Hour One of the Annual Ice & Snow Program doesn’t begin with frostbite or complaint. Instead, it lights the fire. Before the cold settles in for good, this opening hour surrounds the listener with warmth, swing, and elegance. It’s the sound of people gathering indoors, shaking snow from their coats, and letting music do what weather cannot — change the temperature of the room.
The hour opens with the King Cole Trio’s “Hip Hip Hooray,” a perfect curtain-raiser. Nat King Cole’s piano touch and relaxed vocal delivery immediately establish comfort and charm. This is music that smiles back at you, offering reassurance before the night deepens. Cab Calloway follows with a playful run of recordings that showcase his unmatched ability to turn exuberance into insulation. “Do You Wanna Jump Children,” “Long Long Ago,” and “Twee Twee Tweet” radiate humor and rhythmic joy, reminding listeners that laughter has always been one of the blues’ best survival tools.
Calloway’s “The Fuehrer’s Got the Jitters” adds bite beneath the swing. Even in the depths of winter and wartime uncertainty, satire becomes a form of resistance. That mix of intelligence and energy keeps the hour from drifting into nostalgia; this is living music, not background noise.
Ivy Anderson’s trio of songs — “Killin’ Myself,” “Rocks in My Bed,” and “Rug Cutter” — shifts the mood toward intimacy. Anderson’s voice is expressive and grounded, capable of conveying heartbreak without melodrama. Her performances feel personal, like conversations held close to the heater. The warmth here isn’t carefree; it’s earned.
The Mills Brothers follow with “And the Angels Sing” and “South of the Border,” their tight harmonies acting like a blanket pulled up around the shoulders. Their sound is smooth but never slick, rooted in vocal tradition and emotional clarity. The Charioteers continue that approach with “I Understand” and “Stardust,” songs that lean into reflection rather than escape. Winter encourages memory, and these tracks honor that instinct.
Maurice Rocco’s “Why Don’t You Do Right” brings piano-driven attitude into the room, sharp and confident. It’s a reminder that winter doesn’t dull wit or edge. Ethel Waters’ “Blues in My Heart” deepens the emotional register, her voice carrying the weight of experience and restraint. Few singers could balance elegance and sorrow so completely.
Alberta Hunter’s “Drifting Tide” feels like a moment of quiet reflection, the sound of someone watching snow fall and thinking about distance — emotional or physical. Adelaide Hall’s performance of “Baby,” with Duke Ellington’s influence woven in, restores sophistication and swing, bridging jazz and blues seamlessly.
Paul Quinichette’s “Sandstone” closes the hour with cool assurance. His Lester Young–influenced tenor saxophone glides effortlessly, suggesting motion without urgency. It’s the perfect transition point: warm enough to keep you listening, calm enough to let the cold wait outside a little longer.
Hour One doesn’t deny winter’s presence. It prepares you for it. By the time the hour ends, the room feels warmer, the night feels manageable, and the listener is ready to go deeper into the cold — with music as protection.
Hour 1 Playlist
- Hip Hip Hooray – King Cole Trio
- Do You Wanna Jump Children – Cab Calloway
- Long Long Ago – Cab Calloway
- Twee Twee Tweet – Cab Calloway
- The Fuehrer’s Got the Jitters – Cab Calloway
- Killin’ Myself – Ivy Anderson
- Rocks in My Bed – Ivy Anderson
- Rug Cutter – Ivy Anderson
- And the Angels Sing – Mills Brothers
- South of the Border – Mills Brothers
- I Understand – The Charioteers
- Stardust – The Charioteers
- Why Don’t You Do Right – Maurice Rocco
- Blues in My Heart – Ethel Waters
- Drifting Tide – Alberta Hunter
- Baby – Adelaide Hall / Duke Ellington
- Sandstone – Paul Quinichette