The quintet features saxophonist Stan Sulzmann, guitarist John Parricelli, and rhythm section Chris Laurence and Martin France.

[1] The AllMusic review by Matt Collar states "Ultimately, Songs for Quintet is a beautiful and poignantly subtle farewell from one of the quiet giants of jazz.

"[2] PopMatters's John Garratt said "Wheeler’s final album shows the 84-year-old legend making music the same way he always had—with class, mood and spontaneity.

"[3] All About Jazz reviewers said, "Songs for Quintet is a poignant closing statement from the great, highly influential Kenny Wheeler.

"[6] The Guardian's John Fordham said "Following the widespread tributes to Wheeler’s freethinking virtuosity, it would be all too easy to cheer his swansong—but his sound does retain much of its old melancholy tenderness here, and in the context of this set’s beautiful pieces and elegant improvisation, some hesitant flugelhorn moments mostly just reinforce the hypnotic humanity of the music.