John Kirby was a veteran of the Chick Webb and Fletched Henderson Orchestras of the 20s & 30s and the music- and the group of musicians – featured on this CD took shape during 1937-1938, when trumpeter Charlie Shavers joined the band. The style of music here is classic jazz, which according to Kirby, demanded both good improvisation skills and a kind of restrained and organized competence for ensemble playing and tight arrangements.