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 Monterey Jazz Festival has announced the members of its 2008 Next Generation Jazz Orchestra, the fest’s high school all-star big band.
The Next Generation Jazz Orchestra nurtures the future generation of jazz stars through a program that selects the best and brightest high school jazz musicians in the country. In 2008, the 21-piece jazz orchestra features members selected from 18 high schools.
Under the direction of Paul Contos, the orchestra includes:
Saxophones:
John Palowitch, alto***
Hailey Niswanger, alto
Adam Larson, tenor**
Chad Lefkowitz-Brown, tenor
Owen Broder, baritone**
Trombones:
John Egizi
Javier Nero**
Stephen Szabadi**
Natalie Cressman
Emmanuel Rojas, bass
Trumpets:
Blake Martin
Kevin Early**
Gabe Medd
Nick Frenay**
Noah Hocker
Rhythm:
Emmet Cohen, piano
Mike Gurrola, bass
Armand Hirsch, guitar
Jimmy Macbride, drums
Daniel Nadeau, drums
Richard Saunders, vocals
** 2-time member of NGJO; *** 3-time member of NGJO
More info: montereyjazzfestival.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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