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…
In support of the release of River: The Joni Letters (Verve), pianist Herbie Hancock will embark on a brief tour of West Coast venues this November.
In addition to band members Vinnie Colaiuta, Nathan East and Lionel Loueke, Hancock will be joined by young singer Sonya Kitchell. Kitchell will handle vocal duties for performances of songs appearing on the album, a tribute to Hancock’s friend and fellow music icon Joni Mitchell. “When Sonya and I first met at one of her performances last year, I was blown away by her professionalism, her grace and, of course, her amazing voice,” Hancock said. “We brought her in to perform Joni’s ‘All I Want’ for ‘River,’ and I was sold. She’s definitely one to watch, and I’m thrilled she can join us for the West Coast dates.”
West Coast tour dates include:
Nov. 8: Fairfield Center for the Performing Arts, Fairfield, Calif.
Nov. 9: John Van Duzer Theater, Arcata, Calif.
Nov. 10: Nob Hill Masonic Center, San Francisco (San Francisco Jazz Festival)
Nov. 11: Campbell Hall, Santa Barbara, Calif.
Nov. 14: Centennial Hall, Tucson, Ariz.
Nov. 15: Lensic Performing Arts Center, Santa Fe, N.M.
Nov. 16: Orpheum Theatre, Phoenix
For more details, go to herbiehancock.com.
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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