Jeff Kashiwa | |
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 Java Jazz Festival 2008 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 1963 (age 59–60) Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | |
| Labels | |
| Website | jeffkashiwa |
Jeff Kashiwa is an American saxophonist with the jazz fusion band the Rippingtons and one of three with the Sax Pack, as well as having recorded several albums under his own name.
Jeff Kashiwa was born in 1963 in Louisville, Kentucky but moved to Seattle, Washington as a young child. He credits the public school's music program for inspiring his interest in music, [1] along with his father, who died in 1992, who was a fan of jazz music including Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller. While attending school, his father gave him an old silver clarinet but, when he later saw a row of saxophones at school, Kashiwa knew he had found the instrument for him.
As a local gig musician working small jobs, Kashiwa wanted a more permanent position in a band and, after searching for some time without success, he approached bassist Steve Bailey of the Rippingtons, of whom he was a fan, and hired Bailey to play along with him. He eventually sought an audition for the Rippingtons, one of the genre's most successful bands, which led to him joining them following a festival concert and Brandon Fields' departure from the group. [2] Prior to his audition, he prepared by learning every song in the group's library, making his eventual step into Field's large shoes seemingly effortless. [3] Kashiwa recorded his first two solo albums, ("Remember Catalina" and "Walk A Mile"), during his tenure with the Rippingtons.
In 1999, though, he left the Rippingtons to concentrate on his own band, Coastal Access, which included Melvin Davis (Bass), Allen Hinds (Guitar), Dave Hooper (drums) and Dave Kochanski (Keyboards/Synths). Eric Marienthal and Paul Taylor both covered the sax player spot in the Rippingtons for a few years, but Kashiwa temporarily rejoined the band in 2007 for their 20th Anniversary Tour, [4] and continues to record and perform with the group from time to time.
In 2004, Kashiwa got in touch with some of his saxophone peers to start a new group called the Sax Pack, led by three sax players, building on their collective musical passion for jazz, funk and R&B. "The Sax Pack" features Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Cole & Kim Waters. Along with being musically cohesive, the trio share a unique and comical camaraderie on stage. The Sax Pack released three CDs, "The Sax Pack" (2008), "The Pack is Back" (2009) and "Power of 3" (2015) on Shanachie Records.
Kashiwa not only plays soprano, alto and tenor saxophones, flute and the EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument) but also composes, produces and teaches.
He attended Berklee College of Music in 1981–83, where he developed an interest in straight-ahead jazz and, as a student, was picked as second alto chair by Disney's All American College Band. He eventually became an instructor. [5] Kashiwa later transferred to Cal State Long Beach and received his Bachelor's degree in Music in 1985. He currently teaches Music Technology at Shoreline College, as well as private courses for students of all ages. [6] Kashiwa has a wife, Chaunte, and a daughter, Catalina. [7]
The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor and the alto are the two most commonly used saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B♭ (while the alto is pitched in the key of E♭), and written as a transposing instrument in the treble clef, sounding an octave and a major second lower than the written pitch. Modern tenor saxophones which have a high F♯ key have a range from A♭2 to E5 (concert) and are therefore pitched one octave below the soprano saxophone. People who play the tenor saxophone are known as "tenor saxophonists", "tenor sax players", or "saxophonists".
Steve Cole is an American smooth jazz saxophonist. He is also a professor/adviser of music business at the University of St. Thomas.
The Rippingtons are an American contemporary jazz group, mainly relating to the genres smooth jazz, jazz fusion, jazz pop, and crossover jazz. Formed in 1985 by guitarist and band leader Russ Freeman, their career has spanned more than three decades. With a revolving door of musicians, Freeman has been the only consistent member. They have inspired many other bands including "The Stolen Cat Club."
Russ Freeman is a smooth jazz guitarist who is the founder and leader of The Rippingtons.
Kilimanjaro is the second album by the American Jazz group The Rippingtons, released in 1988 for Passport Jazz Records, and later reissued under the GRP label. Kilimanjaro reached #3 on Billboard's Jazz chart.
Eric Marienthal is a Grammy Award-nominated Los Angeles-based contemporary saxophonist best known for his work in the jazz, jazz fusion, smooth jazz, and pop genres.
Tourist in Paradise is the third album by the American Jazz group The Rippingtons, released in 1989 for the GRP label. The album is primarily the work of Russ Freeman, who acted as producer, arranger, and composer.
Tourist in Paradise reached #4 on Billboard's Jazz chart.
Welcome to the St. James' Club is the fourth album by the American jazz group the Rippingtons, released in 1990. It reached No. 1 on Billboard's Jazz chart. The group supported the album with a North American tour. The album was produced by Russ Freeman, who chose to give the songs a more rhythmic direction.
Curves Ahead is the fifth album by the American Jazz group The Rippingtons, released in 1991 for the GRP label. This album reached #1 on Billboard's contemporary Jazz chart.
Weekend in Monaco is the sixth album by the American jazz group the Rippingtons, released in 1992. The album reached No. 2 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz chart. It has sold more than 300,000 copies.
Live in L.A. is the seventh album by the American Jazz group The Rippingtons, released in 1992 for the GRP label. It is the group's first live album. The album reached No. 6 on Billboard's contemporary jazz chart.
Sahara is the eighth album by American Jazz group The Rippingtons, released in 1994 on the GRP label. The album reached number two on Billboard's contemporary Jazz chart. It is also the first of two studio albums to be released under the name Russ Freeman & The Rippingtons, with the next being Brave New World.
Brave New World is the ninth album by American jazz group The Rippingtons, released in 1996 for the GRP label. The album reached No. 4 on Billboard's contemporary jazz chart. It was the group's final release on the GRP label.
Black Diamond is the tenth album by American Jazz group The Rippingtons. Released in 1997, it was their first project for the Windham Hill label. The album reached number one on Billboard's contemporary jazz chart.
The Best of The Rippingtons is a compilation album by the American jazz group The Rippingtons, released in 1997 by the GRP label. The album is a retrospective of their previous GRP albums, and also includes two previously unreleased tracks.
Topaz is the 10th studio album by the American Jazz group The Rippingtons. It was released in 1999 for the Windham Hill label. The album reached No. 2 on Billboard's contemporary jazz chart.
Holiday is a Christmas music by American guitarist Russ Freeman. The album reached #5 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz chart.
Russ Freeman also serves as leader and frontman for the Rippingtons.
The Sax Pack is a smooth jazz group featuring three saxophone players: Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Cole, and Kim Waters, all of whom already have successful careers and discographies of their own.
Zane Musa was an Alto/Soprano/Tenor saxophonist and vocalist, most widely known for his command of the saxophone. Zane Musa was raised in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles but his work is known worldwide. His works were showcased by the likes of Arturo Sandoval, Roy Hargrove, Macy Gray, John Mayer, Lupe Fiasco, and Christina Aguilera, as well as the Nikhil Korula Band and Karina Corradini. He also lent his sound to the house bands of several television shows including The Voice, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and The Carson Daly Show. He was a regular player in clubs in Hollywood and was invited to contribute to several bands, including Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, fronted by Jeff Goldblum.
Kim Waters is an American jazz artist born in Havre de Grace, Maryland.
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