I've got an unfinished article in the shop about Charlie Barnet and Billy May. Here's their parody of sweet jazz (like Sammy Kaye):

https://youtu.be/PK-sRkREcY0 (that's Billy May as "Slapp Happy" on vocal). Malcolm X describes listening to Barnet's band: http://christophercatania.com/2008/08/16/246/

Stan Kenton is a lot more diverse (and exploratory) than most people realize. Check out the opening for his recording of City of Glass (composed by Bob Graettinger): https://youtu.be/1HxuWh2ChMs

(Apologies if I've spammed you with these before.)