Atomic Age Cocktail Party

Atomic Age Cocktail Party

Saturdays at 11pm & Sundays at 10pm on WILL-FM

The show, simply put, is a celebration of the golden age of the hi-fi and beyond! It's American popular music from the 1950s and 1960s with a few modern numbers thrown in for good measure.

Atomic Mixer (1038)

It's an Atomic Mixer! We have a sampling of all the great music we bring you week after week. We’ll hear from Blossom Dearie, Yma Sumac, Tony Bennett, The Martini Kings, and many more.

Atomic Age logo with an illustrations of a multi-piece band playing. Text reads Episode 1036 Atomic Age logo with an illustrations of a man sitting on top of a martini shaker. Records with atomic rings fly around him. Text reads Episode 1038 Atomic Mixer
Play Listen

Strangers In the Night (1037)

This time around, we're "Strangers in the Night." It's look at all those great nighttime-themed songs of the hi-fi era. We’ll hear from The Randy Heller Percussionists, Carmen McRae, David Rose & His Orchestra, Jackie Davis, and more!

Atomic Age logo with an illustrations of a multi-piece band playing. Text reads Episode 1036 Atomic Age logo with an illustrations of a woman and a man at a bar enjoying cocktials. A bartender looks on. Text reads Episode 1037 Strangers In the Night
Play Listen

Big Band Hi-Fi (1036)

It's a celebration of Big Band music during the hi-fi era, this time on the program. On this bill, music from Anita O’Day, Jimmy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and many more!

Atomic Age logo with an illustrations of a multi-piece band playing. Text reads Episode 1036 Big Band Hi-Fi
Play Listen

Over The Moon (1035)

This time on the show, we look up at the skies for songs from the hi-fi era inspired by the moon. We’ll have selections from Esquivel, Dinah Washington, Buddy Greco, The Out-Islanders, and many more.

Atomic Age logo with illustrations of the moon. Text reads Episode 1035 Over The Moon
Play Listen

Samba, Rhumba, Cha Cha Cha (1034)

Get on your dancing shoes on because this time we’re looking at the samba, rhumba, and the cha-cha-cha. We’ll get a sampling of some of the fun and sometimes strange records that came out highlighting these musical styles. We'll hear from Dean Martin, Peggy Lee, Xavier Cugat, Art Mooney, and many more.

Atomic Age logo with an illustration of feet and dance steps. Text reads Episode 1034 Samba Rhumba Cha Cha Cha
Play Listen

Group Project (1033)

On the show this week, it’s a Group Project. A look at duos, trio, quartets and other combos during the lounge era. We’ve got the Hi-Lo's, Al Hirt & Ann-Margaret, The Brass Ring, Baja Marimba Band, Ferrante & Teicher, and many more.

Atomic Age logo with an illustration of four men standing and singing into a mictrophone. Text reads Episode 1033 Group Project
Play Listen

Just One Word (1032)

On program this time, Just One Word! Popular songs of the lounge era that only needed one word in their titles. We’ll hear from Eddie Fisher, Martin Denny, Rosemary Clooney, Jo Stafford, and more.

Atomic Age logo with an illustration of woman's head with an empty word box to her left. Text reads Episode 1032 Just One Word
Play Listen

Music for Nightcaps (1031)

This time on the show, it's Music for Nightcaps. An hour of wonderful and lush sounds for end-of-the-evening cocktails featuring selections from Jackie Gleason, the 101 Strings, Paul Weston, The Norman Luboff Choir, George Shearing, and many more.

Atomic Age logo with an illustration of woman and a man sharing cocktails. Text reads Episode 1031 Music for Nightcaps
Play Listen

The Stars Sing (1030)

This time around, we’re going Hollywood! It’s stars of the big and small screens, who weren’t normally singers, trying their hands at making music. We’ll hear from Yvonne De Carlo, Robert Conrad, Maureen O'Hara, Sophia Loren, and many more!

Atomic Age logo with an illustration of a movie crew with a film camera and lights. Text reads Episode 1030 The Stars Sing
Play Listen

It’s A Blue World (1029)

On the show this week, It’s A Blue World. A look at how lounge music approached "The Blues." We’ll hear from Eartha Kitt, Chet Baker, Sammy Davis Jr., and a rare recording of songwriter Harold Arlen singing one of his biggest numbers.

Atomic Age logo with an illustration of a sad man in hat and coat out in the wind. Text reads Episode 1029 It's A Blue World
Play Listen

Henry Mancini (1028)

We put the spotlight on the cool and swank sounds of Henry Mancini. We’ll hear from the man himself, as well as see how others of the hi-fi era interpreted his music.

