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Ken Peplowski
“When you grow up in Cleveland, Ohio, playing in a Polish polka band, you learn to think fast on your feet”, says Ken Peplowski, who played his first pro engagement when he was still in elementary school. “From my first time performing in public, I knew I wanted to play music for a living.”
Ken, and his trumpet-playing brother Ted, made many local radio and TV appearances and played for Polish dances and weddings virtually every weekend all through high-school. “That’s where I learned to improvise, ‘fake’ songs, learn about chord changes, etc.- it’s exactly like learning to swim by being thrown into the water!”
By the time Ken was in his early teens, he was experimenting with jazz by playing in the school “stage” bands, and also by jamming with many of the local jazz musicians. “By the time I hit high school, I was teaching at the local music store, playing in our family band, and playing jazz gigs around town while still getting up early every day for school.”
After a year of college, Ken joined the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra under the direction of Buddy Morrow. “Buddy heard me with my quartet at a Cleveland jazz festival along with Teddy Wilson’s trio and the Dorsey band, and made an offer right then and there for me to not only play lead alto, but to have a feature spot on the clarinet with the rhythm section. It was a great ‘road-school’ – we learned the discipline that goes with playing one-nighters every day for 48 weeks out of the year, and Buddy was a great, very generous bandleader.”
Peplowski met Sonny Stitt while on the road with the Dorsey band, and studied with him. “He was, and is, an inspiration to all of of us who make a living ‘on the road’ – I’ve never heard anybody play with such amazing consistency as Sonny, through all kinds of settings.”
In 1980, Ken moved to New York City,and was soon playing in all kinds of settings, from traditional to avant-garde jazz. “Everything’s a learning experience in jazz music – there’s always an element of the unpredictable.” In 1984, Benny Goodman came out of retirement and put together a new band, hiring Ken on tenor saxophone.
Peplowski signed with Concord Records, under the tutelage of Carl Jefferson, the founder and president, and recorded close to 20 albums as a leader, including “The Natural Touch” in 1992 which won Best Jazz Record of the Year by the Prises Deutschen Schallplatten Kritiken, and “The Other Portrait”, recorded in Sophia Bulgaria with the symphony orchestra and highlighting Ken’s classical side. He also recorded two records on the Nagel Heyer label,”Lost In The Stars” and “Easy To Remember”, the latter of which features Bobby Short on his last recording. “I loved Bobby Short’s approach to the American songbook, and we’d talked about doing a record together for a while – I’m glad we got this one ‘in the can.’
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David Larsen: The Peplowski Project
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by Jack Bowers
The Peplowski Project was a labor of love for saxophonist David Larsen, a longtime admirer of fellow reedman Ken Peplowski who sits in with Larsen's impressive quartet on each of the album's eleven numbers, playing clarinet on six, tenor saxophone on five. As for Larsen, he plays his Gerry Mulligan-flavored baritone sax on five of the session's first six numbers, then sets it aside in favor of the alto (on Al Cohn's Jazz Line Blues"), tenor or ...
read moreSusie Meissner: I Wish I Knew
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by Jack Bowers
I wish I knew why the talented Philadelphia-based singer Susie Meissner chose to open her salute to the Great American Songbook with the only tune on the album that doesn't really qualify: Curtis Lewis' The Great City." It's not a bad song but Cole Porter or Johnny Mandel it ain't. On the bright side, Meissner recovers quickly on the fourth album under her name with a burnished rendition of the title theme, a memorable composition by the legendary Hollywood songwriting ...
read moreSusie Meissner: I Wish I Knew
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by C. Michael Bailey
Over the past decade and three previous recordings, Philadelphia-based vocalist Susie Meissner has crafted an intelligently conceived and thoughtfully paced survey of the Great American Songbook. Meissner's considerations of the standard jazz repertoire, in concert with pianist John Shaddy's sturdy arrangements and educated performance manner, have emerged, evolving from chaste and reverent beginnings, into rich and supple layerings of stylistic and technical outreach with each subsequent recording. Meissner's debut, I'll Remember April (Lydian Jazz, 2009), emerged as a ...
read moreSusie Meissner: Tea for Two
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by C. Michael Bailey
Natural but determined evolution makes for well conceived and produced projects. Vocalist Susie Meissner has proved this statement as she progressed from her debut recording I'll Remember April (Lydian Jazz, 2009), through her sophomore effort, I'm Confessin' (Lydian Jazz, 2011) to the present Tea for Two. Using a well-worn repertoire, Meissner, mostly with the support of pianist John Shaddy and his regular rhythm section (bassist Lee Smith and drummer Dan Monaghan), has steadily moved from solid, if not predictable, arrangements ...
