It was Guaraldi's ninth studio album and the first to be released on his D&D record label (the only one during his lifetime), named for the first initials of his two children, David and Dia.

The first release under this label was a single featuring a cover of The Beatles’ "Eleanor Rigby," backed by a complete version of "Peppermint Patty," a song from the recent Peanuts television special, You're in Love, Charlie Brown (1967).

[3] Guaraldi's interest in working with young voices was evident as early as the initial stages of his collaboration with the San Francisco Boys Chorus.

He made the conscious decision to evenly divide the album’s content between traditional jazz trio arrangements and collaborations with the Boys Chorus.

Their performance on Bob Dylan’s "Blowin' in the Wind" involved singing the lyrics, while their participation on other tracks provided vocal shading, echoing key phrases and adding atmospheric layers to the compositions.

According to Steve Rubardt, a former member of the Boys Chorus, the sessions were marred by delays and technical difficulties, partly stemming from Guaraldi’s limited experience directing such a large and diverse group.