Share: 

Rippingtons to celebrate 30 years with jazz fest performance

October 13, 2016

Grammy®-nominated contemporary jazz group The Rippingtons was founded by guitarist and composer Russ Freeman in 1985. Russ picked up the guitar at age 10, and by the time he was 16 was playing professionally on recording sessions. After moving to L.A. from Nashville in 1978, Russ studied at Cal Arts and UCLA. In 1985, he not only released his debut album Nocturnal Playground, but also founded The Rippingtons. And after more than 30 years – and 22 albums! - the group continues to innovate. All the albums reached Top 5 Billboard status, with 5 of them placing #1 on the charts. Jazziz magazine couldn’t restrain itself over the debut album, Moonlighting, calling it “the number one most influential contemporary jazz album of all time.”

You never quite know exactly what will happen when you press “play” on a Rippingtons album. It could be instrumental pop, or maybe high-energy rock, world music, EDM or even R&B. The list of luminaries who have graced some of The Rippingtons’ tracks includes, but is certainly not limited to, the late Joe Sample, Arturo Sandoval, Dave Grusin, Kenny G, Dave Koz, Peter White, Zak Wylde, Greg Karukas, David Benoit and even some of the artists performing for this year’s Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival: Jeffrey Osborne, Kirk Whalum, Patti Austin and Rick Braun.

The Rippingtons’ recording career began in 1986 with Moonlighting, featuring the song “She Likes to Watch.” A loose and relaxing groove opens with none other than Kenny G caressing a deeply echoed sax. Freeman’s guitar, along with well-programmed – and well played – synth and the saxophone eventually end up trading licks over top of an assertive, but not at all imposing rhythm track. No wonder the tune went on to become one of The Rippingtons’ signature songs! In 1988 they released Kilimanjaro and began to tour more extensively. There have been so many albums and tours since then, and in 2006, the band celebrated its 20th anniversary by releasing 20th Anniversary, a two-disc set that includes a bonus retrospective DVD. The Rippingtons will celebrate their 30th year on our stages here in the Cape Region!

The band is made up of founder, composer and guitarist Russ Freeman, Dave Karasony on drums, keyboardist Bill Heller, and Ricardo ‘Rico’ Belled on bass guitar. Saxophone duties are often shared by saxmasters Jeff Kashiwa and Paul Taylor.

Mark your calendars now for The Rippingtons’ appearance at Henlopen High School’s Performing Arts Theater in Lewes at 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 16. They will be joined by special guest Gerald Albright, so this one is definitely a must-see!

Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival Info

Subscribe to the CapeGazette.com Daily Newsletter