Jazz Clarinetist Ken Peplowski Found Dead on Celebrity Summit Cruise
His death reverberated through a floating jazz festival where artists and fans share close quarters, underscoring how music charters have become tight communities at sea.
Jazz clarinetist and saxophonist Ken Peplowski was found dead in his cabin aboard Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Summit during The Jazz Cruise charter sailing, organizers said. He was 66, and the cause of death had not been determined.
Peplowski was discovered on Feb. 2, which organizers described as the final day of the weeklong music cruise. Fellow musicians and passengers noticed his absence when he did not appear for a scheduled afternoon set.
Found after missing a scheduled set
Lee Mergner, a jazz consultant for Signature Cruise Experiences, said Peplowski was slated to play a 4 p.m. show that included pianist Shelly Berg, whom Mergner described as one of Peplowski’s closest friends and colleagues.
A passenger told TMZ that after Peplowski failed to show for the performance, a search was initiated and he was found dead inside his stateroom. Another passenger account described the death being announced to guests before a main evening concert, with the room falling silent.
Organizers confirm the death and share tributes
Mergner, writing in a statement circulated during the sailing, said, “It’s rare that we have to give bad news to our guests and the community at large,” adding that Peplowski “died suddenly.” In a separate post, The Jazz Cruise confirmed the death on Facebook, writing, “We are sad to report that our dear friend Ken Peplowski died yesterday,” and calling him a beloved member of the event’s community.
Michael Lazaroff, executive director of Signature Cruise Experiences, praised Peplowski’s reputation among fellow musicians and his work on stage. “He was a great musician, but he was also one of the very best entertainers ever,” Lazaroff said, adding, “I do not know any musician who respected the bandstand more than Ken.”
Lazaroff also highlighted Peplowski’s preparation and professionalism as a regular presence on the charter. “He was always prepared, loved performing with his fellow musicians, and, man, could he play!” he said.
The Jazz Cruise program and this year’s sailing
The Jazz Cruise is an annual charter event built around live performances throughout the voyage. Its schedule is designed around rotating combinations of artists, with the event’s website describing roughly 100 musicians and more than 200 hours of music during the sailing.
This year’s charter took place aboard Celebrity Summit on a seven-night itinerary that began Jan. 27 from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The sailing included stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas and San Juan, Puerto Rico, before returning to Fort Lauderdale on Feb. 3.
Organizers and passengers said the ship’s schedule was not disrupted. Celebrity Summit returned to Florida as planned and completed the charter itinerary without delay.
Health challenges and a decades-long career
Mergner said Peplowski’s death came after years of health challenges. According to Mergner, Peplowski had been dealing since 2021 with multiple myeloma, a cancer affecting plasma cells in bone marrow. Another account from The Jazz Cruise described him as being in remission following the diagnosis.
Over more than four decades in jazz, Peplowski built a reputation as a bandleader and reed player across multiple styles, releasing more than 50 albums. British jazz critic Russell Davies described him as “arguably the greatest living jazz clarinetist,” according to an obituary published by DownBeat.
DownBeat also reported that Peplowski first gained broader attention through legacy swing bands before establishing a solo career beginning in the late 1980s. His final studio release, Unheard Bird, arrived in 2024.
Mergner described Peplowski as a close personal friend and emphasized his humor and quick wit, adding that when Peplowski made his illness public, members of the jazz community rallied around him with financial and emotional support.
Celebrity Summit’s schedule after the charter
Celebrity Summit is a 91,000-gross-ton Millennium Class ship with capacity for 2,158 guests. Following The Jazz Cruise charter, the ship continued normal operations and departed on its next cruise.
Celebrity Summit is scheduled to sail from Fort Lauderdale on Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries through mid-April. After that, the ship is expected to reposition to the West Coast for the Alaska season, with departures planned from Vancouver, British Columbia, and Seward, Alaska.
Organizers said they plan to hold a more extensive remembrance in Peplowski’s honor during future editions of The Jazz Cruise, as fellow musicians and the wider jazz community continue to mark his contributions on and off the bandstand.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where did Ken Peplowski die during The Jazz Cruise?
Organizers said he was found in his cabin aboard Celebrity Summit while the ship was at sea during The Jazz Cruise charter sailing.
Did Ken Peplowski’s death affect Celebrity Summit’s itinerary?
No. Passengers and organizers said the ship was not delayed, and Celebrity Summit returned to Fort Lauderdale on Feb. 3 as scheduled.
What was Ken Peplowski’s role on The Jazz Cruise?
Peplowski was a featured clarinetist and saxophonist on the charter, performing as part of a program that the event describes as offering more than 200 hours of live music by roughly 100 musicians.
What is The Jazz Cruise?
The Jazz Cruise is an annual charter music cruise built around live jazz performances throughout the voyage. Organizers also describe additional onboard events such as talks, tutorials, panel discussions, and musician interviews.
Will The Jazz Cruise continue to honor Ken Peplowski’s memory?
Organizers said they plan to include a more extensive remembrance for Peplowski during future editions of the event.
