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Ken Peplowski: All the Things You Are

By John Chacona
July 17, 2024
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Even if you are new to jazz, you have likely heard "All the Things You Are" dozens of times, maybe hundreds. But you have never heard it like this. Jerome Kern's tour through the circle of fifths, catnip for improvisers, is usually played as a mid-tempo stroll or faster, but it was written as a ballad for the Broadway stage. On Live at Mezzrow (Cellar Music Group, 2024). Ken Peplowski doubles down on the concept, adopting a daringly slow tempo for a performance of almost prayerful concentration. Peplowski's breath control on the clarinet is sovereign (that A-flat held from the bridge to the final A section at 1:16!), and all the more remarkable considering his recent treatment for multiple myeloma (happily, he is in full remission). The trio of pianist Ted Rosenthal, Martin Wind on bass and drummer Willie Jones III support the clarinetist with playing of velvet subtlety.

Contact John Chacona on All About Jazz.
John Chacona is a freelance journalist, content writer and producer in Cleveland.

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