Sunday, Jul 6, 2025 at 7:30pm
For over five decades, the Stanford Jazz Festival has been home to iconic performances, from legends like Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Getz to groundbreaking artists like Joshua Redman and Bill Frisell. This year, we’re proud to continue that tradition with 26 extraordinary artists and bands over six weeks of vibrant music and culture.
This summer, we celebrate jazz’s rich roots and its global connections. From the swinging sounds of jazz standards to the rhythms of Brazil and Cuba, our lineup promises a dynamic journey. We’re thrilled to open with Fred Hersch Trio, named Jazz Group of the Year by DownBeat Magazine. Don’t miss the Jeremy Pelt Quintet performing selections from his new album Woven, and be captivated by Ken Peplowski’s interpretation of Charlie Parker’s Unheard Bird. John Pizzarelli celebrates the 40th anniversary of his debut album, while Joel Ross brings vibraphone mastery with his band Good Vibes. Lizz Wright’s soulful vocals and George Cables’ hard bop piano mastery will close out the festival in style.
Each concert is a unique experience, with collaborations and performances you won’t find anywhere else. The Stanford Jazz Festival remains a space where musical boundaries are pushed, and new creative possibilities emerge.
Sun, 7/6/2025 @ 7:30 PM
Ken Peplowski: The Unheard Bird
NEW DISCOVERIES FROM THE BIRD WITH STRINGS CATALOGUE
Clarinetist and saxophonist Ken Peplowski presents Unheard Bird, showcasing Charlie Parker’s unrecorded string arrangements. Accompanied by lush strings and rich woodwinds, Peplowski brings these forgotten masterpieces to life, offering a fresh perspective on Parker’s visionary work.
A modern master of the saxophone and clarinet, Ken Peplowski is one of jazz’s most versatile and accomplished musicians, with over 70 albums as a leader and nearly 400 as a sideman. He has performed and recorded with legends ranging from Hank Jones, Benny Goodman, and Peggy Lee to Madonna and Woody Allen, appearing on the world’s most prestigious stages, including Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, Birdland, and the Blue Note. His artistry effortlessly spans swing, avant-garde jazz, pop, and classical music, with landmark recordings of both the Darius Milhaud Clarinet Concerto and a concerto composed for him by Dick Hyman.
This extraordinary performance offers a rare opportunity to experience Unheard Bird, Peplowski’s breathtaking exploration of Charlie Parker’s lost string arrangements. With lush strings and rich woodwinds as his backdrop, Peplowski brings these long-unheard compositions to life, revealing a fresh and revelatory side of Parker’s genius. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind event.
Made possible by Deb DeMartini and Joan Talbert & David Lyon
Personnel:
Ken Peplowski, Clarinet & Tenor Saxophone
Adam Shulman, Piano
Marcus Shelby, Bass
Sylvia Cuenca, Drums
Cost: $18.00 - $52.00
