confront racial prejudices and tensions that permeate the entertainment industry. His relationship with Lila, another performer at the club, adds personal dimensions to his professional aspirations. Both men’s lives intersect and unravel amid a backdrop of lustrous performances and gritty criminal activities, painting a vivid picture of a turbulent yet vibrant time in American history.