Jutta Hipp arrived in New York on November 18, 1955. Within months of her arrival in New York, Hipp earned the notable distinction of becoming the first white female as well as the first European instrumentalist ever signed by the now legendary Blue Note Records label. Hipp cut three albums as leader for Blue Note in 1956. The most successful of the Blue Note recordings featured tenor saxophonist Zoot Sims.

The artist's immigration to the United States was sponsored and widely publicized by jazz critic Leonard Feather who had discovered Hipp while visiting Germany and was “blown away” by her talent. With Feather's assistance Hipp landed a highly coveted six-month engagement at the renowned Hickory House Restaurant in Manhattan, subbing for touring house pianist Marian McPartland, and was able to add a well-received debut at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival to her credentials.
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