Mississippi; Tone Journey is a 1926 orchestral suite in four movements by Ferde Grofé, depicting scenes along a journey down the Mississippi River from its headwaters of Minnesota down to New Orleans. History The work was composed by Grofé in 1926 and first performed that year by Paul Whiteman's Orchestra in New York City. Publisher Leo Feist, Inc., New York copyrighted the composition on April 20 as "Mississippi; Tone Journey" and described it as "1. Father of waters. [3 others]". The composer is "Ferdie Grofe". These are the legal names of the composer and his work, though in later years, it became known as the "Mississippi Suite". Later, American lyricist Harold Adamson wrote words to music from the ballad theme of the suite's final movement. The resulting song was called "Daybreak". In July 1942, it was recorded and released by Harry James, Jimmy Dorsey, and Tommy Dorsey, with their Orchestras and Vocalists. 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. Sinatra recorded it again, along with many of his 1940s hits, on May 2, 1961, for the Reprise album, "I Remember Tommy". Sy Oliver arranged and conducted the Orchestra at United Recorders, Los Angeles. Movements I. Father of the Waters – depicts the birth of the Mississippi River in the streams of Minnesota and the lands of the Chippewa Indians . II. Huckleberry Finn – based on the novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. A short piece ruminating on Huck's prankish nature. III. Old Creole Days – Grofe's interpretation of spirituals sung by slaves on the plantations IV. Mardi Gras – depicts Fat Tuesday in New Orleans. The entire piece runs about 17 minutes. Recordings On , 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 3 violins, bass, 2 violas, 2 cellos, bassoon, 4 saxophones, 3 cornets, 3 trombones, tuba, banjo, and traps. Part One was completed in four takes, and Part Two in three. Take 1 was scrapped, Take 2 was held, and Take 3 was selected as the master. The fourth take of Part One was also scrapped. Part One take 3 and Part Two take 3 made up the two sides of the 12" shellac disc. The disc was limited