Born Harry Finkelman in Philadelphia, trumpeter Ziggy Elman grew up in New Jersey where, as a youth he played both reeds and brass. A trumpet ace (he was a six-time Down Beat poll-winner), from 1936 he worked with Benny Goodman who featured his powerful trumpet on several hit recordings, including this, an own composition which later served as his signature. A contributor to small-group Lionel Hampton sessions, after leaving Goodman, Elman worked with Joe Venuti (1940) and Tommy Dorsey (1940–1943). After WW2 army service, he led his own big bands intermittently between 1947 and 1949 and at this time also became well known through appearances on film, radio and TV.