The bandleader Barnet's greatest influence was Duke Ellington - as an  alto and soprano saxophone player he channeled Johnny Hodges and his trumpet player Bobby Burnet was a devotee of Cootie Williams.  These 1939-42 records (mostly for Bluebird) feature the arrangements of Billy May, who had a unique way of recreating the Ellington sound.  Also heard are Bill Miller on piano, Don McCook on clarinet, Peanuts Holland, Bernie Privin and Roy Eldridge on trumpets and Bus Etri on guitar