The Sandpipers were a US easy-listening trio/quartet who carved a little niche for themselves in the world of 60s folk rock. Founder members Jim Brady, Mike Piano, and Richard Shoff first performed together in the Mitchell Boys Choir before deciding to go it alone, with no sense of irony, as 'The Four Seasons'. It was quickly pointed out to them that a group of that name already existed in New York and they changed their name to 'The Grads'.

Although The Grads didn't set the charts on fire with their early recordings, they were enough to secure them a residency in a Lake Tahoe nightclub where a friend brought them to the attention of trumpet playing A&M Records boss, Herb Alpert. Alpert was impressed enough to give The Grads a shot, but after a couple of singles without success the group agreed upon a name change to 'The Sandpipers', after which their producer, Tommy Li Puma, recommended they record the Cuban anthem 'Guantanamerra'.