Image by Margaret Fox Photography.
The Spirit of Jazz: A Tribute to Ken Peplowski
Upcoming
The David Rockefeller Creative Arts Center at Pocantico
Tickets $48.35 (includes $3.35 ticketing fee)
Presented in partnership with the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, this concert celebrates the enduring legacy of legendary clarinetist and tenor saxophonist Ken Peplowski, who passed away in early 2026. In the weeks before his passing, he completed plans for the second year of his summer concert at the David Rockefeller Creative Arts Center at Pocantico, an event devoted to the spirit and rich history of jazz.
Pianist Rossano Sportiello, Peplowski’s longtime collaborator, will carry forward his curatorial vision with a distinguished lineup of local and national musicians. The program will honor Peplowski and the legendary artists he admired, featuring big band swing, contemporary jazz, and works by Louis Armstrong and Benny Goodman.
The concert begins with an ensemble led by Sportiello, who will be joined by Willie Jones III, Jay Rattman, Harry Allen, Katie Thiroux, and Summer Camargo. Internationally acclaimed guitarist John Pizzarelli and his trio will perform the second half of the show.
Following the concert, attendees are invited to stay and enjoy food available for purchase from on-site food trucks.
This event will be followed by a reception in the DR Center Gallery, now showing Woven Wonders: Kykuit’s Picasso Tapestries.
Guests may arrive 45 minutes prior to the event start time to enjoy the new Sculpture Walk outside the DR Center. Please note that events will begin promptly at their scheduled start time. Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of staff.
Presented in partnership with the RBF Culpeper Arts & Culture program and the National Jazz Museum in Harlem as part of the Culpeper Summer Performance Series.
All sales final; no refunds.
Rossano Sportiello
Rossano Sportiello is an award-winning jazz pianist trained in classical piano who began performing professionally at 16. A former member of the Milano Jazz Gang, he was mentored by Barry Harris, who praised his stride style. Based in New York, he has performed worldwide, earned major awards, collaborated with leading artists, and recorded numerous acclaimed albums.
The National Jazz Museum in Harlem
The National Jazz Museum in Harlem (NJMiH)’s mission is to preserve, promote, and present jazz by inspiring knowledge, appreciation, and celebration of jazz locally, nationally, and internationally. The NJMiH showcases the diverse voices of jazz, welcoming artists and audiences from every background, and creating a space where all perspectives can be celebrated.