Straighten Up And Fly Right: E-Z Play Today

This is one of Cole's most buoyant recordings, and the arrangement translates beautifully to solo piano. The melody sits naturally under the hands, the harmonic progression rewards thoughtful voicing, and the swing feel invites students to explore what makes a phrase breathe rather than just count time.

Bright and breezy, with a wink in every phrase. The tune moves forward with natural momentum while maintaining a conversational warmth that never tips into sentimentality. There's confidence here without arrogance, and the harmonic palette invites both straightforward reading and more sophisticated reharmonization.

Jazz studies students refining their touch and understanding swing from the inside out, as well as classical pianists looking to develop facility with standards and small group textures. The piece also works for intermediate players ready to explore jazz standards with genuine musicality rather than mere note accuracy.

• Keep the left hand supple and conversational rather than metronomic; Cole's trio never sounded locked in, and that lightness is everything
• Pay attention to where Cole places notes slightly ahead of or behind the beat within phrases; this microtiming creates the swing without requiring a slower tempo
• Let the bridge air out. This tune can easily get pushed, but the real magic happens when you give space to the harmonic movement

Pair this with other Cole trio transcriptions or use it as a bridge between classical and jazz studies in a recital context. It also works well as a solo piece during a jazz standards concert or as part of a curriculum unit on swing era arranging and how small ensembles shaped American popular music.

• Swing eighth-note phrasing and microtiming within a steady pulse
• Comping and reharmonization choices in a jazz standard
• Touch and tone production suited to intimate jazz settings
• Understanding how melody and harmony interact in swing era arrangements