(Mack Avenue)

For his debut recording, pianist Aaron Diehl constructed music as finely as a tailor crafts a custom cut suit. The music on the aptly titled, The Bespoke Man’s Narrative , was conceptualized for Diehls’ working quartet of vibraphonist Warren Wolf, drummer Rodney Green and bassist David Wong. The 26-year old’s compositions are fresh, innovative and contemplative, but they also groove. Diehl also delivers outside-the-box arrangements of several standards, avoiding the cliches and emphasizing the compelling interplay and performance of the group. In addition to Diehl’s considerable talents as a composer, he is a very engaging pianist, and that in combination with all else, makes him a fantastic jazz artist to hear.