Saxophonist Steve Heckman performs a concert back in October of 2013 where he delivers a rich tribute to the legendary John Coltrane. He plays both tenor and soprano with the flexible team of Grant Levin/p, Eric Markowitz/b and Smith Dobson V/dr and covers almost every stage of Coltrane’s career except the last atonal phase.
Heckman’s selection of material is impeccable, and he is able to show the range of Coltrane’s talents from the bopping “26-2” to the more modal “The Promise.” Heckman’s tone on tenor is similar to the sax giant, but his delivery has more of a gentlemanly quality, so there is more swing to “Resolution” and more of a bopping dig on “Impressions.” Markowitz and Dobson are featured as Heckman goes lower register on “Fifth House” while Levin’s rubato on “Wise One” and “Dear Lord” are lushly contemplative. More light than heat on this glowing tip of the hat.