Atomic Age logo with an illustration of Henry Mancini. Text reads Episode 1028 Henry Mancini
Play Listen

Summertime (1027)

This time on the program, we celebrate the season with a show featuring Summertime songs. Buddy Greco gets things hot, Jack Jones makes some promises, Percy Faith visits his Summer Place, plus many other summer-themed tunes.

Atomic Age logo with an illustration of a man and a woman on a blanket listening to a radio. Text reads Episode 1027 Summertime
Play Listen

Blue Plate Special (1026)

It's an hour of songs about food! We’ll share some BBQ with Jonah Jones, The Andrews Sisters talk about their favorite dish, Peggy Lee gives us some sugar, plus a whole lot more.

Atomic Age logo with an illustration of waiter holding a covered tray. Text reads Episode 1026 Blue Plate Special
Play Listen

Cool (1025)

We’re playing it cool this time on the program. It's look at the notion of what it meant to be “cool” during the hi-fi era. Music from Neal Hefti, Del Close and John Brent, King Curtis, Cy Coleman, and many more.

Atomic Age logo with an illustration of a winking man. Text reads Episode 1025 Cool
Play Listen

Grooving Guitars (1024)

We’re all about Grooving Guitars this time on the program. We feature some of the players and innovators of the hi-fi era including Les Paul, Al Caiola, Wes Montgomery, Howard Roberts, Tony Mottola, and many more.

Atomic Age logo with an illustration of a guitar on an open book. Text reads Episode 1024 Grooving Guitars
Play Listen

Count ‘Em Up (1023)

On the show this week, it’s time to Count ‘Em Up! Songs about numbers: One Note Sambas, Two Sleepy People, Three Coins in the Fountain, and a whole lot of guys named Moe. Featuring music from Bobby Troup, Xavier Cugat, Esquivel, Louis Jordan, and many more.

Atomic Age logo with various numbers in differnt fonts scattered throughout. Text reads Episode 1023 Count ‘Em Up
Play Listen

Percussions on Parade (1022)

This time on the program, we've got the beat. And the boom. And the pow. it's an hour of hi-fi percussion from folks including Don Ralke, The Frank Barber Percussion, Augie Colon, Les Baxter and more!

Atomic Age logo with illustrations of drums, cymbals, xylophone, and triangle. Text reads Episode 1022 Percussions on Parade
Play Listen

Broadway Bound (1021)

We’re Broadway Bound this time on the program! Tons of swinging hi-fi versions of tunes from the Great White Way from shows like Guys and Dolls, The Pajama Game, Kiss Me Kate, Bye Bye Birdie, and a lot more.

Atomic Age logo with a cartoon illustration of a man with a tophat and cane and a woman in a coast holding the leash of a small dog looking at sigh with theater masks on it. Text reads Episode 1021 Broadway Bound
Play Listen

Bossa Nova Heat (1020)

On the program this week, we're feeling the bossa nova heat! We have lots of tunes from the greats like Antonio Carlos Jobim, Stan Getz & João Gilberto, and Walter Wanderley. Plus many other who were part of the bossa nova craze.

Atomic Age logo with a cartoon illustration of a man and a woman dancing. Text reads Episode 1020 Bossa Nova Heat
Play Listen

TV Time (1019)

This time around, we’re enjoying a little TV Time. It's great television themes from the Atomic Age. We’ll visit detective shows like Peter Gunn, The M Squad, and Perry Mason, plus spy shows, and a few other surprises.

Atomic Age logo with an illustration of a television set. Text reads Episode 1019 TV Time
Play Listen

Crooners (1018)

We're all about crooners this time on the program. A look at some of our favorite male singers of the lounge era. We'll hear from Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Mel Tormé, Vic Damone, Nat King Cole, and more.

Atomic Age logo with a cartoon illustration of a man standing next to a microphone and singing. Text reads Episode 1018 Crooners
Play Listen

Tropical Treasures (1017)

This week on The Atomic Age Cocktail Party, it’s a show that featurs lots of exotica escapism. We have slices of musical paradise from Arthur Lyman, Robert Drasnin, Jeri Southern, Eden Ahbez and more.

Atomic Age logo with an illustration of a tropical landscape. There's an image of a palm tree on the left and a portrait of a woman with long hair with flowers a the top of her head. Text reads Episode 1017 Tropical Treasures
Play Listen

Cole Porter (1016)

We're putting the spotlight on the songs of Cole Porter this time on the program. In particular, a look at how hi-fi artists interpretated his music. We hear from Bob Thompson and His Orchestra, Sarah Vaughan, David Rose, and even Stan Freberg.

