Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Ken Peplowski Quartet: Lost In the Stars
Ken Peplowski Quartet: Lost In the Stars
Straight-ahead clarinet-lead quartet...
One of the finest clarinetists to emerge in since the 1990s, Ken Peplowski has not so much redefined the jazz clarinet as rejuvenate it in the mainstream. The majority of his recent recordings have focused on Benny Goodman and swing-era music (hear last Swing of the Century , Tribute to Benny Goodman Volumes 1 & 2 on Nagel Heyer). He has taken a turn into the more modern sounds, performing with Randy Sandke and his Inside Out Jazz Collective .
On Lost in the Stars, Peplowski shows up in a simple quartet setting for a studio recital of standards and originals composed by his pianist, Ben Aronov and bassist Greg Cohen. He divides his time almost equally between clarinet and tenor saxophone, producing a very well rounded collection of mainstream jazz. He is even able to breath some life into the very tired "My Ship." Enough life, anyway, to make me want to listen to it over and over again. Peplowski surprises with the inclusion of a little-known Billy Strayhorn piece, "Ballad Of Very Tired And Very Sad Lotus Eaters." This has the unmistakable mark of Ellington/Strayhorn. It is beautiful. Morton Gould’s "Piece #8 From "Benny’s Gig"" is a swinging plus to the recording, ending it on an upbeat and creative note.
Ken Peplowski is never going to get too far out there and that is okay. Music this refined is a welcome addition to the catalog of any jazz lover.
Track Listing
If This Isn
Personnel
Ken Peplowski
woodwindsKen Peplowski
Album information
Title: Lost In the Stars | Year Released: 2002 | Record Label: Unknown label
About Ken Peplowski
Tags
PREVIOUS / NEXT
Become a Sustaining Member
Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.
Help Build the Future of All About Jazz
Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.
Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.
Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.
