"Pascual Lives" and "INVENTION" by Paul Santa Maria

Larry Coryell took me to witness the experience of Pascual Olivera in his battle with cancer. An "Experience" in SGI Buddhist terms is to relate one's trials and triumphs...I met Mr. Olivera and his lovely wife / partner Angela after the show thanks to Mr. Coryell's inluence and friendship and met two shining examples of humanity. That is not some politically correct "nicism" I just wrote, but a wish that all people were so gracious, cultured, talented and cultured. These two people have danced for 6 American Presidents and probably countless celebrities and other heads of state.

But Pascual's war on his cancer through unceasing belief that he would prevail was to no avail and he went to join the others who have passed before him, like my friend John Haynes who died only one month before Pascual.

Angela was as devastated as anyone would be, losing their soulmate and partner, so I set out to create a piece of the ultimate language that would aid in her transition to the state of existence without him. After all, God gave me a talent and I wanted to use it just once for the noblest cause one can muster. To keep it pure, I had no intention of sharing it with anyone else, but, being the person Larry is, he brought the piece to his Buddhist organization called SGI, whose members include such musicians as Her,bie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Nestor Torres, Buster Williams and many more. They ultimately chose my piece as a fitting honor to Pascual and performed it in L.A., Japan and Hawaii as well, with Angela dancing to the piece.
The maestro Coryell then composed a 3 minute-plus intro to the tune and we recorded it in Florida, at a small studio here. The resultant 9 minute piece is included in it's entirety on the CD "INVENTION" as well Larry's performance on "Inseparable" composed and sung by my ex Tracey Piergross. BTW, the title to Larry's intro is "Solea"