During World War II era Japan, jazz was considered the music of the enemy. Just as liquor was drunk in secret during Prohibition, jazz was played in secret until the occupation forces allowed musicians to play without fear of reprisals. They frequently played in U.S. military clubs, like the "Enlisted Men's Club", the film's fictitious main locale. Scottish actor Peter Mullan ("Trainspotting") plays the club owner, Jim, a host to weary soldiers who need a place to unwind. Conflict arises with Russell (Shae Whigham), a bitter jazz prodigy who lost a brother in war, often at odds with band leader Masato Hagiwara ("Cure, Chaos, Go"). Joe Odagiri ("Azumi") is a survivor of the atomic devastation in Nagasaki, and Claude Maki ("Brother," "A Scene at the Sea") plays the English speaking Kelly, a nisei (American-born Japanese) who provides security at the club. Rounding out the cast is perpetual villain Sho Aikawa ("Dead or Alive," "Blood Brothers") as a black marketeer and popular singer/actress Aki Maeda ("Battle Royale").