read moreThe DIVA Jazz Orchestra: DIVA + The Boys
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by Dan Bilawsky
The all-female DIVA Jazz Orchesta has a boy-meets-girls story threaded into its origin, as drummer Stanley Kay served as the impetus behind the group's formation. Therefore, it's only fitting that the ladies have a few gentleman over to join them for some high times in the music every now and then. This eight-song set, recorded live at Pittsburgh's Manchester Craftsmen's Guild in March of 2017, finds clarinetist Ken Peplowski, dearly departed trumpeter Claudio Roditi, trombonist Jay Ashby, and ...
read moreThe DIVA Jazz Orchestra: DIVA + the Boys
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by Jack Bowers
After more than twenty-five years as one of the world's most renowned big bands, drummer Sherrie Maricle's superlative all-female DIVA Jazz Orchestra invited a quartet of the boys" onboard to help ensure the ensemble's twelfth album's success. Even though DIVA needs no consorts to affirm its unremitting mastery, it is nonetheless pleasurable to witness these talented women sharing the stage and blowing up a storm with such esteemed guest artists as clarinetist Ken Peplowski, trombonist Jay Ashby and (it hurts ...
read moreThe Ken Peplowski Big Band: Sunrise
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by Jack Bowers
Many contemporary big bands are all about breaking new ground" and exploring new pathways." Not this one. Ace clarinetist Ken Peplowski, who has performed and recorded with myriad large ensembles, at home and abroad, but has seldom led one--although he did record one other big-band album, Last Swing of the Century (Concord Jazz, 1999)--simply wants to make beautiful music, a goal he and his hand-picked corps of merry men (and one woman) easily reach on Sunrise, as they glide smoothly ...
read moreAn artful blending of two musical genres
![An artful blending of two musical genres](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/90e2c4d526a5216fee3e91144f6bee7d.jpg)
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Ken Franckling's Jazz Notes
Jazz and classical music rarely intersect. But they make interesting bedfellows when brought together by two musicians who are well at ease in both fields. Such was the case on Saturday, February 24 when pianist Dick Hyman and reed player Ken Peplowski joined forces with a 47-member orchestra conducted by Yakov Bergman. The Symphony of Broadway" program at the Venice (FL) Performing Arts Center featured a wide variety of band formats.. Hyman, who turns 91 on March 8, has been ...
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This Week On Riverwalk Jazz: Clarinet Marmalade
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Don Mopsick
This week on Riverwalk Jazz The Jim Cullum Jazz Band offers an exploration of great pre-WWII voices of jazz clarinet with the help of prominent contemporary exponents of the old school." Evan Christopher, Bob Wilber, Kenny Davern and Ken Peplowski perform with the Band and talk about their mentors and influences. The program is distributed in the US by Public Radio International. You can also drop in on a continuous stream of shows at the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound. ...
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Columbus Jazz Orchestra Pays Tribute To The King Of Swing In Bravo, Benny!: The Famous 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert
![Columbus Jazz Orchestra Pays Tribute To The King Of Swing In Bravo, Benny!: The Famous 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/90e2c4d526a5216fee3e91144f6bee7d.jpg)
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Scott Vezdos
Columbus, OH – Under the direction of world-renowned band leader and trumpet virtuoso Byron Stripling, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra (CJO) continues to break new ground while honoring the rich heritage of America’s classical music – jazz. On March 13-16 at the Southern Theatre, the CJO pays tribute to the “King of Swing” and his famous 1938 Carnegie Hall concert with “Bravo, Benny!” featuring Ken Peplowski and Bria Skonberg. On January 16, 1938, Benny Goodman brought his swing orchestra to America’s ...
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14th Annual Newport Beach Jazz Party Set Feb. 12-16
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Larry Taylor
Upcoming on Valentine’s Day weekend,eb.13-16, will be the 14th annual Newport Beach Jazz Party at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa in Orange county, California,featuring over 70 musicians playing Right Down The Middle And Straight Ahead” Jazz. Among the highlights this year is a Salute to Jazz at the Philharmonic which toured decades ago, a tribute to Stan Getz and a Valentines Day dance. Here is a rundown of the other events: Thursday’s opening night in the ballroom features ...
