Soloing, Tad Weed / Jazz Journal International
Tad Weed is a new name to me, but after hearing this album, I certainly want to hear more of him. Is he related to older pianist Buddy Weed? Tad is yet another very talented player who has been active in a sideman capacity with Al Cohn (the notewriter misspells his name and that of drummer La Barbera), Woody Herman, Kenny Burrell, Richie Cole and Teddy Edwards - he has also toured as accompanist conductor with vocalists Carmen McCrae, Anita O'Day, Paul Anka and Jack Jones. He thoroughly deserves this exposure as leader.
Four tracks are solo performances, Joy, Joyspring, Liza and In a Sentimental Mood and the remainder are by a trio in which Ken Filiano, bass and Joe La Barbera. drums, play truly equal parts with the leader and are heavily featured in splendid displays of controlled virtuosity throughout.
Tad is a swinger, a real two-handed player who has the technique and confidence to put his fertile ideas into practice - he reminds me of the late lamented Herbie Nichols in some of his melodic and harmonic progressions and at uptempos he vividly brings to mind the freewheeling bop playing of the young Hampton Hawes in the fifties, but he is very much his own man. Tad plays with considerable warmth and is full of exciting ideas - he contributes some tasty originals Ellington Mist, A Prayer, A Glance That Billy Gave, and What Is... played at breakneck tempo with ex-Bill Evans drummer La Barbera giving an 'in charge' performance matched by the incredible dexterity of bassist Filiano, both pizzicato and arco, and Weed's scintillating piano improvisations.
Superb recording adds to the pleasure of this exciting album.
Pat Hawes