Ken Peplowski One 3/14-20
Ken Peplowski got his first gigs while still in elementary school in Cleveland, OH, going on to TV and radio performances in polka bands with his trumpet-playing brother, then went on to play with everyone from Marianne Faithful and Leon Redbone to Peggy Lee and Charlie Byrd.
Ken was only sixty-six when he passed away February 1st after a five-year battle with multiple myeloma. Ken was a joyful, generous spirit and one of the first musicians I played with when I came to New York when we were paired in a jazz festival in front of thousands. I was nervous and he was cool, and his lovely attitude carried me along musically and otherwise, so no one knew I was shaking in my boots except me.
Ken Peplowski Two 3/21-27
The second-half of my 2016 conversation with Ken.
Leonard Maltin Two 3/28-4/3
Film critic, historian, podcast host, educator and, although he rarely admits it, jazz pianist, Leonard Maltin is a tireless evangelist for the music and movies he loves.
Leonard agreed to be one of my first guests on Jazz Inspired, a generous move on his part since he’d been doing this sort of thing for years and I’d been doing it for two minutes. For thirty years, Leonard provided movie reviews and Hollywood insights on Entertainment Tonight, and every now and then, he’d sneak in a jazz feature, which he did on me in 1992, a gift that gave a tremendous boost to my career.
Leonard is as busy as ever, teaching at USC School of Cinematic Arts, lecturing, writing, and talking movies with his daughter Jessie on their podcast Maltin on Movies. I’ve seen Leonard many times since our first chat on this show in 2000 and thought it was time to check in with his latest activities.
Betty Bryant Two 4/4-10
Pianist and cheeky singer/songwriter is a model for how to go through life with humor, joy and purpose. It makes sense that at 96, most would have things figured out if they’ve decided to stay around and keep doing what they love.
Betty came to Jazz Inspired to discuss her CD Lotta Livin’ in 2024 and at the time was a bit nervous about participating in a long-form interview. To her delight, she had a ball and agreed to come back for a second conversation, this time about her CD Nothin’ Better to Do, along with her friend and frequent musical collaborator, multi-instrumentalist, Rob Kyle, whom you’ll hear chime in now and then.
Kristin Korb 4/11-17
Bassist/vocalist Kristin Korb’s latest CD Sweet Dreams is a tribute to the music of The Eurythmics, an idea inspired by her being asked to be a part of a 2023 international Jazz Festival which had the theme of celebrating world-famous duos. Kristin was given a choice of focusing on the Carpenters or The Eurythmics and for multiple reasons, including that she felt it would be the more challenging of the two options, Kristin chose The Eurythmics.
I met Kristin Korb on a jazz cruise in 2009 and became fast friends. I’ve been on stage with another woman only a handful of times during my long career, so our sets were especially welcome. Playing with Kristin is great fun not only because of her deep swing feel and time, but because of her dedication to her craft and her determination to move through life with positivity and joy, a focus I admire and try to practice myself.
Julie Benko 4/18-24
Petra van Nuis & Dennis Luxion 4/25-5/1
Brenda Earl Stokes 5/2-8