The album was recorded in October 1991 by the quartet of Murray (bass clarinet), pianist John Hicks, bassist Ray Drummond, and drummer Idris Muhammad.

[1] There is a short passage of anguish in "Portrait of a Black Woman".

[1] Ballads for Bass Clarinet was released by DIW Records.

[1] The AllMusic review awarded the album 3 stars.

[2] The Penguin Guide to Jazz commented on the similarity between Murray's phrasing on bass clarinet and on tenor saxophone.