Hour One of this week’s Blues Before Sunrise opens with a stylish collection of vocal jazz, swing, rhythm and blues, and harmony-group recordings that perfectly set the tone for another memorable five-hour journey through America’s musical past. Featuring some of the most elegant voices and accomplished performers of the twentieth century, the hour combines sophistication, warmth, and timeless musical craftsmanship.

The program begins with the Ink Spots and “No Wonder,” a recording that immediately showcases the smooth vocal harmonies and relaxed delivery that made the group one of the most influential vocal ensembles in popular music history. Their unique style would influence generations of harmony groups and early rhythm-and-blues artists.

Dinah Washington takes center stage with a remarkable series of recordings that remind listeners why she earned the title “Queen of the Blues.” “Million Dollar Smile,” “Slick Chick on the Mellow Side,” “Is You Is or Is You Ain’t,” and “A Slip of the Lip” highlight her extraordinary ability to move effortlessly between jazz, blues, and popular music. Washington possessed one of the most expressive voices of her era, bringing personality and emotional depth to every performance.

The spotlight then shifts to Billy Eckstine during his years with the Earl Hines Orchestra. Recordings such as “Water Boy,” “Skylark,” “Stormy Monday Blues,” and “Jelly Jelly” capture Eckstine during the formative period of a career that would eventually make him one of the most successful male vocalists of the postwar era. His rich baritone voice and impeccable phrasing helped establish a new standard for jazz vocal performance.

Ernestine Anderson follows with four outstanding selections: “It Don’t Mean a Thing,” “Black Moonlight,” “Land of Dreams,” and “They Didn’t Believe Me.” Anderson’s elegant style and remarkable interpretive skills made her one of the most respected jazz singers of her generation. These performances demonstrate her ability to breathe new life into both standards and lesser-known material.

The Charioteers contribute the charming “Cottage in Old Donegal,” continuing the hour’s emphasis on sophisticated vocal harmony. The group’s polished arrangements and precise vocal blend made them one of the most popular harmony groups of the 1940s and early 1950s.

Instrumental variety arrives with “Boogie in C” by Deryck Sampson, offering an energetic piano-driven performance that provides a change of pace from the vocal-centered selections that dominate much of the hour.

The Nicholas Brothers, celebrated worldwide for their extraordinary dance routines, appear with “Your Heart and Mine.” While best remembered for their legendary film performances, the brothers were also accomplished entertainers whose recordings reflected the same charm and professionalism that defined their stage appearances.

Closing the hour is organist Milt Buckner with “Night Mist.” Buckner’s innovative keyboard style influenced generations of jazz and rhythm-and-blues musicians, and his warm, atmospheric performance provides a fitting conclusion to an hour built around elegance, sophistication, and timeless musical artistry.

From the vocal mastery of Dinah Washington and Billy Eckstine to the smooth harmonies of the Ink Spots and Charioteers, Hour One presents a rich collection of recordings that highlight the close relationship between jazz, blues, and popular music during the middle decades of the twentieth century.

Playlist – Hour One

No Wonder – Ink Spots
Million Dollar Smile – Dinah Washington
Slick Chick on the Mellow Side – Dinah Washington
Is You Is or Is You Ain’t – Dinah Washington
A Slip of the Lip – Dinah Washington
Water Boy – Billy Eckstine & Earl Hines Orchestra
Skylark – Billy Eckstine & Earl Hines Orchestra
Stormy Monday Blues – Billy Eckstine & Earl Hines Orchestra
Jelly Jelly – Billy Eckstine & Earl Hines Orchestra
It Don’t Mean a Thing – Ernestine Anderson
Black Moonlight – Ernestine Anderson
Land of Dreams – Ernestine Anderson
They Didn’t Believe Me – Ernestine Anderson
Cottage in Old Donegal – Charioteers
Boogie in C – Deryck Sampson
Your Heart and Mine – Nicholas Brothers
Night Mist – Milt Buckner