Beloved Musician and Bandleader Found Dead Inside Cruise Cabin

Beloved jazz musician and bandleader Ken Peplowski has died after being found unresponsive in his cabin aboard The Jazz Cruise, according to reports.

A passenger on The Jazz Cruise told TMZ that the 66-year-old clarinetist and saxophonist passed away Monday. Peplowski was scheduled to perform with a quartet later that afternoon, but when he failed to show, a search was launched. He was ultimately found dead in his cabin.

No official cause of death has been released. However, a close friend and former editorial director at WBGO shared that Peplowski had been battling multiple myeloma, describing how he faced the often-fatal cancer with “a unique combination of courage, fortitude, and humor.”

News of his death was announced to passengers just before the evening’s main big band concert. According to a witness, the ballroom reacted with audible gasps before falling into stunned silence.

Peplowski’s passing sent shockwaves through the jazz community, prompting an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow musicians. Michael Lazaroff, executive director of The Jazz Cruise, praised Peplowski not only for his musical brilliance but also for his deep respect for the craft.

“He was a great musician, but he was also one of the very best entertainers ever,” Lazaroff said in a statement. “I do not know any musician who respected the bandstand more than Ken. He was always prepared, loved performing with his fellow musicians, and, man, could he play.”

Fans echoed those sentiments in comments online, remembering Peplowski as both an exceptional talent and a genuinely kind person. One widely liked message read, “Exceptionally nice person and superb musician. Sincere condolences to his family and all his Jazz Cruise colleagues.”

According to Slipped Disc, Peplowski recorded extensively on both clarinet and saxophone and also served as the jazz advisor for the Oregon Festival of American Music. Over his career, he performed at legendary venues including Carnegie Hall and collaborated with countless artists across the jazz world.