I was surprised to find a vocal version to this instrumental that was a hit

"Harlem Nocturne" is a 1939 jazz standard written by Earle Hagen with lyrics by Dick Rogers for the Ray Noble orchestra, of which they were members.The following year, the song was chosen by big band leader Randy Brooks as his theme song.

The version by the Viscounts has the distinction of being released twice and rising high on the Billboard charts each time: first in 1959, when it peaked at #52, and again in 1966, peaking at #39 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Their version also notably appears in the 1983 American horror film, Christine.

Some singers have recorded "Harlem Nocturne", adding lyrics. Mel Tormé recorded a version with lyrics for his 1963 album Mel Tormé Sings Sunday in New York & Other Songs About New York, beginning with "a nocturne for the blues". Sylvia Brooks recorded a different version, arranged by Jeff Colella, on her album Dangerous Liaisons in 2009,[8] starting with "deep music fills the night", which has since been covered. Other vocal versions are by Ernestine Anderson, Carla White, Denise Jannah, Bonnie Bramlett, and Jacintha. Brian Setzer plays a version loosely based on the theme called "Hollywood Nocturne".

Thank you for the listen(s)