Recorded in Los Angeles, California in 1965, The Wonderful World of Antonio Carlos Jobim was Jobim's second album to be recorded outside of Brazil, following The Composer of Desafinado, Plays, which had been taped in 1963. While for his first American venture Jobim counted with arrangements by Claus Ogerman, for this second effort he relied on the multiple talents of the great Nelson Riddle, who had a longstanding career working with Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Ella Fitzgerald, to name a few. All of the compositions here are by Jobim, who plays piano, guitar, and also sings. Along with well-known compositions such as "A Felicidade," "Agua de Beber" or "Dindi", this album introduced two new songs: "Bonita" and "Surfboard".