Ain't Misbehavin' (arr. Doug Watts): SATB Choral Octavo

Doug Watts captures the infectious swing and harmonic color of this Waller classic without over-arranging it. The voicing sits comfortably for mixed choirs while preserving that signature stride piano energy and the tune's irresistible charm, making it an ideal closer for any concert that needs to send audiences out smiling.

Playful and sophisticated at once, with the kind of rhythmic ease that makes audiences want to move. The harmonies sparkle with jazz color while the melody remains warmly conversational, as if the singer is sharing a knowing wink about staying on the straight and narrow.

Mixed choirs seeking a substantial jazz standard that works for concert finale programs, community performances, or anyone looking to expand beyond classical sacred and secular repertoire. Singers with basic ensemble experience can navigate the voicing comfortably.

• Keep the rhythmic pulse bouncy but controlled; the arrangement thrives on a relaxed swing feel rather than stiff quarter-note precision.
• Balance the parts so the melody sits forward even in full four-part harmony; this tune's lyrical hook deserves to sing through clearly.
• Shape the phrasing around the lyrical content rather than the bar lines; let the text breathing guide your conductor's gestures.

Save this for your program's final spot or use it to open a lighter second half; its buoyant personality cuts through fatigue and resets the room. It pairs beautifully alongside other jazz standards or pop arrangements, anchoring a set that shows your choir's versatility beyond classical traditions.

• Jazz articulation and swing rhythm interpretation
• Stylistically informed phrasing in popular music idioms
• Blend and balance in close four-part harmony
• Rhythmic precision while maintaining textural lightness