American jazz pianist Ray Charles entertains at a London institute for blind children and meets David, a blind 8-year-old boy, and his widowed mother, Peggy Harrison. Charles becomes fond of the boy; but he and Steve Collins, a young composer-pianist romantically involved with Peggy, worry about her overprotective attitude toward David. Steve does some arrangements for Charles's band, and Charles asks Steve to accompany the band to Paris. Steve wants Peggy and David to come along, but she is afraid that the trip would be harmful to David. In Paris, Steve resumes an affair with Gina, a socialite. Peggy and David come to Paris, however, when Charles tells him that he has met an eye surgeon who believes there is a chance to restore the boy's sight by a dangerous operation, for which Charles wants to pay. Peggy is grateful but apprehensive until Gina persuades her to take the risk. The operation is performed on the day that Charles presents Steve's first major composition. David's operation is successful and there appears to be a good chance that his sight will return; Steve's composition is well received, and he and Peggy are reunited.