The work was composed by Grofé in 1926 and first performed that year by Paul Whiteman's Orchestra in New York City.

[6] Later, American lyricist Harold Adamson wrote words to the music from the ballad theme of the suite's final movement.

All reached the top 20 of the National Best-Selling charts, with Tommy Dorsey and his vocalist, Frank Sinatra, peaking at number 10 in October.

On September 7, 1927 (1927-09-07), Grofe and the Whiteman Orchestra gathered at Victor's Trinity Church Studio in Camden, New Jersey to record "Mississippi Suite (A Tone Journey)."

The Orchestra consisted of three violins, bass, two violas, two cellos, bassoon, four saxophones, three cornets, three trombones, tuba, banjo, and traps.

[9] Grofé's Mississippi Suite and Grand Canyon Suite, performed by the Eastman-Rochester Orchestra (i.e. the Orchestra of the Eastman School of Music), conducted by Howard Hanson, were recorded for Mercury Records in May 1958, re-issued on CD in 1995, coupled with the Cello Concerto No.