THE VISIT last Wednesday of clarinettist and tenor saxophonist Ken Peplowskiv brought the expected pleasures no surprises or disappointments of any great moment in a night of solidly swinging mainstream jazz.
Organised by the Dublin Jazz Society, the concert provided him with support from Peter O'Brien (piano), Dave Fleming (bass) and John Wadham (drums) which was highly competent and, in Wadham's case, somewhat more than that although the pianist seemed a somewhat conservative choice, given that Peplowski has a wider stylistic grasp than the "mainstream" tag might suggest.
It is in the nature of such pick-up situations that the repertoire is full of old reliables and familiar ground. Thus there were standards like You Took Advantage Of Me, Someone To Watch Over Me, It All Depends On You, Limehouse Blues, Lisa, Broadway, Body And Soul, Ring Dem Bells and On The Sunny Side Of The Street, all treated with skill and understanding.
But Peplowski also threw in a few unusual choices in this context pieces such as Dizzy Gillespie's Ow, Luiz Bonfa's Menina Flor and a seldom played touch of Ellingtonia in Johnny Come Lately. It worked well, with the leader's soft-toned tenor sound, reminiscent of the late Eddie Miller, particularly effective on I've Never Been In Love Before (which established a wonderful quartet groove) and in a well-sustained solo on the ballad It's Easy To Remember.
In fact, Peplowski's ballad performances, notably a gorgeously lyrical clarinet excursion on In A Sentimental Mood, were probably the high points of an evening best described overall as cosy, much enjoyed by a capacity audience.
