Hour One of this week’s Blues Before Sunrise opens the program with a vibrant mix of swing, jazz, and early rhythm and blues—laying the groundwork for everything that follows. Before the spotlight turns to Roosevelt Sykes later in the show, this first hour provides context, tracing the musical landscape that shaped the blues as it moved from big band sophistication into smaller, more rhythm-driven forms.

Tom Archia’s “Macomba Jump” gets things moving with a strong, sax-driven groove, immediately setting an upbeat and energetic tone. That momentum carries into a standout run from the King Cole Trio, whose recordings—“Little Joe from Chicago,” “Errand Boy for Rhythm,” “To Whom It May Concern,” and “That’s What”—blend jazz precision with blues feeling. Their tight arrangements and smooth delivery reflect a shift toward a more intimate, combo-based sound that would become increasingly important in the postwar years.

Lena Horne follows with “Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home,” “It’s Love,” and “Get Out of Town,” bringing elegance and vocal control into the mix. Her performances add a polished, theatrical quality while still connecting to the emotional core that runs through the blues tradition.

Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson injects a dose of grit with “Red Blues,” “Things Ain’t What They Used to Be,” “Is You Is,” and “Somebody’s Gotta Go.” His style bridges jazz and blues effortlessly, combining strong vocals with saxophone work that carries both swing and edge. It’s a reminder that the boundaries between genres were fluid, especially during this era.

The orchestral side of the hour comes into focus with Fletcher Henderson’s “My Sweet Tooth Says I Wanna,” “Malinda’s Wedding Day,” and “Roll On Mississippi Roll On.” These tracks highlight the sophistication of big band arrangements while still keeping rhythm at the forefront. In contrast, the Five Red Caps’ “Mary Had a Little Jam” brings things back to a smaller group feel, adding a playful and accessible touch.

Deryck Sampson’s “Steady Time Special” keeps the groove steady, while Marion Anderson’s “My Way’s Cloudy” provides one of the hour’s most emotionally resonant moments. Her powerful voice introduces a deeper, more reflective tone, hinting at the blues themes that will become more prominent as the show progresses.

Jim Wynn’s “J.W. Bop” closes the hour with a burst of energy, its driving rhythm and early R&B feel pointing directly toward the future. It’s a fitting conclusion—tying together the swing roots, blues feeling, and rhythmic evolution that define the hour.

Hour One works as both an introduction and a foundation. It captures a moment when jazz, swing, and blues were intersecting in new ways, creating the building blocks for modern rhythm and blues. By the time the hour ends, the listener is fully immersed, ready to move deeper into the blues journey that unfolds across the rest of the program.

Playlist – Hour One

Macomba Jump – Tom Archia

Little Joe from Chicago – King Cole Trio

Errand Boy for Rhythm – King Cole Trio

To Whom It May Concern – King Cole Trio

That’s What – King Cole Trio

Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home – Lena Horne

It’s Love – Lena Horne

Get Out of Town – Lena Horne

Red Blues – Eddie Cleanhead Vinson

Things Ain’t What They Used to Be – Eddie Cleanhead Vinson

Is You Is – Eddie Cleanhead Vinson

Somebody’s Gotta Go – Eddie Cleanhead Vinson

My Sweet Tooth Says I Wanna – Fletcher Henderson

Malinda’s Wedding Day – Fletcher Henderson

Roll On Mississippi Roll On – Fletcher Henderson

Mary Had a Little Jam – Five Red Caps

Steady Time Special – Deryck Sampson

My Way’s Cloudy – Marion Anderson

J.W. Bop – Jim Wynn