Most artists not only acknowledge that their work can be therapy, but they also rely on it. This is certainly true for saxophone wizard Jimmy Greene. Though he's a world-regarded player with years' worth of professional cachet and critical acclaim for his recordings and live performances, Greene's life and career changed irrevocably when his daughter Ana was one of the victims in the Sandy Hook mass murder.

A year ago, in tribute and because there was no other way, Greene wrote, recorded and released "Beautiful Life," a wonderful and Grammy-nominated album he described as an effort to show the world how Ana lived and loved life and family.

Greene and his superb quartet play Friday and Saturday at Side Door Jazz in the Old Lyme Inn. Anticipate a sublime and bittersweet experience.

Jimmy Greene Quartet, 7:30 p.m. Fri. and Sat., Side Door Jazz Club, 85 Lyme St., Old Lyme; $40; (860) 434-0886.