Ken Peplowski

Kenneth Joseph Peplowski (May 23, 1959 – February 2, 2026) was an American jazz clarinetist and tenor saxophonist. He was known primarily for playing swing music. For over a decade, Peplowski recorded for Concord Records.

Life and career Peplowski was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 23, 1959. In 2007, Peplowski was named jazz advisor of Oregon Festival of American Music and music director of Jazz Party at The Shedd, both in Eugene, Oregon.

Peplowski battled multiple myeloma for five years. He died unexpectedly on February 2, 2026, at the age of 66. He had been participating on a Jazz Cruise aboard the Celebrity Summit when he failed to appear for a scheduled afternoon performance, although he had a reputation of being consistently punctual. Peplowski was subsequently found dead in his cabin.

Awards and honors Best Jazz Record of the Year, Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik, The Natural Touch (1992) The Satchmo Award presented by the Jazz Club of Sarasota in March 2014 Counterpoint: Lerner & Loewe (Arbors ARCD-19471, 2019) Live at Mezzrow (Cellar Music Group CMSLF-007, 2024) – recorded 2023 Unheard Bird (Arbors ARCD-19489, 2024)

As sideman

With Charlie Byrd The Bossa Nova Years (Concord, 1991) Aquarelle (Concord Concerto, 1994) Moments Like This (Concord, 1994) Homage to Jobim (Concord Picante, 2005)

With Eddie Higgins It's Magic (Venus, 2006) It's Magic, Vol. 2 (Venus, 2007) A Handful of Stars (Venus, 2009)

With Dick Hyman Swing Is Here (Reference, 1996) E Pluribus Duo (Victoria Company, 2009) Live at the Kitano (Victoria Company, 2013)

With Susannah McCorkle No More Blues (Concord Jazz, 1989) From Bessie to Brazil (Concord Jazz, 1993) From Broadway to Bebop (Concord Jazz, 1994) Easy to Love: The Songs of Cole Porter (Concord Jazz, 1996)

With Nicki Parrott Like a Lover (Venus, 2011) The Look of Love (Venus, 2014) Yesterday Once More: The Carpenters Song Book (Venus, 2016)

With Leon Redbone

Sugar (Private Music, 1990) Up a Lazy River (Private Music, 1992) Whistling in the Wind (Private Music, 1994)

With Randy Sandke Stampede (Jazzology, 1992) I Hear Music (Concord Jazz, 1993) The Bix Beiderbecke Era (Nagel-Heyer, 1993) The Re-discovered Louis and Bix (Nagel-Heyer, 2000) Inside Out (Nagel-Heyer, 2002) Randy Sandke Meets Bix Beiderbecke (Nagel-Heyer, 2002) The Music of Bob Haggart (Arbors, 2002)

With Loren Schoenberg Time Waits for No One (Musicmasters, 1987) Solid Ground (Musicmasters, 1988) Just A-Settin' and A-Rockin' (Musicmasters, 1990)

With Mel Torme Mel Tormé and the Marty Paich Dektette – Reunion (Concord, 1988) Mel Tormé and the Marty Paich Dektette – In Concert Tokyo (Concord, 1988) Sing Sing Sing (Concord, 1992) A Tribute to Bing Crosby (Concord, 1994)

With others Howard Alden, The Howard Alden Trio Plus Special Guests: Ken Peplowski & Warren Vache (Concord Jazz, 1989) Steve Allen, Steve Allen Plays Jazz Tonight (Concord Jazz, 1993) Lucie Arnaz, Just in Time (Concord Jazz, 1993) Eden Atwood, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Concord Jazz, 1994) Dan Barrett, Strictly Instrumental (Concord Jazz, 1987) Cheryl Bentyne, The Gershwin Songbook (ArtistShare, 2010) Ruby Braff, Cornet Chop Suey (Concord Jazz, 1994) Jim Cullum Jr., Fireworks! Red Hot & Blues (Riverwalk: Live from the Landing, 1996) Peter Ecklund, Peter Ecklund and the Melody Makers (Stomp Off, 1988) Lars Erstrand, Beautiful Friendship (Sittel, 1992) Marianne Faithfull, Easy Come Easy Go (Naive, 2008) Marty Grosz, Acoustic Heat (Sackville, 2006) Scott Hamilton, Groovin' High (Concord Jazz, 1992) Hank Jones, Lazy Afternoon (Concord Jazz, 1989) Rebecca Kilgore, Rebecca Kilgore with the Keith Ingham Sextet (Jump, 2001) Erich Kunzel, Route 66: That Nelson Riddle Sound (Telarc, 2000) Barbara Lea, At the Atlanta Jazz Party (Jazzology, 1993) Peggy Lee, Love Held Lightly (Angel, 1993) Jay Leonhart, Sensitive to the Touch: The Music of Harold Arlen (Groove Jams, 1998) George Masso, Trombone Artistry (Nagel-Heyer, 1995) Michael Moore, The History of Jazz, Volume 1 (Arbors, 2000) Michael Moore, The History of Jazz, Volume 2 (Arbors, 2000) Tommy Newsom, The Feeling of Jazz (Arbors, 1999) John Pizzarelli, Let There Be Love (Telarc, 2000) John Pizzarelli, Italian Intermezzo (Menus and Music, 2000) Spike Robinson & George Masso, Play Arlen (Hep, 1992) Marilyn Scott, Every Time We Say Goodbye (Venus, 2008) George Shearing, George Shearing in Dixieland (Concord Jazz, 1989) Andy Stein, Goin' Places (Stomp Off, 1987) Various, Sweet and Lowdown (original soundtrack) (Sony Classical, 1999) Frank Vignola, Let It Happen (Concord Jazz, 1994) Terry Waldo, Footlight Varieties (Stomp Off, 1990) Carol Welsman, I Like Men (Welcar, 2009) Carol Welsman, Memories of You (Fab, 2009) Paula West, Come What May (Hi Horse, 2001)

Publications Frank Barrett and Ken Peplowski (Sep. - Oct., 1998) "Minimal Structures within a Song: An Analysis of 'All of Me, Organization Science Vol. 9, No. 5