Trio and Solo

by Alex Henderson

Trio and Solo is an appropriate title for this LP, which finds a young Randy Weston leading a trio on five selections and performing unaccompanied solo piano on the other five. The trio material (which employs

Sam Gill

on bass and the influential

Art Blakey

on drums) was recorded in 1955, whereas most of the solo performances were recorded the following year. In both settings, Weston brings a strong

Thelonious Monk

influence to the table -- the

Monk

influence is impossible to miss, whether Weston is embracing "Little Girl Blue" and

Tadd Dameron

's "If You Could See Me Now" by himself or interpreting "Sweet Sue, Just You" in the company of

Gill

and

Blakey

. But being greatly influenced by someone doesn't mean that you're a slavish, knee-jerk imitator. Just as

Sonny Stitt

realized that being a

Charlie Parker

disciple didn't have to mean being a

Charlie Parker

clone -- and just as

Chet Baker

had a recognizable tone that you could tell from

Miles Davis

' -- Weston never tried to pass himself off as

Monk

. Yes,

Monk

was his greatest influence in 1955 and 1956, but his sound also owed something to

Bud Powell

. And what you hear on this bop-oriented record is a young improviser who loved and admired

Monk

's angular, cerebral pianism, but also realized the importance of being his own person. You also hear a flexible musician who was open to a variety of musical situations; Weston sounds as inspired by himself as he does in the company of

Gill

and

Blakey

. Trio and Solo isn't as essential as some of Weston's 1960s recordings, but for those who are devoted fans of the pianist, these early performances offer considerable rewards.