Red Garland
Piano Solo on
How Deep Is the Ocean?

About

Red Garland's piano solo is the second of six solos on "How Deep Is the Ocean?" from the 1956 Tenor Conclave album, following Al Cohn's tenor saxophone. He takes one chorus of the 32-bar ABAC form at 56 BPM in E-flat, providing a timbral contrast between the tenor saxophone statements. Garland's ballad playing draws on his characteristic touch and harmonic taste, his block chords and delicate single-note lines creating an intimate atmosphere suited to Irving Berlin's romantic standard.

Red Garland was 32 to 33 years old at the time.