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The Rippingtons
The Rippingtons are a Grammy-nominated contemporary jazz group, founded by guitarist and composer Russ Freeman in 1985. Their debut album, "Moonlighting", was hailed by Jazziz magazine as the "the number one most influential contemporary jazz album of all time."
The group has passed the thirty year mark, and continues to innovate. Their influences are wide-ranging, from instrumental pop, to rock, to world music, to EDM, to R&B. Some artists having recorded with the Rippingtons include Arturo Sandoval, Jeffrey Osbourne, Kirk Whalum, Kenny G, Dave Grusin, the late Joe Sample, Dave Koz, David Benoit, Patti Austin, Peter White, Rick Braun, Zak Wylde, and many more.
Source: https://www.rippingtons.com/Awards
The Rippingtons were chosen Best Group 2000 by Billboard BET, and Best Group 2 years in a row, 2001 and 2002 by the Oasis Awards, in addition to Achievement in Video 2001.
All 22 of their albums have reached the top 5 and five have hit No. 1 on Billboard magazine's Contemporary Jazz chart.
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The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman: Fountain of Youth
by Jeff Winbush
If Fountain of Youth isn't the zenith of The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman it is difficult to imagine what would be. You can't get much more Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman than a Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman album featuring only Russ Freeman. It's a Russ Freeman solo album brilliantly disguised as a Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman album. There is no one with the surname of “Rippington" in The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman and there never has been. That's the ...
Continue ReadingThe Rippingtons: Built to Last
by Ernest Barteldes
Bandleader, guitarists and songwriter Russ Freeman pulls no stops on the Rippingtons' 25th anniversary release, Built to Last, featuring a full orchestra to complement the sound of his compositions, has he runs the gamut of the sounds that have influenced him throughout the years, moving from movie score-like tunes to heavy metal, country & western and retro-sounding jazz.The album kicks off with the title tune, which sounds as if it belongs in a film soundtrack. Lush strings introduce ...
Continue ReadingThe Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman: Cote D' Azur
by Jeff Winbush
Of the many incarnations of Russ Freeman's The Rippingtons, the current version is one of the strongest, with the players actually cohering as a band and not simply sidemen in Freeman's long-running side project. He remains the guiding light as the principal composer, writer and producer, giving the other musicians some stimulating music to play. Jeff Kashiwa is typically an acceptable, if not exceptional saxophonist, but, freed from any responsibility other than to get his groove on, he falls to ...
Continue ReadingThe Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman: Modern Art
by Woodrow Wilkins
The Rippingtons, featuring Russ Freeman, have undergone numerous personnel changes over the years. Although the band has been more stable since Let It Ripp (Peak, 2003), it's still evolving. Modern Art attempts to walk the fine line between observing the past and moving into the future. Freeman founded the group in the mid-'80s and has been the principle songwriter and producer throughout its existence. In the early years, an ever-changing rotation of session musicians comprised The Rippingtons' family. ...
Continue ReadingThe Rippingtons: 20th Anniversary
by Woodrow Wilkins
In 1986, the term “smooth jazz had not made its way into the vernacular. However, the groundwork for what would become a radio format and, to some degree, a genre of music, had been laid. Among those paving the way was Russ Freeman, founder and principal songwriter for the Rippingtons.
In the early years, the Rippingtons weren't a band so much as a concept. As Donald Fagen and Walter Becker were to Steely Dan, Freeman was to the Rippingtons, surrounding ...
Continue ReadingThe Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman: Wild Card
by Woodrow Wilkins
Longevity is perhaps the truest sign that an artist, or group, is doing something right. After nearly two decades and some sixteen albums, The Rippingtons keep rolling. Their latest venture, Wild Card, is proof that the current lineup is the best. In their early years, The Rippingtons consisted mainly of Freeman on guitars, keyboards, and programming; varying sidemen, including Jeff Kashiwa and Mark Portmann; and such studio guests as saxophonists Kenny G, Brandon Fields, Kirk Whalum, Paul Taylor, and Eric ...
Continue ReadingThe Rippingtons: Wild Card
by Mark Sabbatini
Think of it as a visit to Cuba where the dining experience is grabbing a burger at El Rapido.
The government-run chain emulates American fast food with the same culinary verve as pizza joints, where ketchup is used for sauce. That's not to say the Rippingtons' Wild Card is stomach-churning--just a somewhat limp rendition of the usual fare.
Lead guitarist Russ Freeman's description of the album is commendable enough, focusing on Cuban/Miami salsa that expands on ...
Continue ReadingThe Rippingtons Featuring Russ Freeman Release 22nd Album "True Stories" June 24 In Celebration Of 30th Anniversary Year On Peak Records/Entertainment One
Source:
EastWest Media
True Stories recorded over an intensive three-month span, is a refreshing elixir that will delight devout fans of The Rippingtons and attract new ones. Joined by original Rippington, alto and soprano saxophonist Brandon Fields, drummer Dave Karasony, bassist and rhodes player Rico Belled and special guest Jeffrey Osborne, Freeman orchestrates ten compelling originals. On True Stories Freeman’s choice of axe is a Patrick Cummings gold custom Brian Moore 30th Anniversary Russ Freeman model guitar. He plays it on all the ...
