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…
Naxos will release three recordings on April 29. The CD releases include Charlie Parker and Arne Domnerus in Sweden, and Sahib Shihab and the Danish Radio Jazz Group. The third release is a DVD featuring Louis Armstrong live in Australia.
The Parker/Domnerus album was recorded on Nov. 22, 1950. The musicians performed separate sets during the concert. At the time, the Swedish jazz critics noted that Domnerus was possibly the most faithful Parker disciple of all.
The Danish Radio Jazz Group was founded in October 1961 when 10 jazz musicians were granted permission to make one monthly broadcast. The next season the broadcasts were doubled, and by 1964, the band was increased to 12 musicians, including frequent guest musicians such as saxophonist Shihab. The tunes on this disc were recorded at a pair of 1965 sessions. Besides the baritone sax and flute playing of Shihab, the group featured Palle Mikkelborg, trumpet; Bent Jædig, tenor sax; Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, bass; Ben Axen, piano; and Alex Riel, drums.
Live In Australia is the complete concert performance of Armstrong during a tour in 1964. The band included Louis Armstrong, vocals, trumpet; Jewel Brown, vocals; Joe Darensbourg, clarinet, percussion; Trummy Young, trombone, vocals, percussion; Billy Kyle, piano; Arvell Shaw, bass; Danny Barcelona, drums.
More info: naxos.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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