Jazz / Smooth Jazz; Jazz-Pop; Instrumental Pop; Crossover Jazz
The Rippingtons
Jeff Kashiwa Sax (Alto), EWI, Sax (Soprano)
Kim Stone Bass
Mark Portmann Piano
Russ Freeman Guitar (Classical), Guitar, Keyboards, Engineer, Guitar (Acoustic), Mixing, Guitar (Electric), Producer
Steve Bailey Guitar, Bass
Steve Reid Percussion, Chant, Toy Instruments, Conga
Tony Morales Drums
Adam Zelinka Post Production
Andi Howard Production Coordination
Andy Baltimore Creative Director
Andy Ruggirello Design
Bernie Grundman Mastering
Bill Mayer Cover Design
Brant Biles Mixing
Brian Springer Engineer
Carl Griffin Assistant Producer
Dan Serrano Design
Dave Grusin Executive Producer
David Gibb Design
Doreen Kalcich Assistant Producer
Emili Bogin Design Assistant
Michael Landy Post Production
Joseph Doughney Post Production
Larry Rosen Executive Producer
Michael Pollard Production Coordination
Robert Margouleff Mixing
Scott Johnson Design
Sonny Mediana Design
The Rippingtons
Active Decades: '80s, '90s and '00s
Born: 1987
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Contemporary Jazz, Crossover Jazz, Instrumental Pop, Jazz-Pop, Smooth Jazz
One of the most popular groups in what is loosely termed "contemporary jazz," the Rippingtons were formed (and have been led ever since) by guitarist/keyboardist Russ Freeman (no relation to the veteran West Coast bop pianist of the same name). Freeman (born February 11, 1960, in Nashville) studied at Cal Arts and UCLA, and recorded Nocturnal Playground as a leader in 1985 for the Brainchild label, a one-man project. In 1987, he was approached to record for the Japanese Alfa label and came up with the Rippingtons name for the all-star group he used on the disc (Moonlighting), an ensemble featuring David Benoit, Kenny G., and Brandon Fields. Their album was released domestically by Passport and became a hit. Freeman soon formed a regular touring band (usually including saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa, bassist Kim Stone, drummer Tony Morales, and percussionist Steve Reid), cut a second disc for Passport, and the group recorded regularly for GRP. Russ Freeman writes all of the music for the Rippingtons, much of which falls in the popR&B genre. In the late '90s, the group moved over to the Windham Hill label, recording such albums as Black Diamond (1997), Topaz (1999), Live! Across America, and Life in the Tropics (both in 2000). For 2003's Let It Ripp, the band relied heavily on their horn section to carry the weight of the album. The Latin-flavored Wild Card followed in 2005.
---Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
