Noir Blue

Ken Peplowski is one of the most accomplished musicians in the second half-century of jazz. His lithe clarinet or literate tenor saxophone playing earmarks a curiosity for many facets within mainstream jazz that he employs. On Noir Blue — his first CD for the Capri label — Peplowski explores that variety in a swinging framework with original material, standards, and interpretations of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn's music. With the exceptional pianist Shelly Berg, bassist Jay Leonhart, and drummer Joe La Barbera, the reedman can scarcely do anything wrong in playing enjoyable, populist jazz that is as consistent as anyone could wish for. The title selection is an obscure but beautiful Strayhorn ballad that Peplowski plays expertly on clarinet, while the light Latin Berg composition "Home with You" is warm and fuzzy as can be. A contemporary beat à la Ahmad Jamal is employed on Ellington's lesser-known "Bourbon Street Jingling Jollies," with "The Best Thing for You" done in a brisk bop. Reminiscent of Lester Young, Peplowski's tenor sax is in vintage form for the upbeat swinger penned by La Barbera "If Not For You," and pays homage to Thelonious Monk and Ornette Coleman, inspired in angular and quirky tones during Peplowski's original "Little Dogs." Of many excellent albums he has produced in his three-decade career, this is one of the most complete and satisfying efforts the top-drawer figure has ever produced, and deserves a most high recommendation. ~ Michael G. Nastos, Rovi