Peplowski, Ken
Concord, 2024, CD
Instrument: Saxophone
Issue: 30.2
Jazz Ruler Type: Bebop
Performance: 4
Sound: 3
Score: 79
O’s Notes: Ken Peplowski has been making great sound on reeds for many years. On his latest encounter Unheard Bird, he employs a large ensemble, including strings for an orchestral sound on jazz renditions of many classic tunes. These are arrangements made by Charlie Parker for a string ensemble that were never recorded. Peplowski is the benefactor and while he can’t match Bird’s chops, the performance is strong. We enjoyed “Stardust” with an excellent trumpet solo by Terell Stafford. The mood is electrifying on “Ezz-Thetic” with dazzling solos aplenty! Ken gets melodic on several tunes as well like “I Cover The Waterfront” and “Summertime”, bathed by strings. Charlie Parker would be proud of the effort!
Publicist: Arbors