John Clayton to lead Oregon Coast Jazz Party in heartfelt tribute to Ken Peplowski

NEWPORT, OR — Oregon Coast Council for the Arts is profoundly honored to announce that world-renowned jazz icon, legendary bassist, composer, and Grammy-winning educator John Clayton will step in as interim Artistic Director for the 2026 Oregon Coast Jazz Party (OCJP). Clayton, a titan of the genre whose career spans decades of collaboration with the industry’s greatest, brings a steady hand, and a deep musical soul.

This year’s event, happening October 2-4, 2026 at Newport Performing Arts Center, will serve as a tribute to the enduring legacy of Ken Peplowski, the festival’s beloved Artistic Director, who passed away in February. Peplowski was more than a curator; he was the heartbeat of the OCJP, known for his wit, his virtuosic swing, and his incredible ability to bring together the world’s finest musicians.