Hour One of this week’s Blues Before Sunrise opens the program with a lively mix of swing-era jazz, theatrical vocal performances, blues-infused big band music, and boogie-woogie piano. The selections capture the excitement and sophistication of Black popular music during the 1930s and early 1940s, setting an energetic tone before the program gradually moves toward deeper blues and gospel territory later in the night.
Cab Calloway dominates the opening portion of the hour with “Geechy Joe,” “Cab Calloway’s Hi-De-Ho,” and “Cab Calloway’s Jitterbug Party.” These recordings showcase the theatrical side of swing music at its peak. Calloway’s voice, humor, and larger-than-life personality helped turn jazz performance into full entertainment spectacle, and the movie soundtrack selections especially reflect the visual excitement associated with the big-band era.
Blanche Calloway follows with a run of elegant and emotionally expressive recordings including “It Looks Like Susie,” “Without That Gal,” “When I Can’t Be With You,” and “Make Me Know It.” While often overshadowed historically by her brother Cab, Blanche brought sophistication and warmth to her recordings, balancing jazz phrasing with blues feeling.
Lil Armstrong’s set shifts the mood toward piano blues and urban nightlife atmosphere. “Safely Locked Up in My Heart,” “Everything’s Wrong,” “Harlem on a Saturday Night,” and “Knock-Kneed Sal” highlight her strong piano style and sharp vocal delivery. Armstrong’s recordings carry both toughness and humor, offering vivid snapshots of city life and late-night entertainment culture.
Eddie Johnson contributes instrumental momentum with “Tip-Toe,” “Twin Rock,” and “Walk Softly.” His recordings provide a dance-oriented rhythmic foundation that keeps the hour moving while adding strong swing-era horn arrangements into the mix.
The final stretch of the hour broadens stylistically. The Four Vagabonds’ “P.S. I Love You” introduces smooth vocal harmony, while Meade Lux Lewis’ “Glendale Glide” delivers classic boogie-woogie piano with rolling left-hand rhythms and energetic improvisation. Josephine Baker’s “La Conga Blicoti” adds an international flavor and cabaret sophistication before Doc Bagby closes the hour with the charming “You’re So Delightful.”
What makes Hour One especially effective is its sense of movement and atmosphere. The performances evoke crowded dance halls, Harlem nightlife, theater stages, and after-hours clubs where jazz, blues, and swing music blended together naturally. Even with the variety of styles represented, the hour maintains a unified spirit built around rhythm, personality, and performance energy.
It’s an opening hour full of confidence and motion—music designed not only to be heard, but experienced.
Playlist – Hour One
Geechy Joe – Cab Calloway
Cab Calloway’s Hi-De-Ho – Cab Calloway
Cab Calloway’s Jitterbug Party – Cab Calloway
It Looks Like Susie – Blanche Calloway
Without That Gal – Blanche Calloway
When I Can’t Be With You – Blanche Calloway
Make Me Know It – Blanche Calloway
Safely Locked Up in My Heart – Lil Armstrong
Everything’s Wrong – Lil Armstrong
Harlem on a Saturday Night – Lil Armstrong
Knock-Kneed Sal – Lil Armstrong
Tip-Toe – Eddie Johnson
Twin Rock – Eddie Johnson
Walk Softly – Eddie Johnson
P.S. I Love You – Four Vagabonds
Glendale Glide – Meade Lux Lewis
La Conga Blicoti – Josephine Baker
You’re So Delightful – Doc Bagby