J. J. Johnson
Trombone Solo on
How Deep Is the Ocean?

About

J. J. Johnson takes the sole solo on this recording, improvising for half a chorus on trombone at approximately 70 BPM. Set within a ballad setting, the 32-bar ABAC form and the key of E♭, the solo allows for nuanced, expressive phrasing. Johnson's half-chorus on trombone, making this a relatively rare showcase for the trombonist within a Parker session. After Bird plays the melody, the band skips the first A section and Johnson plays 16 bars starting at the B section before Miles finishes over the melody for the last 8 bars.

J. J. Johnson was 22 to 23 years old at the time.