Atomic Age logo with an illustration of a portrait of Cole Porter. Text reads Episode 1016 21st Cole Porter
Play Listen

21st Century Lounge (1015)

This time on the program, we look at all the great artists keeping the lounge flame alive in the 21st century! Music from Michael Bublé, Ricki Derek,The Martini Kings, Don Tiki, The Tikiyaki Orchestra, and more!

Atomic Age logo with an illustration of a laptop computer with a drawing of a jazz trio on the screen. Text reads Episode 1015 21st Century Lounge
Play Listen

Time After Time (1014)

In honor of WILL's 100th anniversary, it's a show called Time After Time featuring songs about the passage of time. We have tunes about minutes, hours, days, years, and more!

Atomic Age logo with an illustration of a hourglass with sand falling from the top to bottom. Text reads Episode 1014 Time After Time.
Play Listen

Musical Colors (1013)

This time on The Atomic Age Cocktail Party, it’s Musical Colors, featuring songs that cover all the colors in the rainbow. Deep Purples, Yellow Days, Green Eyes, Blue Skies, and so much more!

Atomic Age logo with an illustration of an artist's palette with color splotches and a small paint brush. Text reads Episode 1013 Musical Colors.
Play Listen

In Orbit (1012)

This time, we focus on the "space" part of Space Age Bachelor Pad Music! We'll have cosmic selections from Baxter, David Rose & His Orchestra, Ferrante & Teicher, Louis Prima, and more!

Atomic Age logo with an illustration of planet Earth with a rocket on the left side and a satellite on the right. Text reads Episode 1012 In Orbit.
Play Listen

Outrageous Organs (1011)

On The Atomic Age Cocktail Party this time around, it's Outrageous Organs! It's a swinging look at all the wild and cool organ music of the hi-fi era.

Atomic Age logo with an illustration of an organ. Text reads Episode 1011 Outrageous Organs
Play Listen

Ladies of Lounge (1010)

This week on The Atomic Age Cocktail Party, we feature some of our favorite female singers of the lounge era. We include the big names as well as some hidden gems.

Atomic Age logo with an illustration of a woman singing next to a microphone. Text reads Episode 1010 Ladies of Lounge
Play Listen

Stereophonic Action (1009)

On The Atomic Age Cocktail Party this week, we're giving your hi-fi...and your ears...a workout with all sort of stereophonic action! Music from RCA’s Stereo Action series, Command Records, and a spotlight on Esquivel!

Atomic Age logo with a illustration sound waves with a record in the center. Text reads Episode 1009 Stereophonic Action
Play Listen

Mambo Mania (1008)

This time on The Atomic Age Cocktail Party, it's Mambo Mania! We look at the mambo craze of the 1950s. We start with the mambo kings of the era and then work our way to some of the stranger mambo records that came out.

Play Listen

L-O-V-E (1007)

In honor of Valentine’s day, this edition of The Atomic Age Cocktail Party featured songs with the word "love" or some version of that in their titles.

Atomic Age logo with a cartoon illustration of a woman and a man sitting on a bench together. There are hearts around them. Text reads Episode 1007 L O V E
Play Listen

Spy Time (1006)

On The Atomic Age Cocktail Party this time, all the great spy music of the 1960s. There will be tons of James Bond music as well as other fun secret agent music from then and now!

Atomic Age logo with a illustration of a man sitting at a desk with another man standing in front of it. Text reads Episode 1006 Spy Time.
Play Listen

Johnny Mercer (1004)

This time on The Atomic Age Cocktail Party, we explore all the great lyrics of Johnny Mercer. His words are part of so many great songs of the hi-fi era.

Atomic Age logo with a line drawing caricature of Johnny Mercer's head. Text reads Episode 1004 Johnny Mercer.
Play Listen

Bongo Madness (1003)

On The Atomic Age Cocktail Party this week, those big big bongo beats! A celebration of all our favorite bongo records and bongo players.

Atomic Age logo with an illustration of a set of bongo drums
Play Listen

Announcing The Atomic Age Cocktail Party

The Atomic Age Cocktail Party, simply put, is a celebration of the golden age of the hi-fi and beyond! Premiering January 1, 2021, each hour-long show will be a mix of vocal and instrumental music and will be loosely focused around a theme.

Play Listen

About the host

Atomic Age Cocktail Party host, Jason Croft, holds a martini in one hand and a record under the other arm, while wearing a fez and a smoking jacket in this retro-style illustration.

Jason Croft has been collecting, enjoying, and programming lounge, easy-listening, and other music of the Atomic Age for over two decades. Now he is sharing this genre with you every Saturday and Sunday night with the Atomic Age Cocktail Party on WILL-FM. When he’s not knee-deep in his record collection, he’s the Technical Director for The 21st, local host for Here and Now, and one of the voices of AM580 on the weekends.

Atomic Age Cocktail Party social media links