Charlie and Dizzy are young music makers who are enlisted by Duke and the Jazz Cats. They learn the art of leading a band and the fundamentals of jazz.  But they soon get the attention of the Dough Heads that control all music, led by MUZAK and A.I..

When Dizzy is convinced to go back, Charlie stages a dramatic rescue.  Roots, embarrassed by their child's hate of music, helps Dizzy to escape by playing his old jazz records.  Once Dizzy is back, the Jazz Fest is saved and Charlie, Dizzy and Roots become members of the Jazz Cats.

Groove is a musical theatre piece that teaches a young audience the concepts, principles, and features of the jazz music idiom, and about popular music thereafter. The audience should understand that jazz is not just a style of music, but rather a whole discipline.  Groove's script is based on jazz history, modern music genres, and a fun narrative.  This piece can also teach an aspect of American history through the uniquely American art form of jazz.

As a school teacher, Richard Clarke is passionate about teaching his audience the general music principles found in any American music classroom.  For example, the musical elements of pitch, duration, tempo, and dynamics; the musical materials of melody, rhythm, harmony, and counterpoint; as well as other music theory categories through varied styles, character traits, and dialogue.  Groove is meant to entertain, teach, and encourage young musicians to invent, improvise, and compose - like all good jazz musicians do!

Jazz is not a style!  Jazz is gossip, play, not grown-up.  Jazz is a world unto itself, of many styles, genres, and traditions.  Jazz is an American cultural marvel!