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Rippingtons Bassist Rico Belled To Release Sophomore Album "XR7" On May 9th 2012
Source:
Rico Belled
Multi-instrumentalist Rico Belled will release his follow-up to “The Pursuit Of Comfort", called XR7, on May 9th 2012. Consisting of ten brand new originals, the record is an homage to his beloved 1973 Mercury Cougar XR7 and machines in general, featuring musical adventures in many different genres; from Funk to Electronica, from Latin to Pop, but Jazz is the heart and soul of it all. Enlisting a who's who of Los Angeles session guys, Rico has created a truly innovative ...
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The Rippingtons Release Modern Art
Source:
On Target Media Group
The new album from The Rippingtons, Modern Art is out today (3.10) on Peak Records (Concord Music Group).
The Rippingtons’ 18th release features an explosive lineup lead by founder Russ Freeman with special guests including smooth Jazz trumpet icon Rick Braun, Dave Karasony, Bill Heller, as well as new bassist Rico Belled and special guest, returning saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa.
Modern Art breaks new stylistic ground, incorporating exotic world music elements on the sensuously romantic, acoustic guitar driven “Paris Groove” and ...
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The Rippingtons’ "Modern Art" Available for Pre-Order
Source:
On Target Media Group
Smooth Jazz pioneers The Rippingtons new album, Modern Art, is available now for pre-order. The band’s 18th album is available March 10th via Peak Records (Concord Music Group), and features founder Russ Freeman alongside Dave Karasony, Bill Heller, Rico Belled and Jeff Kashiwa. Also featured is special guest trumpeter Rick Braun. Modern Art breaks new stylistic ground, incorporating exotic world music elements on the sensuously romantic, acoustic guitar driven “Paris Groove” and adds an Eastern authenticity to the hypnotic “Black ...
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The Rippingtons to Release New Album on Peak Records
Source:
On Target Media Group
Smooth Jazz pioneers The Rippingtons will release their latest album, Modern Art, on March 10th via Peak Records (Concord Music Group).
The Rippingtons 18th release features an explosive lineup lead by founder Russ Freeman with special guests including smooth Jazz trumpet icon Rick Braun. The Rippingtons, whose first lineup included future contemporary Jazz superstars Dave Koz, Kenny G and David Benoit, dominated the instrumental and urban Jazz landscape from the late 80s on with their often exotically titled hit recordings, ...
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See Jazz Greats the Rippingtons on June 28
Source:
All About Jazz
See Jazz Greats The Rippingtons on June 28! Headlining the 2008 Elk Creek Jazz Festival
Get in the pioneer spirit and attend this summer's first annual Elk Creek Jazz Festival, featuring the one-and-only The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman. Also appearing are UK Faculty Jazz, The Randy Villars Band and Alma Y Clave.
The Rippingtons, founded by Grammy-nominated guitarist Russ Freeman in 1986, are still playing strong in their 22nd year. The band has enjoyed tremendous success from the ...
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29th Cape May Jazz Festival the Next Wave April 18-20 2008
Source:
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
29th Cape May Jazz Festival The Next Wave April 18-20, 2008 World Class Jazz in America's Original Seaside Resort, Cape May, New Jersey A celebration of America's finest “Young Lions" in Traditional, Blues, and Latin Jazz The Cape May Jazz Festival proudly presents many of the finest “young lions" in jazz today. As a natural successor to our 28th Festival “Favorites Return", the “Next Wave" features an elite up-and-coming new breed of artists: cutting edge musicians ...
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The Rippingtons to Headline October 21 Jazz on the Green in SW Florida
Source:
Karen Sloan
THE RIPPINGTONS ADD JAZZ ON THE GREEN TO THEIR TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY TOUR Fort Myers, Florida (19 August 2006) - Southwest Florida has come to rely on the annual Jazz on the Green concert to bring the hottest in smooth jazz talent to the region and 2006 is no exception. In keeping with their eleven year tradition of first rate line-ups, Jazz on the Green has announced that legendary jazz band The Rippingtons will headline this year's concert. A complete afternoon ...
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Yahoo! Events Hosts A CD Listening Party For The Rippingtons New Release Life In The Tropics, Due Out October 10, 2000
Source:
All About Jazz
On October 10, 2000, The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman, one of the supergroups of contemporary jazz, deliver one of their most innovative and creatively diverse projects, Life In The Tropics. This hot new recording features an all-star guest lineup including: Bob James, Dave Koz, Peter White, Paul Taylor, Eric Marienthal and features guest vocals by Howard Hewitt on “I Found Heaven" and new Latin sensation, Daisy Lourdes Villa on “Rhythm of Your Life". A perennial best seller, The Rippingtons' Life ...
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The Rippingtons
Instrument: Band / ensemble / orchestra
Formed: 1985
