AllMusic awarded the album 5 stars calling it "one of those rare albums that makes its mark as an almost instant classic in the jazz pantheon" and noting "April in Paris proved Count Basie's ability to grow through modern jazz changes while keeping the traditional jazz orchestra vital and alive".
AllMusic bestowed 5 stars on the album, describing it as "one of those exceptional albums that quickly became a jazz classic" and noting "April in Paris showcased Count Basie's ability to evolve within modern jazz while maintaining the vitality of his traditional jazz orchestra."