From the movie "Blues in the Night" that premiered on the date above. The song is performed by a jail prisoner - a solo, a cappella performance (uncredited) by Gillespie. The song is performed later in the movie by the Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra. It was well known before the movie release date as evidenced by at least four 1941 releases.
Based on a play by Edwin Gilbert and Elia Kazan, the movie was originally titled "New Orleans Blues", then "Hot Nocturne". The title was changed once again to feature this song.
