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Tribute concert offers unforgettable jazzNov. 17, 2008 KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University's 26th annual "Tribute to the Great Swing Bands" will begin at 8:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, in the Dalton Center Recital Hall. Concert tickets are $10 and $5 for students. They are available at the door or from the Miller Auditorium Ticket Office at (269) 387-2300 or (800) 228-9858. The University Jazz Orchestra and University Jazz Lab Band will honor celebrated swing clarinetist and saxophonist Ken Peplowski, who will perform with both bands to offer an evening of unforgettable jazz favorites from the Ellington, Basie, Benny Goodman and Maynard Ferguson bands. For a swinging combo set between big band performances, he also will join a faculty ensemble consisting of pianist Tad Weed, music instructor; trumpeter Scott Cowan, assistant professor of music; bassist Tom Knific, professor of music; and drummer Tim Froncek. Peplowski rose to stardom early, joining the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra as a featured soloist while he was still in college. He was musically adopted by Benny Goodman later, and was featured in his last band. He has released some 20 albums, many for Concord Records, and his latest CD, "Easy to Remember," features Bobby Short in his final recording. The accomplished jazz vocalist Mel Torme once said of Peplowski: "Since the advent of Benny Goodman, there have been too few clarinetists to fill the void that Goodman left. Ken Peplowski is most certainly one of those few. The man is magic." For more information about Ken Peplowski, visit www.kenpeplowski.com. To learn more about the WMU School of Music, visit wmich.edu/music. Media contact: Kevin West, (269) 387-4678, kevin.west@wmich.edu WMU News |
