Zoot Sims
Tenor Sax Solo on
How Deep Is the Ocean?

About

Zoot Sims's tenor saxophone solo is the third of six solos on "How Deep Is the Ocean?" from the 1956 Tenor Conclave album, following Al Cohn and Red Garland. He takes one chorus of the 32-bar ABAC form at 57 BPM in E-flat, bringing his characteristically graceful phrasing to Irving Berlin's ballad. The slow tempo reveals the beauty of Sims's tone and his gift for making even the simplest melodic idea sound compelling. His solo follows his frequent musical partner Cohn's opening statement, and the two tenors' complementary yet distinct approaches provide an illuminating comparison.

Zoot Sims was 30 to 31 years old at the time.