Irving Berlin's "How Deep Is the Ocean?" is a timeless popular standard that has been a favorite vehicle for jazz improvisation since the 1930s. On her 2018 album First Voyage, Arcoiris Sandoval delivers a definitive trio interpretation of this classic, performing it in E-flat at approximately 196 beats per minute with a medium swing feel. The tune's ABAC form provides a clear harmonic framework, and Sandoval takes full advantage of it with an expansive five-chorus piano solo that is among the longest and most developed improvisations on the album. Over these five choruses, she demonstrates a remarkable ability to sustain creative momentum, developing ideas across multiple choruses and building an overarching dramatic arc. Bassist Marty Kenney follows with two well-crafted choruses, showing melodic invention and a strong sense of swing. The inclusion of this Berlin standard alongside the album's original compositions demonstrates Sandoval's connection to the broader jazz tradition and her confidence in engaging with the Great American Songbook. Her interpretation honors the song's melodic beauty while bringing a contemporary harmonic perspective that keeps the performance fresh and forward-looking. This track stands as one of the highlights of the First Voyage album.
