The recordings took place at the studio of Rudy Van Gelder in Hackensack, New Jersey, and document Coltrane's first session as a leader. As a result of his exposure as a member of the Miles Davis Quintet, Prestige Records owner and producer Bob Weinstock offered Coltrane a recording contract. Dated April 9, 1957, it stipulated three albums per year at $300 per album. Coltrane had previously recorded as a sideman, and had co-led a session with Paul Quinichette released in 1959 as Cattin' with Coltrane and Quinichette, but never as sole bandleader. Coltrane had actually just been fired by Davis in April 1957 for drug abuse, but retreated home to Philadelphia to clean himself out. He returned to New York City for mid-May sessions with Prestige, this one taking place the day after Memorial Day. By the summer, Coltrane would be recording with Thelonious Monk and playing as a member of his quartet for the rest of the year. Sidemen included Paul Chambers and Red Garland from the Davis band, and Philadelphia colleagues Johnny Splawn and Albert Heath.
