Feb 3, 2026 12:10 AM
In Memoriam: Ken Peplowski, 1959–2026
Ken Peplowski, a clarinetist and tenor saxophonist who straddled the worlds of traditional and modern jazz, died Feb. 2…
The American Jazz Museum in Kansas City, Mo., announced the 2008 MCC-Penn Valley 18th & Vine Jazz Festival, held at the museum on April 18-19. The festival has been developed as a non-competitive event providing middle school, high school and collegiate students with an opportunity for increased experience and understanding of American jazz.
Instrumental school jazz ensembles of all levels are invited to perform in two of the museum’s venues - the Gem Theater and the Blue Room jazz club, both located in the Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District. In addition to the performances, all participating students will have opportunities to interact with jazz artists, local musicians and educators.
Each group will receive feedback from festival clinicians onstage. Outstanding festival student musicians and soloists will be announced and awarded certificates of achievement.
“This festival aims to serve as an educational resource for diverse communities and to broaden the public awareness of the artistic, historical and cultural contributions jazz has made to the American experience,” said Clarence Smith, director of Jazz Studies at MCC-Penn Valley.
Members of the Ray Brown Tribute Band, including Christian McBride, Benny Green and Greg Hutchinson, are set to perform in the final Jammin’ at the Gem concert and will conduct master classes with participating students on April 18. On April 19, members of the Billy Hart Quintet, including Billy Hart, Ambrose Akinmusire, Chris Tordini, Mike Pinto and Logan Richardson, will perform in the Blue Room and conduct master classes with students.
More info: americanjazzmuseum.org
Peplowski first came to prominence in legacy swing bands, including the final iteration of the Benny Goodman Orchestra, before beginning a solo career in the late 1980s.
Feb 3, 2026 12:10 AM
Ken Peplowski, a clarinetist and tenor saxophonist who straddled the worlds of traditional and modern jazz, died Feb. 2…
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