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Ken Peplowski Keeps It Fresh and Vibrant with "In Search Of. . . "
![Ken Peplowski Keeps It Fresh and Vibrant with "In Search Of. . . "](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/90e2c4d526a5216fee3e91144f6bee7d.jpg)
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Gapplegate Music Review by Grego Edwards
For someone who is playing within a tradition, it is important to keep inspiration high, to keep yourself challenged and contributing on a high level. Where perhaps some have fallen victim over time to a kind of creeping fungus of the repertoire, the same tunes played in the same ways time and again, Ken Peplowski has found ways to keep his music very much a thing of today. His newest, In Search of. . . (Capri 74108-2), is a particularly ...
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From the Stacks 2011, Vol. 3: Michel Reis, Pitom, Rhys Chatham, Ken Peplowski, Others
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Something Else!
by S. Victor Aaron Rhys Chatham: The Man With The Horns. Many, many horns. It might be only the third Stacks so far this year, but it's a much overdue one. There's a whopping seven 2011 releases discussed here, with several other worthy ones being pushed back to a later fourth installment. Two of these albums are by veteran acts, but the remaining five capture five budding talents at or near the beginning of their recording careers as leaders. Some ...
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Columbus Jazz Orchestra Honors Three BS of Jazz with "Basie, Buddy & Benny" Featuring Butch Miles & Ken Peplowski
![Columbus Jazz Orchestra Honors Three BS of Jazz with "Basie, Buddy & Benny" Featuring Butch Miles & Ken Peplowski](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/9053b783e09c2d3bbe99bf8a681dfb37.jpg)
Source:
Michael Ricci
Jazz royalty takes center stage as the Jazz Arts Group of Columbus (JAG) celebrates Count Basie, Buddy Rich and the King of Swing," Benny Goodman, March 16-20 at the historic Southern Theatre. Under the direction of Artistic Director Byron Stripling, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra honors the three Bs of jazz with Basie, Buddy & Benny" featuring drummer Butch Miles and clarinetist Ken Peplowski. Playing with such luminaries as Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dave Brubeck, Mel Torme, Lena ...
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Ken Peplowski Quartet Friday & Saturday , January 4-5 at Kitano 2 Sets - 8:00 PM & 10:00 PM
![Ken Peplowski Quartet Friday & Saturday , January 4-5 at Kitano 2 Sets - 8:00 PM & 10:00 PM](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/90e2c4d526a5216fee3e91144f6bee7d.jpg)
Source:
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
Friday & Saturday, January 4-5, 2008 Ken Peplowski Quartet with Jay Leonhart-bass, Ted Rosenthal-piano, Tom Melito-drums At Kitano 66 Park Avenue (at 38th St.) New York City 212-885-7119 2 SETS - 8:00 PM & 10:00 PM $25 FRI./SAT. - $15 MIN./SET The late Mel Tormesaid, Since the advent of Benny Goodman,there have been too few clarinetists to fill the void that Goodman left. Ken Peplowski is ...
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Jay Leonhardt Trio with Special Guest Ken Peplowski
![Jay Leonhardt Trio with Special Guest Ken Peplowski](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/old/images/large/jeigo2006.jpg)
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Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
FRIDAY & SAT AUGUST 24 & 25 THE KITANO HOTEL 66 Park Ave @ E.38 Street New York, N.Y. 212-885-7000
Presents the JAYLEONHART TRIO Jay Leonhart - Bass Wycliffe Gordon - Trombone Ted Rosenthal - Piano with Special Guest Ken Peplowski on Sax Friday August 24 only.
SETS AT 8:OO PM AND 10:00 PM RESERVATION ADVISED ...
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Ken Peplowski Quartet Featuring Bill Charlap and Martin Wind March 15-18 at the Jazz Standard
![Ken Peplowski Quartet Featuring Bill Charlap and Martin Wind March 15-18 at the Jazz Standard](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/old/images/large/jeigo2006.jpg)
Source:
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
March 15-18 at the Jazz Standard
Ken Peplowski Quartet featuring Bill Charlap and Martin Wind
Ken Peplowski - clarinet, tenor saxophone Bill Charlap - piano Martin Wind - bass Joe LaBarbara - drums
Jazz Standard is located at 116 E. 27th Street between Lexington and Park Avenues in Manhattan 212-576-2232 http://www.jazzstandard.net ALL SHOW TIMES: 7:30 & 9:30PM + 11:30PM ON FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS
A masterful melodist with an effortless sense ...
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Halley Shoenberg
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Black Nightgown
From: The Peplowski ProjectBy Ken Peplowski
Black Nightgown
From: The Peplowski ProjectBy Ken Peplowski
Enrapture
From: EnraptureBy Ken Peplowski