The Bossa Nova style originated in Brazil in the late 1950s. As many American jazz stars toured South America during those years, bossa slowly became known in the United States. However, in early 1962 Stan Getz recorded a couple of albums combining bossa with jazz that unexpectedly became top-sellers. As a result, a bossa nova craze developed and nearly every jazz star recorded his/her own bossa nova album, or at least included a couple of bossas in their LPs or concerts.

This collection presents a comprehensive selection of original recordings of bossa nova songs, including versions by the Brazilian masters themselves, as well as those by renowned jazz artists, and collaborative efforts between American and Brazilian stars.