Folks are inspired in many ways. Sometimes, it's something subtle or tangential. Other times, it's more tactile. Consider jazz saxophonist Dave Liebman, who, as a young man in New York City, saw John Coltrane play many times.

Think on that last clause: Liebman saw John Freakin' Coltrane play live repeatedly.

Well, I saw Robin Yount play many times, and I didn't become a two-time major league MVP. In fact, in my final season of little league baseball, I hit .050.

Liebman, though, became a world-renowned jazz musician. Now, in commemoration of the 90th anniversary of Coltrane's birth — and it's been 50 years since he passed — Expansions: The Dave Liebman Group comes to the Side Door Jazz Club in Old Lyme Saturday to pay musical homage to three iconic periods in the Master's career. They'll explore Coltrane's time with Miles Davis, his work with his own quartet, and the late, spiritually-inspired free-jazz period.

In addition to Liebman, Expansions includes pianist Bobby Avey, reed man Matt Vashlishan, drummer Alex Ritz and bassist Tony Marino. This should be an extraordinary night of music.

Expansions: The Dave Liebman Group, 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Side Door Jazz Club, 85 Lyme St., Old Lyme; $35; (860) 434-0886.