Gregg Karukas is a smooth jazz pianist from Bowie, Maryland who first gained notice in Washington, D.C., then moved to Los Angeles in 1983. He backed Melissa Manchester before he co-founded the Rippingtons in 1985.
The Rippingtons were 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.
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.
Every Step of the Way is an album by American pianist David Benoit released in 1988, recorded for the GRP label. The album reached No. 4 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz chart and received a 1989 Grammy Nomination for Best Contemporary Jazz Performance.
Freedom at Midnight is an album by American pianist David Benoit released in 1987, recorded for the GRP label. The album reached #5 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz chart.
Inner Motion is an album by American pianist David Benoit released in 1990, recorded for the GRP label. The album reached #3 on Billboard's Jazz chart category.
The Benoit Freeman Project is an album by American pianist David Benoit and American guitarist Russ Freeman that was released in 1994 and recorded for the GRP label. The album reached No. 2 on the jazz chart at Billboard magazine. Freeman is the founder and leader of the Rippingtons.
Nocturnal Playground is the first album by American guitarist Russ Freeman, released on April 10, 1986 by Brainchild Records. After this album, Freeman formed the band the Rippingtons. Several tracks from the album appeared on The Weather Channel in its infancy, and were later used on News at 11 by Cat System Corp.
The Benoit Freeman Project 2 is an collaboration album by American pianist David Benoit and American guitarist Russ Freeman released in 2004, and recorded for the Peak label. The album reached #7 on Billboard's Jazz chart.
Russ Freeman also serves as leader and frontman for the Rippingtons.
