The
Rippingtons
Let it Rip
| (2003) www.rippingtons.com
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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
(b. Feb. 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 has since recorded
regularly for GRP. Russ
Freeman writes all of the music for the Rippingtons, much of which falls
in the pop/R&B genre.
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