Ran Blake is a genre of one. His work is not unrelated to the lyricism of Bill Evans, but it’s much odder than that. Blake uses modernist harmonies to create often-short pieces with strange contours that can be quietly startling. Many of his albums have been solo affairs and 2011’s Grey December (Live In Rome) is another fine one-man effort. It presents a set of originals — some of them recorded for the first time — and a striking batch of covers. “Cry Wolf” has the feel of a standard, but it’s marked by clusters, dissonances, and hard-hit notes. Following a wooly piece called “Obama” and the dramatic “Magic Row,” Blake turns his attention to Al Green’s 1972 smash, “Let’s Stay Together,” which segues into Ary Barroso’s 1939 hit, “Brazil.” The pianist displays affection toward the material, but he also de-familiarizes these warhorses. Blake has always drawn from the blues, and the album includes a brief version of folklorist Willis Laurence James’ “Field Cry.” Early in his career Blake had a duo with the unique Jeanne Lee, and “We’ll Be Together Again” is dedicated to the late singer. The lengthy “Inspirations: Abbey Lincoln” lets the listener hear Blake stretch out.