Results for "The Rippingtons"

Musician

The Rippingtons

Active since: 1985

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.

Video

Curves Ahead

Featuring the music of The Rippingtons
Duration: 5:26
August 30, 2026

Starting in the 1980s, smooth jazz greatly expanded the audience for jazz-adjacent music. The best performers of this sub-genre could solo ably enough to please casual listeners. However, the Achilles Heel of the smooth movement was that the typical song’s melody and changes weren’t unique and catchy enough to warrant a passionate devotion. Without that, the tunes could border on elevator “muzak.” The Rippingtons, led by guitarist Russ Freeman, met and surpassed that melodic hurdle with contemporary jazz hits such as “Welcome to the St. James’ Club,” “Tourist in Paradise” and "Curves Ahead." The band’s doubled-up leads on guitar (or guitar synth penny whistle) and sax, phat synth sounds, and locked-in digital and acoustic percussion rhythms were easy to identify on the radio. Also, be sure to listen for the poppin' bass riffs. The Rippingtons join Spyro Gyra, Fattburger and Fourplay among the most satisfying groups of that era.

Article: Take Five With...

Take Five with AXIOM

by AAJ Staff
September 9, 2020

Meet Axiom Founded and brought together by brothers Pete and Phil Templer, guitarist/composer and drummer/percussionist/composer respectively, the goal was to establish a creative and engaging environment to present a dynamic musical experience to audiences of all types. Pete and Phil both hail from the Midwest where they began their musical journey studying and playing ...

Article: Album Review

Urbanity: Urban Soul

by Roger Farbey
May 20, 2017

Urbanity, an Australian duo comprising keyboardist Phil Turcio and guitarist Albare (Albert Dadon) started collaborating 27 years ago and Urban Soul follows hot on the heels of Turcio's Signals and Albare's Dreamtime. It's a fairly undemanding set but undemanding doesn't automatically equate to unattractive. Indeed the album clearly demonstrates what can be produced by just two ...

Album

True Stories

By The Rippingtons

Label: Peak Records
Released: 2016

News: Recording

The Rippingtons Featuring Russ Freeman Release 22nd Album "True Stories" June 24 In Celebration Of 30th Anniversary Year On Peak Records/Entertainment One

June 23, 2016

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 ...

News: Obituary

Larry Rosen Legendary Jazz Music Visionary & Entrepreneur Dies At 75

October 10, 2015

LARRY ROSEN, LEGENDARY JAZZ MUSIC VISIONARY & ENTREPRENEUR, PIONEERED THE MERGE OF MUSIC AND TECHNOLOGY It is with great sadness we announce the passing of beloved jazz music visionary and entrepreneur, Larry Rosen, who passed away at his New Jersey home surrounded by family, Oct. 9, 2015 at the age of 75 after a valiant battle ...

Album

Fountain of Youth

By The Rippingtons

Label: eOne Music
Released: 2014
Track listing: Spice Route; Rivers of Gold; North Shore; We Will Live Forever; The Sun King; Fountain of Youth; Emerald City; Soul Riders; Waterfalls of Bequia; Gardens of the Gods

Article: Album Review

The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman: Fountain of Youth

by Jeff Winbush
August 19, 2014

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. ...

News: Recording

Storm Alert: Saxtress Jeanette Harris’ Soul-Splashed “Summer Rain” To Hit April 2nd

February 13, 2013

Storm Alert: saxtress Jeanette Harris’ soul-splashed “Summer Rain” to hit April 2nd “Just Keep Holding On” goes to radio while a “Summer Rain” perfume permeates the horizon Fresno, CA: The way Jeanette Harris sees it, summer rain is sensual, an ideal backdrop for love at first sight. Oozing saxuality, she wrote and produced her fourth album, ...