We start things off with a jumpin’ mix of Kansas City swing and Harlem stride piano — a heady, fast-paced hour of pre-war and swing-era classics. Jimmy Rushing and Bennie Moten bring their powerful combination of vocals and driving rhythm, laying the foundation for what would eventually become the Count Basie sound. Jimmie Noone opens the hour with New Orleans-tinged clarinet joy, while Fletcher Henderson contributes three standout tracks showcasing how tightly arranged swing could still cook.

Helen Humes injects a bit of sass and sophistication with her three vocal cuts — cheeky, bluesy, and elegantly phrased. James P. Johnson, the godfather of stride piano, takes over mid-hour with virtuosic solo pieces like ‘Carolina Shout’ and ‘Snowy Morning Blues’ — music that feels like pure syncopated architecture. Pete Johnson and the Charioteers round out the piano and vocal textures, before Josephine Baker closes with a winking ode to dancefloor liberation.

This hour swings, struts, and shouts — a tribute to the fast-footed and sharp-dressed era that gave the blues its city suit and spats.Playlist

Playlist:

• Let’s Sow a Wild Oat – Jimmie Noone
• Malinda’s Wedding Day – Fletcher Henderson
• My Sweet Tooth Says I Wanna – Fletcher Henderson
• Roll On Mississippi Roll On – Fletcher Henderson
• New Orleans – Jimmy Rushing with Bennie Moten
• Won’t You Be My Baby – Jimmy Rushing with Bennie Moten
• That Too Do – Jimmy Rushing with Bennie Moten
• If Papa Has Outside Lovin’ – Helen Humes
• Do What You Did Last Night – Helen Humes
• Everybody Does It Now – Helen Humes
• The Harlem Strut – James P. Johnson
• Carolina Shout – James P. Johnson
• Worried & Lonesome Blues – James P. Johnson
• Snowy Morning Blues – James P. Johnson
• Running Wild – The Charioteers
• Kaycee Feeling – Pete Johnson
• I Love Dancing – Josephine Baker