#kenpeplowski

Remembering Ken Peplowski ...

Ken Peplowski – Live At Mezzrow

“The great saxophonist and clarinetist Ken Peplowski is a prodigious performer and has recorded over 70 CDs as a soloist, and close to 400 as a sideman. He has performed and recorded with artists including Charlie Byrd, Mel Torme, Rosemary Clooney, Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops, Hank Jones, Peggy Lee, Bill Charlap, Woody Allen, Benny Goodman, and Madonna. He travels at least half of every year, playing clubs, concert halls, colleges, and pops concerts and has headlined the Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, Birdland Jazz Club, the Blue Note, and Dizzy’s Club amongst many other venues. What you’ll hear on this record is the best of two killer, one hour sets recorded live at Mezzrow in NYC featuring Peplowski on Clarinet & Tenor Saxophone, Ted Rosenthal on Piano, Martin Wind on Bass and Willie Jones III on Drums,”- Editorial Reviews

KEN PEPLOWSKI (MAY 23, 1959 - FEBRUARY 2, 2026)

American jazz clarinetist and tenor saxophonist Ken Peplowski passed away on February 2, 2026. He was 66 years old.

Peplowski was widely regarded as one of the greatest living jazz clarinetists, known for his incredible virtuosity and a career that included playing in Benny Goodman's last band. Major jazz venues like Birdland Jazz Club have expressed devastation at the loss of a musician they described as a "witty, wise presence" and a "true king" of his generation.

Ken Peplowski Quartet – Memories Of You

Eddie Higgins & Scott Hamilton & Ken Peplowski – Essential Best

Eddie Higgins – piano Scott Hamilton – tenor saxophone Ken Peplowski – tenor saxophone Jay Leonhart – bass Joe Ascione – drums

Ken Peplowski – With Every Breath I Take

Ken Peplowski – With Every Breath I Take