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Clarinet Virtuoso Ken Peplowski Dies at 66
20 Feb
Summary
- Ken Peplowski, a celebrated clarinetist, passed away recently at age 66.
- He mastered both traditional and modern jazz styles on his instruments.
- Peplowski battled blood cancer before his unexpected death.
Jazz musician Ken Peplowski, celebrated for his exceptional clarinet and tenor saxophone talents, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 66. His career was marked by a remarkable ability to navigate the complexities of both traditional and modern jazz genres.
Peplowski rose to prominence in New York, developing a solo career that saw him release over 70 albums. He was lauded by critics, with Russell Davies calling him "arguably the greatest living jazz clarinettist." His musical journey began in Cleveland, Ohio, where his father encouraged him to play the clarinet in a family polka band.
He later expanded his repertoire, mastering the tenor saxophone and immersing himself in the full spectrum of jazz. This led to collaborations with notable musicians and performances with major orchestras, including a stint with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. His neo-mainstream approach resonated with peers like Warren Vaché and Scott Hamilton.
In recent years, Peplowski faced a significant health challenge, battling multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer, which had sidelined him for three years. He had recently begun performing publicly again, with his comeback album released in 2024. At the time of his death, he was performing on a jazz cruise in the Gulf of Mexico.
