Mergner wrote<\/a> today.<\/p>\n\u201cSince 2021, the clarinetist\/saxophonist\/bandleader had been suffering from multiple myeloma. He battled the often fatal disease with a unique combination of courage, fortitude and humor,\u201d he continued, adding:<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter all, humor was just one of Ken\u2019s many remarkable gifts. He was without question the quickest and sharpest wit amongst all our artists. Ken always brought the joy to every gig or occasion. <\/p>\n
\n\u201cNo one came away from a conversation with him without a laugh or smile. His humor was both incisive and self-deprecating. He would as easily make fun of you as he would himself. A truly rare combination.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mergner wrote that Peplowski was one of the most gifted clarinetists on the planet \u2014 and added that his talents didn\u2019t stop there.<\/p>\n
\u201cKen was also a remarkable tenor saxophonist, with a soft and fluid sound that was influenced by Zoot Sims, Stan Getz, Ben Webster and many other tenor greats,\u201d he wrote, adding:<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2019For me, I spend most of my time practicing on clarinet, because that\u2019s the more unforgiving instrument,\u2019\u201d Ken told me. <\/p>\n
\u201c\u2019The technique transfers over to the saxophone. When I pick the saxophone up, it\u2019s all about reminding myself of what I want it to sound like. I\u2019m not saying I achieved this, but my goal for sound on tenor would be people like Ben Webster and Zoot Sims.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Across social media, many agreed with Mergner\u2019s observation that Peplowski was one of the jazz world\u2019s greatest talents.<\/p>\n
Our thoughts go out to his loved ones during this difficult time.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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