Ain't Misbehavin': Piano/Vocal/Chords

Peter Cincotti's interpretations showcase why these Waller standards have stayed alive for nearly a century. The mix of well-known favorites and deeper cuts gives you repertoire that works equally well for a cabaret-style recital or a pop-influenced program. Having the arrangements personally approved by Cincotti means the voicings and accompaniment patterns are tested and performance-ready.

These songs carry a lightness and intelligence that comes from 1930s songcraft refined for contemporary ears. The arrangements sit between straight jazz and accessible pop, giving performers permission to swing freely without abandoning melodic clarity. There's sophistication here, but it never becomes fussy; every song sounds like it wants to be enjoyed.

Singers developing a jazz or popular standards repertoire will find direct, playable arrangements backed by a respected interpreter's stamp of approval. Pianists looking for sophisticated pop-jazz material that bridges classical training and contemporary style benefit from Cincotti's particular voice on these arrangements. This collection works for music students, music theater performers, and anyone building a mature pop-vocal toolkit.

• Study the harmonic movement beneath the melody; Waller's progressions often move in unexpected directions, and understanding the underlying changes deepens interpretation and supports confident phrasing.
• Approach the rhythm as a gentle swing rather than strict time; these songs breathe, and the best performances find pocket and pocket space rather than metronomic precision.
• Use the color photographs and Cincotti's notes as interpretive reference; seeing how a serious pianist approaches the material can unlock your own stylistic choices.
• Layer dynamics gradually through a phrase instead of hitting accents head-on; Waller's melodies work best when they're shaped with control and nuance.

Open a spring concert with one of the livelier titles to set an upbeat, sophisticated tone before transitioning to heavier work. String several selections together for a standalone set in a recital context, letting the Waller material showcase a singer's range across tempos and moods. Use individual pieces as audition or solo-competition material; these songs are compact, lyrical, and showcase musicianship across a broad palette.

• Jazz harmony interpretation and voice-leading choices
• Phrasing across swing and straight-time contexts
• Lyrical storytelling in standards-based repertoire
• Accompanying skills for pianists using lead-sheet notation and chord symbols
• Stylistic awareness of 1930s popular song as foundation for contemporary jazz singing