Hank Mobley
Tenor Sax Solo on
How Deep Is the Ocean?

About

Hank Mobley's tenor saxophone solo is the sixth and final solo on "How Deep Is the Ocean?" from the 1956 Tenor Conclave album, closing the performance after statements from Al Cohn, Red Garland, Zoot Sims, Paul Chambers, and John Coltrane. He takes one chorus of the 32-bar ABAC form at 52 BPM in E-flat, his warm, rounded tone bringing Irving Berlin's ballad to a gentle conclusion. As the session organizer, Mobley takes the last word, and his relaxed, melodically centered approach provides a satisfying close to the ballad's six-solo sequence.

Hank Mobley was 25 to 26 years old at the time.