It was originally recorded and performed by the
Original Dixieland Jass Band, a band of
New Orleans jazz musicians, who released it as an instrumental as a Victor 78, 18717-B, in 1920. The A side was "
Margie", a jazz and pop standard, paired in a medley with "
Singin' the Blues". J. Russel Robinson, the pianist in the ODJB, co-wrote the music for all three songs. The song was published by Shapiro, Bernstein & Company in New York in 1920. The melody has a strong
Klezmer influence, with the chorus based on a phrase from "Nokh A Bisl" by J. Kammen. ==Other recordings==