Ken Peplowski, Acclaimed Jazz Clarinetist and Saxophonist, Dies at 66
Ken Peplowski, the virtuoso jazz musician renowned for his mastery of the clarinet and tenor saxophone, has died suddenly at the age of 66. His passing marks the loss of a figure whom the BBC's Russell Davies once described as "arguably the greatest living jazz clarinettist." Peplowski's career deftly straddled the worlds of traditional and modern jazz, leaving an indelible mark on the genre.
From Polish Weddings to Jazz Fame
Born on May 23, 1959, in Garfield Heights, a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio, with strong Polish roots, Peplowski was introduced to music early. His father, Norbert, a police officer and amateur accordion player, formed a family polka band called the Harmony Kings. At just 10 years old, Ken was assigned the clarinet, playing at Polish weddings and events around Cleveland. "It wasn't my choice. I was just given the instrument but I liked it straight away," he later recalled, telling writer Chip Deffaa, "I just fell in love with music and playing for people and entertaining."
Mastering the Clarinet in a Bebop Era
Peplowski's principal claim to jazz fame stemmed from his exceptional skill with the clarinet, an instrument that struggled to find its place after bebop became the genre's dominant language. Clarinetists who could meet the harmonic and technical demands of this advanced style were rare, and opportunities were scarce. Initially, it seemed Peplowski might follow a more traditional path in Dixieland jazz, where clarinet players remained in demand.
However, after moving to New York at age 21 with a growing reputation, he broke free from these constraints and flourished. His solo career blossomed nationally and internationally, evidenced by over 70 albums under his own name and numerous appearances as a sideman. Inspired by Benny Goodman's recordings, Peplowski immersed himself in jazz's entire lexicon, from ancient to modern, and studied with bebop saxophonist Sonny Stitt.
A Career of Collaboration and Innovation
Peplowski's journey included forming a quartet while studying at Cleveland State College and impressing at the city's jazz festival, which led to a stint with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra from 1978 to 1980, playing lead alto saxophone. Band director Buddy Morrow gave him room for clarinet features and promoted his skills in New York.
In New York, Peplowski quickly gained recognition as a neo-mainstreamer rather than a strict traditionalist, aligning with players like cornettist Warren Vaché, tenor saxophonist Scott Hamilton, and clarinettist Kenny Davern. In 1984, saxophonist Loren Schoenberg recruited him for an all-star big band, later taken over by Benny Goodman for his final performances. Goodman, always encouraging to Peplowski, agreed with Schoenberg's high praise.
Schoenberg noted, "He had that rare combination of virtuosity and velocity and outright swing that made him unique," also commending his Zoot Sims-style saxophone playing and bandstand humour, calling him a natural showman. Peplowski himself said, "I take the music very seriously, but I have fun doing it."
Peak Success and Later Challenges
The 1980s and 1990s were a period of extraordinary success for Peplowski. His contract with Concord Records yielded more than 40 albums, and he toured Japan with Mel Tormé in 1988 and 1992, and with pianist Hank Jones in 1992. He also maintained an ongoing association with eccentric singer-songwriter Leon Redbone.
Recordings proliferated, including an album with Peggy Lee and collaborations with British musicians like pianist Brian Lemon in 1996 and saxophonist Alan Barnes in 2009 and 2010. He was a regular in the UK for events like the Swinging Jazz Party in Blackpool and festivals, including a memorable clarinet pairing with Davern at Brecon.
In 2020, Peplowski faced severe Covid, followed by a diagnosis of multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, in 2021, which sidelined him for three years. Recently, with the cancer in remission, he returned to public performance. His comeback album, Live at Mezzrow, was recorded in 2023 and released in 2024, followed by Unheard Bird, based on Charlie Parker With Strings recordings.
Final Performance and Legacy
At the time of his death, Peplowski was playing on a week-long jazz cruise in the Gulf of Mexico. On its final day, he performed a set with two other world-renowned jazz clarinettists, Anat Cohen and Paquito D'Rivera, to considerable acclaim and at full tilt.
Peplowski's personal life included three marriages that ended in divorce. He is survived by his companion, Pam Stark, his son Marty, daughter Juliana, and brother Ted. Kenneth Joseph Peplowski, a towering figure in jazz, leaves behind a legacy of over 70 albums and countless performances that celebrated the clarinet's enduring voice in jazz.
