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…
George Duke (1946–2013) in concert with the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra.
(Photo: Courtesy SJO)The Symphonic Jazz Orchestra, led by music director and founder Mitch Glickman, has announced the 8th Annual George Duke Commissioning Prize Competition. Established in 2002, the competition now honors the legacy of the late keyboardist, composer and producer George Duke (1946–2013), a former SJO co-music director. It resumes this year following a hiatus due to the COVID pandemic.
Offering a prize of $5,000, the George Duke Commissioning Prize Competition for a new orchestral score blending jazz and classical music is open to all composers, with a submission deadline of Aug. 15. The SJO Music Advisory Board, whose members include Billy Childs, John Clayton, Joseph Conlan, Peter Erskine, Christian McBride, Bob Mintzer and Ernie Watts, will select the winning composer, whose work will be premiered in concert by the SJO and entered into the catalog of symphonic jazz commissions. To date, the competition has resulted in 18 new works. Past winners include Alan Chan, Scott Routenberg, G. Patrick Gandy, Daniel Szabo, Remy Le Boeuf, Jihye Lee and Christopher Zuar.
“We are excited to resume the competition and select a new composer to commission in George Duke’s honor,” Glickman said. “George embodied our mission, and this is always a special way to honor his legacy.”
Created in 2002, the 68-member SJO is a hybrid ensemble dedicated to blending the worlds of jazz and classical music through its commissioning, performing and educational programs. The ensemble has performed throughout Southern California with leading guest artists including Duke, Dave Grusin, Christian McBride, Raul Midon, Lee Ritenour, Luciana Souza, The Yellowjackets, Chris Brubeck, Miguel Zenón and Keyon Harrold.
To apply for the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra’s George Duke Commissioning Prize, visit sjomusic.org or call (310) 876-8130. DB
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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