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."
Moonlighting is the debut album by the contemporary jazz ensemble the Rippingtons. It was released in 1986 on the GRP label, and reached number 5 on Billboard's Jazz chart.
This is also the first appearance of the Jazz Cat on the album cover by artist Bill Mayer. The Jazz Cat has since been on the cover of every Rippingtons album.
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.
Collection is a compilation album of jazz songs by American pianist Joe Sample that was released in 1991 through GRP Records.
Morning Dance is the second album by the jazz fusion group Spyro Gyra. The album was released in March 9, 1979 and was certified gold by the RIAA on September 19, 1979, and was certified platinum on June 1, 1987.
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.
Life in the Tropics is the 11th album by the American Jazz group The Rippingtons. It was released in 2000, and was the group's first release for Peak label. The album reached No. 3 on Billboard's contemporary jazz chart.
Let It Ripp is The Rippingtons' 12th album, released in 2003.
Fast Forward is the fourteenth album by the American jazz group Spyro Gyra, released in 1990 by GRP Records. On this album only, the band was billed on the album cover as "Spyro Gyra featuring Jay Beckenstein". At Billboard magazine, the album peaked at No. 117 on the Top 200 Albums chart.
Côte D'Azur is The Rippingtons' sixteenth album which was released in 2011. The album features French, Latin, Gypsy and Euro rhythms. Saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa is featured on the album, returning for the second album in a row.
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.
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.
