"Do Nothing till You Hear from Me" is a song with music by Duke Ellington and 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, Phil Collins, Robbie Williams and Nina Simone.

Radio sitcom

Do Nothing till You Hear From Me (2004) was also a six part BBC Radio 4 sitcom written by British comic actor and writer Marcus Powell based on his Roy Diamond character. In the radio version, produced by Carole Smith, the cantankerous Jamaican stand up comedian played by Powell was transformed into an equally cantankerous trombone player, Roy Walcott, played by Ram John Holder (of Desmond's and Porkpie fame).The stellar supporting cast included Sam Kelly (Porridge) George Layton, Yvonne Brewster, Caroline Lee Johnson (Chef!) and Marcus himself playing Roy's long suffering son-in-law Victor.

Guest Stars included Gerald Harper (Adam Adamant, Hadleigh) Melvyn Hayes (It Ain't Half Hot Mum) and Gemma Craven (Clare in the Community). The show was recorded at London's Drill Hall complete with live trombonist and was co-written with The Stage's Agony Uncle, John Byrne.