On February 2, 2026, Ken Peplowski played his last notes aboard The Jazz Cruise in the Gulf of Mexico. He was 66 years old, he was in the middle of a comeback, and by all accounts he sounded extraordinary.

The next day, he was gone. In this episode of the Clarinet Ninja Podcast, Jay Hassler sits down with three of the greatest jazz clarinetists alive: Anat Cohen, Paquito D’Rivera, and Evan Christopher. Anat and Paquito were on that cruise. All three played many times with Ken. Anat and Paquito night before he died.

What follows is not an obituary. It is a portrait, built from the memories of people who knew Ken on the bandstand and off it. They talk about his sound, his humor, his Midwestern humility, his extraordinary repertoire, and what it felt like to stand next to someone who made every musician around him better.

This episode covers the final performance on the Jazz Cruise, Ken’s tone and technique as described by three world-class clarinetists, his unique place in the long history of jazz clarinet, his years-long battle with multiple myeloma, his planned comeback, and the legacy he leaves for anyone who plays or loves the clarinet. Ken Peplowski recorded more than 70 albums as a leader, played with Benny Goodman, performed at Carnegie Hall and Birdland, and was called by many the greatest living jazz clarinetist.

He was also, by every account in this episode, one of the funniest and most generous people in jazz. As Evan Christopher says near the end of this conversation: “He wasn’t trying to sell anything. He was just trying to deliver.”

Find Ken’s recordings on all major streaming platforms. Start anywhere. You will know within thirty seconds that you are hearing someone who knew exactly what he was doing.

Guests: Anat Cohen, Paquito D’Rivera, Evan Christopher

Topics: Ken Peplowski, jazz clarinet, The Jazz Cruise, multiple myeloma, Benny Goodman Orchestra, swing jazz, clarinet tone and technique, jazz history, jazz tribute The Clarinet Ninja Podcast is hosted by Jay Hassler and covers clarinet performance, jazz history, and the stories of the musicians who dedicate their lives to the instrument. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Lee Mergner: https://leemergner.substack.com/

John Abbot: https://johnabbottphoto.com/

Cory Weeds/Cellar Records: https://www.cellarlive.com/

Clarinet Ninja: https://www.clarinetninja.com/

Clarinet Ninja Dojo: https://www.clarinetninja.com/dojo-landing