Ain't Misbehavin'
Taproot Theatre Company presents "AIN'T MISBEHAVIN'," the Fats Waller Musical Show by Richard Maltby, Jr., from March 18th to April 25th, 2026. Librarians at Seattle Public Library created this resource list of books, films, music, and websites to enhance your experience of the show.
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Ain't Misbehavin'
Vocal selections from the Broadway musical. For voice and piano, with chord symbols. (Publisher copy)
Format: Printed Music
Availability: Available
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Ain't Misbehavin'
This informal narrative of Waller's life and music, a moving memoir of a musical genius and an outstanding human being, was written by Fats' personal manager. (Publisher copy)
Format: Book
Availability: All copies in use
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Ain't Misbehavin' (1995 London Cast Recording)
In 1978, [Ain't Misbehavin'] became the title track of a cabaret show featuring the music of Waller. It was such a considerable success that it became a Broadway show, and was resurrected in 1988 for a brief stint. Ain't Misbehavin' won numerous Tonys, not the least of which was the award for Best Musical. The 1995 London cast is featured on this recording. (AllMusic)
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Fats Waller - All the Hits and More, 1922-43
If you’ve never had access to a collection of Fats Waller’s work, both as a solo pianist and as the leader of his little sextet the ‘Rhythm’ (as well as an occasional big band built out of that group) this collection from Acrobat is a good place to start. (Jazzwise)
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Fats Waller
(Volume 7 in the Kings of Jazz series). Kings of Jazz provides authoritative introductions to the individual masters of traditional and modern jazz who have become legends in the field. The series has been designed for the jazz lover, and each volume has been written by an expert on his subject. (Melody Maker)
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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Jimmy Smith Plays Fats Waller
Smith is allowed to attack the organ in gusts and swoops without interruption—and what a treat it is. He rolls through Waller classics like "Honeysuckle Rose" and "Ain't Misbehavin'" at a simmer, turning these and other numbers into a slow soulful groove. (All About Jazz)
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Stride, the Music of Fats Waller
This first book-length examination of Waller's music demonstrates his art as an important current running through the mainstream of jazz and provides an insightful look at his life and his music. (Publisher Copy)
Format: Book
Availability: Available
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Thomas Wright "Fats" Waller
The 17 transcriptions in this volume reveal the compositional artistry and comic play of Thomas Wright "Fats" Waller (1904-43) - virtuoso jazz pianist, organist, singer, bandleader, parodist, comedian, and composer in the Harlem stride tradition. (Publisher copy)
Format: Printed Music
Availability: Available
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All That Jazz
All That Jazz, From New Orleans to New York is an anthology of jazz music which prior to the popular swing era of the 1930s and '40s is often referred to as "early jazz." Through its origins before the turn of the 20th century, jazz had evolved from a regional music, central to New Orleans and its surroundings, to a musical style at the forefront of national and international popular music by the 1930s and 1940's. (Oldies.com)
Format: Streaming Video
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Jazz
Jazz, during 1929 through 1935, lifted the nation's spirit. Record sales boomed while Armstrong became a major entertainer as singer, trumpeter, band leader, radio and film performer. Ellington's elegance, compositions, brilliant band films and recordings created a huge following in America and abroad. This segment also visits the careers of Fletcher Henderson, Benny Goodman, Billy Rose, Chick Webb, Fats Waller, Art Tatum and the record producer, John Hammond. (Publisher Copy)
Format: DVD
Availability: Available
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