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David Larsen: The Peplowski Project

By Jack Bowers
April 23, 2023
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The Peplowski Project was a labor of love for saxophonist

David Larsen

saxophone, baritone
b.1980

" data-original-title="" title="">David Larsen, a longtime admirer of fellow reedman

" data-original-title="" title="">Ken Peplowski who sits in with Larsen's impressive quartet on each of the album's eleven numbers, playing clarinet on six, tenor saxophone on five.

As for Larsen, he plays his

Gerry Mulligan

saxophone, baritone
1927 - 1996

" data-original-title="" title="">Gerry Mulligan-flavored baritone sax on five of the session's first six numbers, then sets it aside in favor of the alto (on

Al Cohn

saxophone, tenor
1925 - 1988

" data-original-title="" title="">Al Cohn's "Jazz Line Blues"), tenor or clarinet (a two-horn discourse with Peplowski on the even-tempered closer, "Two Funky People," the second of Cohn's admirable compositions). Larsen numbers Cohn among his leading influences, and his three clever originals ("He Who Getz the Last Laugh," "Into the Mild," "Tenor for Dinner") sound as though they could have been written by Cohn himself.

After opening with a sunlit reading of Jerome Kern's exquisite ballad, "All the Things You Are," the ensemble turns to

Johnny Mandel

arranger
b.1925

" data-original-title="" title="">Johnny Mandel's shapely "Black Nightgown" (a staple of Mulligan's Concert Jazz Band, written for the film I Want to Live!), then to

Billy Byers

trombone
b.1927

" data-original-title="" title="">Billy Byers' fast-moving "Doodle Oodle" (based on the standard "Sweet Georgia Brown"). Larsen plays baritone sax on "Last Laugh,"

Duke Ellington

piano
1899 - 1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Duke Ellington's "In a Sentimental Mood" and "Into the Mild," switching to alto on "Jazz Line Blues," tenor on "Sunny Side of the Street" and "Tenor for Dinner" (on which Peplowski also plays tenor). He could be playing clarinet, with Peplowski on tenor, on the standard "Love Me or Leave Me" (another Mulligan favorite), or it could be the other way around; the album offers no clue, and the solos could be either/or.

There really is no need, however, to know who is wielding which horn or when, as every ad lib on this splendid session is so admirable that it matters not whether Peplowski or Larsen is in charge. One seldom hears more consistently engaging solos than these (reinforcing perceptive statements from pianist

Jake Svendsen

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Jake Svendsen and bassist

Josh Skinner

bass, acoustic

" data-original-title="" title="">Josh Skinner who with drummer Brendan McMurphy comprise a superior rhythm section). Add equal parts Larsen and Peplowski and you have by any measure one of the year's outstanding contemporary small-group albums, straight-ahead and swinging department. Easily recommended.

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Track Listing

All the Things You Are; Black Nightgown; Doodle Oodle; He Who Getz the Last Laugh; In a Sentimental Mood; Into the Mild; Jazz Line Blues; Love Me or Leave Me; On the Sunny Side of the Street; Tenor for Dinner; Two Funky People.

Personnel

David Larsen

saxophone, baritone

Ken Peplowski

woodwinds

Jake Svendsen

piano

Josh Skinner

bass, acoustic

Brendan McMurphy

drums

Album information

Title: The Peplowski Project | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Self Produced

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