Cruise Ship Performer Found Dead on Celebrity Summ...

A festive, music-focused cruise led to heartbreak this week with the sudden passing of one of many 100 performers on board, Ken Peplowski.

In line with a weblog submit from Signature Cruise Experiences, the clarinetist and saxophonist died on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, whereas crusing aboard Superstar Summit.

Peplowski was a headlining star of The Jazz Cruise ’26, a 7-day crusing from Port Everglades that introduced dozens of musicians collectively for the particular cruise. Information of the tragedy got here on the ultimate day of the journey because the ship ready for its return to Florida.

A Ultimate Efficiency

Some knew there was an issue when on Sunday afternoon the 66-year-old failed to indicate up for a 4:00 PM program with a quartet led by his shut pal, pianist Shelly Berg.

After a search of the ship, he was discovered lifeless in his cabin.

Neighborhood Shares Grief

The tragic information traveled shortly on-line, the place followers shared what occurred. One member of the r/Jazz group on Reddit posted a remark after the information broke, writing, “Unhappy information—simply heard Ken Peplowski died right this moment after taking part in a set on the jazz cruise yesterday. RIP to an excellent participant.”

Commenters praised the musician’s abilities and expressed their unhappiness over the information. 

“My husband and I have been on the jazz cruise with Ken. Our hearts are damaged. He introduced pleasure and kindness to a world that’s desperately in want of each. That, alongside together with his unparalleled expertise as a musician and chief, are such a beautiful legacy”, one remark learn.

One other remark got here from a cruiser that was on the identical ship:

“I’m on the jazz cruise. Ken and I talked for a couple of minutes a few days in the past and I requested him how he was doing and he mentioned he was doing very nicely and he was in remission from most cancers. He didn’t die from the most cancers. He had a coronary heart assault final night time I noticed him carry out a beautiful live performance with Paco D’Revera and Anat Cohen – three wonderful clarinetists…”

Dealing with a Troublesome Battle

Whereas the official explanation for dying continues to be being decided, cruisers who have been followers of the musician confirmed that Peplowski had been combating a number of myeloma since 2021.

This uncommon type of blood most cancers is usually deadly. Regardless of his well being struggles, he remained a well-liked musician on stage, even internet hosting a celebration throughout the cruise to showcase one in all his albums.

Ken’s Bio

Ken Peplowski was a jazz musician identified for his talent on each the clarinet and tenor saxophone. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he began his skilled profession at simply 10 years previous taking part in in a household polka band.

He actually grew to become fashionable and well-known when in 1984 he joined Benny Goodman’s ultimate band. Over the subsequent 40 years, Peplowski recorded greater than 50 of his personal albums.