Nina Simone made her first trip into the studio in New York during 1957 to record her debut album Little Girl Blue. The album has since become a classic, and these were her first recordings ever! Simone would not record again for two years. She signed a contract with the New York-based label Colpix Records in 1959, with whom she recorded her second album, The Amazing Nina Simone. The LP features her singing (and playing a little piano) with an orchestra (the personnel is unknown) under the direction of Bob Mersey.