The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow stated: "The all-star band accurately called the Leaders developed its own group sound. Performing inside/outside music, the band's Black Saint release features originals by Freeman, Lightsey, McBee, and Bowie, plus an obscurity. The trumpeter's straight-ahead "Zero" is a high point, and all of the musicians play up to their potential. It is particularly interesting to hear Bowie and Blythe excel in this fairly conservative (for them) setting".[3]
The authors of the Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings wrote: "There's a good balance of sound between the front-row voices and a more prominent role for McBee. Bowie's theatrical presentation... is also a vivid jazz history lesson."[4]