JAZZ IN THE BOX: Ken Peplowski & Rossano Sportello

 

The hottest little jazz club around is GPAC’s Jazz in the Box! Featuring both new and well-established artists, Jazz in the Box gives you an opportunity to get up close and personal with live jazz. Cabaret seating and drinks for purchase make this a perfect way to kick off your weekend.

 

“Ken Peplowski is arguably the greatest living jazz clarinetist!”

— RUSSELL DAVIES, BBC23

 

“When you grow up in Cleveland, Ohio, playing in a Polish polka band, you learn to think fast on your feet,” says Ken Peplowski, who played his first pro engagement when he was still in elementary school. “From my first time performing in public, I knew I wanted to play music for a living.”

 

After a year of college, Ken joined the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra under the direction of Buddy Morrow. In 1980, Ken moved to New York City and was soon playing all kinds of jazz—from traditional to avante-garde—in all kinds of settings. In 1984, Benny Goodman came out of retirement to put together a new band and hired Ken on tenor saxophone.

 

The litany of musicians Ken has collaborated with includes Mel Tormé, Leon Redbone, Charlie Byrd, Peggy Lee, George Shearing, Madonna, Hank Jones, Dave Frishberg, Rosemary Clooney, Tom Harrell, James Moody, Cedar Walton, Houston Person, Steve Allen, Bill Charlap, Woody Allen, Marianne Faithfull, Isaac Delgado, and Erich Kunzel. (“Although not necessarily in that order,” says Ken).