This is beyond heartbreaking, Ken was an absolutely incredible musician, and a beautiful and very very funny guy. He died on the Jazz Cruise this past Monday, amongst his brothers and sisters, and we’ll never be the same. I’d love to hear from some of you out there who knew and/or played with him, especially John Goldsby, and I’ll leave with my favorite Ken story. I had a gig with him in a German lodge/beer hall type place near Youngstown Ohio, and we were about to go up when he turned to me and said “Mike, if you’ve ever had the urge to quote Springtime for Hitler, now is NOT the time”. R.I.P. Ken, we’re gonna miss you
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Double Bass R.I.P. Ken Peplowski
- Thread starter Michael Karn
- Start date
John Goldsby
Supporting Member
- Mar 4, 2003
- 1,172
- 2,160
- Disclosures
- Bassist @ WDR Big Band Cologne, Discover Double Bass, Conservatorium Maastricht, NL
Hi @Michael Karn … It’s great that you got to work with Ken and experience his virtuosity and wit. I knew Ken very well in the ‘80s/‘90s and we worked all kinds of great gigs and bizarre gigs together. He asked me to play on his first couple of albums for Concord, and I think we play on a few others together.
The amazing thing about Ken was his complete mastery of the clarinet and tenor saxophone, and his deep knowledge of the history of jazz and pop music. I also played at various “jazz parties” with Ken, where he was a star among the fans and musicians alike. He had the showman role down, but when he was just blowing, there was no stopping him. Here’s brief sampling of his early albums that we played on together:
Steppin’ with Peps
Double Exposure
I last played with Ken in 2019 in Bulach, Switzerland. He was still on fire, funny, and full of life.
I count Ken as one of the greatest musicians I’ve worked with—a virtuoso with a heart of gold and love of life.
The amazing thing about Ken was his complete mastery of the clarinet and tenor saxophone, and his deep knowledge of the history of jazz and pop music. I also played at various “jazz parties” with Ken, where he was a star among the fans and musicians alike. He had the showman role down, but when he was just blowing, there was no stopping him. Here’s brief sampling of his early albums that we played on together:
Steppin’ with Peps
Double Exposure
I last played with Ken in 2019 in Bulach, Switzerland. He was still on fire, funny, and full of life.
I count Ken as one of the greatest musicians I’ve worked with—a virtuoso with a heart of gold and love of life.
I was fortunate to know, work with and record with Ken. He was everything that his colleagues and friends have said about him. First and foremost a very deep and accomplished musician. Given his mastery of clarinet and tenor as well as his vast stylistic ability, he was really in a category unto himself. And he was a very funny and clever man.
Years ago I met and became friends with Chuck Redd. At that time he was shedding vibraphone and about to launch a career as a doubler. The first time Ken hired him play vibes Chuck played a typically swinging solo. When he was finished Ken leaned over and whispered in his ear “ Chuck that was great but we are in Eb!”. Of course he was kidding. The world was lucky to have as long as we did.
Years ago I met and became friends with Chuck Redd. At that time he was shedding vibraphone and about to launch a career as a doubler. The first time Ken hired him play vibes Chuck played a typically swinging solo. When he was finished Ken leaned over and whispered in his ear “ Chuck that was great but we are in Eb!”. Of course he was kidding. The world was lucky to have as long as we did.
Hey Marshall, I’m very sorry to not have mentioned you by name in my original post, I definitely should have. Chuck was on my first gig with Ken, a big band hit at Birdland
I certainly didn’t even notice Mike. The Ken Peplowski big band recording is fantastic! I’m guessing you played those charts at Birdland. I’d recommend that recording to everyone. And again, Ken was a superb musician and about as funny as they come!
