The Rippingtons

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The Rippingtons
Background information
Genre(s)	Fusion jazz Smooth jazz
Years active	1986–present
Label(s)	GRP Records Windham Hill Jazz Peak Records Concord Records
Website	http://www.rippingtons.com/

The Rippingtons are a contemporary or fusion jazz group that are often considered smooth jazz. Formed in 1986 by guitarist and band leader Russ Freeman (not to be confused with the jazz pianist of the same name), their career has spanned two decades. In the early to mid 90s they were more of a jazz/rock instrumental band, but since 1999 they have developed more into the Smooth Jazz genre. Many of their songs have also been played during The Weather Channel's local forecast segments.

1 Current members
2 Career
3 Discography
4 External Links

[edit] Current members

Russ Freeman — guitar, keyboard, and programming
Dave Karasony — drummer
Bill Heller — pianist
Kim Stone — long-time bassist
Scott Breadman — percussionist
Eric Marienthal — saxophonist

Past members have included Jeff Kashiwa, Brandon Fields, David Benoit, Gregg Karukas, Tony Morales, Kenny G, and Steve Reid to name a few.

[edit] Career

[edit] 1980s

The band's recording career began in 1986 with the recording of Moonlighting. The album was well received by critics and consumers and featured the song "She Likes to Watch," which has gone on to become a staple of the band's live set and one of their signature tunes. In January 1988 the Rippingtons released Kilimanjaro and began to tour more extensively. Mark Portmann, Steve Bailey (replacing Bill Lanphier), and Jeff Kashiwa joined the band, the band then released Tourist In Paradise. The tour for this album featured the group's first visit to Japan.

[edit] 1990s

In August 1990, the album Welcome to the St. James Club was released and became the band's first CD to debut at #1 in the Billboard Charts.

In 1991, Russ Freeman relocated to Colorado and opened Cheyenne Mountain Ranch studios. The move influenced the group's next album, Curves Ahead, which featured songs based on the ski atmosphere in Colorado. Standouts include "Aspen" and the title track.

In August 1992, the group released Weekend in Monaco, which, to date, has been one of their best selling albums. Under its release the group toured Europe for the first time and in June of 1993 the U.S. leg of the tour was documented on the album Live in L.A., recorded August of that year at the Greek Theater. A concert video was released in VHS format of the following night's performance at the Ventura Theater. (Correction: According to rippingtons.com, the "Live In L.A." album was actually recorded (and the VHS video was filmed) live at The Ventura Theatre, Ventura, California on September 25, 1992 and at The Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, California on September 26, 1992.)

Tom McMorran replaced Mark Portmann in 1994 and in August of that year the band released Sahara. The following tour featured extensive dates in Southeast Asia, where the group played Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka (Japan), Jakarta (Indonesia), Manila (Philippines) as well as Singapore and Guam.

In 1995, David Kochanski joined the group and the group made its presence known on the Internet. February 1996 saw the release of Brave New World, which featured covers of "Ain't no Stopping us Now," "While my Guitar Gently Weeps," and "Caravan of Love." The album was a stylistic departure for the band and included more Urban Jazz than had appeared on previous releases. David Anderson replaced Tony Morales that year.

In August 1997, the group released Black Diamond, their first record on Peak Records in conjunction with Windham Hill. The album debuted at #1 on Billboard. In 1999 Dave Hooper and Ramon Yslas joined the Rippingtons and Jeff Kashiwa was replaced by Paul Taylor. In May of 1999 the group released Topaz, which featured Native American flute work by Robert Tree Cody. Topaz remains one of the groups most requested CD's.

[edit] 2000s

In 2000 Russ Freeman relocated to South Florida and the move was reflected thematically in Life in the Tropics. This was the group's first album to be recorded digitally. In 2001 Scott Bredman, Bill Heller, Dave Karasony, and Eric Marenthial joined the group and the following tour was documented on the live album Live Across America. In 2003 the group released Let It Ripp, featuring the title cut, which became a hit.

In 2005 the group released Wild Card, which plays on their ongoing Latin influences. The album features guest vocal spots by Latin music stars Willy Chirino, Chante Moore, and Albita.

In 2006, the group celebrated their 20th anniversary by releasing "The Rippingtons: 20th Anniversary", a two disc set which includes the main CD as well as a 20th Anniversary Retrospective DVD.