"Do Nothing Till You Hear from Me" is a song with music by Duke Ellington an lyrics by Bob Russell. It originated as a 1940 instrumental, "Concerto for Cootie", designed to highlight the playing of Ellington's lead trumpeter Cootie Williams; Russell's words were added later. Ellington's own recording of the song was a #1 R&B chart hit in 1944. "Do Nothing Till You Hear from Me" has since been recorded by many famous vocalists, including Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, Billie Holliday, Dr. John, Suzy Bogguss, Mary J. Blige, Tony Bennett, Robbie Williams and Nina Simone.