Bossa Nova means ‘new wave’ or ‘new trend’, and this album rode that wave, making the `US album chart in the wake of the success of Jazz Samba (1962) and prior to the release of Getz/Gilberto (1964). 

Recording this album began on 27 August 1962 at Columbia 30th Street Studios in New York City, when the whole of side one of the original LP was laid down, the four tracks on side two were done the following day. Besides the wonderful tenor sax of Stan Getz, the piano playing of Hank Jones is particularly good while Jim Hall plays acoustic guitar in the Charlie Byrd role. Other musicians include, Clark Terry on flugelhorn and former Verve Records A&R man, Bob Brookmeyer on Side 2.