taken from Mr. Stu’s Record Room
skremsky.tumblr.com
Even a quick glance at the set list for Live @ The Loft by tenor saxophonist Michael Pedicin will reveal that the music and legacy of John Coltrane are foremost among his influences. With three tunes penned by Coltrane, and three closely associated with his legacy, only Joey Calderazzo’s snappy Midnight Voyage and Walt Weiskopf’s touching Song For My Mother escape the Coltrane shadow. The quintet eases into the music with a saxophone and bass introduction to Theme For Ernie, Fred Lacey’s song introduced by Coltrane and Red Garland in 1958. Drummer Bob Shomo, pianist Jim Ridl and guitarist Johnnie Valentino enter around the 30-second mark to establish the loping rhythm, and then Pedicin takes off on a fleet and dense solo that rolls on and on until Ridl steps out for a solo that echoes the saxophonist’s flurries of notes. Bassist Andy Lalasis takes over for a chorus, then Pedicin rides the tune out.