Al Cohn
Tenor Sax Solo on
How Deep Is the Ocean?

About

Al Cohn's tenor saxophone solo opens the improvisation on Irving Berlin's "How Deep Is the Ocean?" from the 1956 Tenor Conclave album. He takes one chorus of the 32-bar ABAC form at a ballad tempo of 60 BPM in E-flat, his warm, lyrical tone well suited to the intimate setting. The slow tempo exposes every detail of his sound and phrasing, and Cohn's melodically driven approach brings out the song's romantic character. He is the first of six soloists, followed by Red Garland on piano, Zoot Sims, Paul Chambers, John Coltrane, and Hank Mobley.

Al Cohn was 30 to 31 years old at the time.