Ken Peplowski: Live at Mezzrow

When one is diagnosed with multiple myeloma, as woodwind specialist Ken Peplowski was in June 2021, there are basically two alternatives: either accept the decision and throw in the towel or choose to fight and double down on doing what keeps you active and hopeful, in this case making beautiful music that swings. Obviously, as epitomized by the album Live at Mezzrow, Peplowski chose the latter path, and three years on has apparently won the battle, at least for now, as the cancer is in remission and Peplowski's music is as elegant and charming as ever.

This is a quartet date, recorded live in February 2023 at Spike Wilner's New York City jazz club, Mezzrow, and Peplowski couldn't have chosen a stronger or more compatible array of side men than pianist Ted Rosenthal, bassist Martin Wind and drummer Willie Jones III, each of whom is not only a splendid accompanist but a stellar soloist as well. Peplowski, a master of every wind instrument, slides easily from tenor sax to clarinet on this date, choosing tenor on four of the session's ten numbers, clarinet on the others, including the last four.

The playlist is delightful, spread equally among impressive original compositions and enduring standards from the Great American Songbook. Especially welcome are the lovely and hopeful "Cabin in the Sky" (from the 1943 film of that name) and "Bright Mississippi," Thelonious Monk's sunny revision of "Sweet Georgia Brown." "Prisoner of Love," "All the Things You Are" and "The Shadow of Your Smile" glide forward in their usual low gear, as does Artie Butler and Phyllis Molinary's soulful anthem, "Here's to Life." Completing the alluring program are "Beautiful Love," Andre Previn and Paul Francis Webster's "Like Young," plus the upbeat finale, Duke Ellington's "Who Knows."

Peplowski is typically stunning throughout, never downplaying a note or phrase as he unveils and enhances the emotional core in every number. Rosenthal is no less impressive, gently massaging the ballads and happily stroking the swingers, while Wind and Jones not only lend unflagging rhythmic support but solo with insight and enthusiasm whenever called upon. Happily, Peplowski is not only Live at Mezzrow, he is alive and well, and playing as adroitly and pleasurably as ever.

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