The Stan State Jazz Ensemble will play a concert with world renowned clarinetist Ken Peplowski in a one night engagement Dec. 3.
A Chance to Unwind
The upcoming concert represents a chance for students to take a time out from the hustle and bustle of finals season and enjoy some great music.
“This show in particular is a lot of fun, feel good music,” said Joe Mazzaferro, the Coordinator of Jazz Studies for the Department of Music.
“Especially with finals are looming, it’s a good opportunity to get out to hear some great music, but also have a good time,” Mazzaferro said. 
The show also allows students to see a performance that normally would require travel to a bigger city to experience.
“It’s really convenient,” said Neesha Oliver, Administrative Support Coordinator for the Department of Music. “Students don’t have to travel outside of the area to see a show like this.”
“A lot of times they would have to go the Bay Area or they’d have to go somewhere further to see someone of this caliber. So it’s kind of a good opportunity, especially if they’ve never gone to a jazz show before, to experience what that would be like and maybe broaden their horizons a bit,” Oliver said.
“I mean, it’s live music and this guy’s, like, amazing,” said Joshua Woodfolk (senior, Jazz Performance), one of the students who will be playing with Peplowski.
“They’re not going to have another chance to come see him. At least, not anytime soon. And I mean, why not support the arts? They’re pretty important.”
Accessibility of the Music
This concert is also a great place to start for anyone who has never been to a jazz show before.
“Some of the music we’re doing is from the Benny Goodman book and some of it is from [Peplowski’s] own big band,” said Mazzaferro.
Benny Goodman, who the New York Times described as the “King of Swing”, is most well-known for his concert at Carnegie Hall in 1938, which brought jazz into mainstream popularity.
Just as Goodman’s music served as a great way for the public to first listen to jazz in Carnegie Hall all those years ago, it can do the same for students today. In fact, one of Peplowski’s career highlights was serving as the tenor saxophonist in Goodman’s last band in the mid-1980s.
Students shouldn’t be intimidated by an unfamiliarity with jazz. This concert will serve as a great night for anyone curious or anyone who just wants a chance to listen to some good music.
How to Attend
The show will be played at Snider Recital Hall on campus Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m. The venue seats 300 people and tickets are available for purchase.
Tickets can be found for sale on Stan State’s website. Tickets can also be purchased at the box office at the Recital Hall an hour before the show.
“The Jazz Department sells out pretty frequently actually,” warned Oliver on waiting to buy tickets until just before the show begins. “I would encourage people buying them in advance. They can also buy tickets online and have them printed in the box office for pick up.”
Parking in Lot 3 will be free beginning one hour before the show.
Please consult the campus map if you are having any trouble locating the Recital Hall or available parking.