Russ Freeman (guitarist)
Russ Freeman (born February 11, 1960) is a smooth jazz guitarist who is the founder and leader of the Rippingtons.
Russ Freeman | |
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Background information | |
Born | Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. | February 11, 1960
Genres | Smooth jazz, jazz fusion |
Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, record producer, record label owner |
Instruments | Guitar, Keyboards, Bass, Drums |
Years active | 1985–present |
Labels | Peak |
Associated acts | The Rippingtons |
Website | www |
Life and career
Born in Nashville, Tennessee,[1] Freeman started on guitar when he was ten years old. His first teacher was a session musician in Nashville who knew his father. He followed his teacher around Nashville studios and after six years worked in a variety of sessions as a professional guitarist. Two years later, he moved to Los Angeles, where he found work playing for commercials and with vocalists Englebert Humperdinck and Anne Murray. He cites George Benson and Larry Carlton as influences.[2]
For one year he attended the California Institute of the Arts. He recorded his first solo album, Nocturnal Playground. In 1985, he founded the band The Rippingtons as an opportunity to record with a variety of musicians.[3] The first version of the band included David Benoit, Brandon Fields, Kenny G, and Dave Koz. By 1993, the Rippingtons had solidified into a sextet of Freeman, Jeff Kashiwa on saxophone, Dave Kochanski on keyboards, Kim Stone on bass guitar, Tony Morales on drums, and Steve Reid on percussion. In 1994 Freeman reunited with Benoit for The Benoit/Freeman Project. Freeman and his manager, Andi Howard, formed Peak Records in 1994. In 1998 he collaborated with guitarist Craig Chaquico of Starship for the album From the Redwoods to the Rockies.
A record producer and arranger, Freeman also plays bass guitar, keyboards, and drums. His music can be heard during The Weather Channel's Local on the 8s segments, and his song "Brave New World" is included in the 2008 compilation album, The Weather Channel Presents: Smooth Jazz II.
His wife, Yaredt Leon, has composed music for The Rippingtons' albums.[4][5]
Awards
- University School of Nashville, Tennessee, Distinguished Alumni Award, 1995
Discography
- 1986 Nocturnal Playground (Brainchild)
- 1995 Holiday (GRP)
- 2002 Drive (Peak)
As member
With The Rippingtons
- 1986 Moonlighting
- 1988 Kilimanjaro
- 1989 Tourist in Paradise
- 1990 Welcome to the St. James' Club
- 1991 Curves Ahead
- 1992 Weekend in Monaco
- 1993 Live in L.A.
- 1994 Sahara
- 1996 Brave New World
- 1997 Black Diamond
- 1999 Topaz
- 2000 Life in the Tropics
- 2002 Live Across America
- 2003 Let It Ripp
- 2005 Wild Card
- 2009 Modern Art
- 2011 Côte d'Azur
- 2012 Built to Last
- 2014 Fountain of Youth
- 2016 True Stories
- 2019 Open Road
With David Benoit
As sideman
With David Benoit
- 1987 Freedom at Midnight
- 1988 Every Step of the Way
With Jeff Kashiwa
- 1997 Walkamile
- 2004 Peace of Mind
- 2012 Let It Ride
With Barry Manilow
- 1989 Barry Manilow
- 1990 Because It's Christmas
With Eric Marienthal
- 2001 Turn Up the Heat
- 2005 Got You Covered
With Alphonse Mouzon
- 1992 The Survivor
- 1994 On Top of the World
With Phil Perry
- 1994 Pure Pleasure
- 2001 Magic
With others
- 1988 Hot Stuff Buck Clarke
- 1989 Outrageous Temptations, Tim Weisberg
- 1990 This Is Me, Emily Remler
- 1991 Passion Suite, Doug Cameron
- 1992 In Every Moment, Nelson Rangell
- 1992 Other Places, Brandon Fields
- 1997 The Body Remembers, Lorraine Feather
- 1998 From the Redwoods to the Rockies, Craig Chaquico
- 2002 The Shadow of the Cat, Gato Barbieri
- 2002 To Grover with Love, Jason Miles
- 2005 The Secret of Movin' On, David Pack
- 2009 GK, Gregg Karukas
- 2014 Another Long Night Out, Brian Culbertson
References
- Lannert, John (1991-02-22). "Name Game Aside, Freeman Delivers". sun-sentinel.com. Retrieved 2013-12-13.
- Arnold, Thomas K. (15 December 1987). "Jazz Fuses With Country for a Top 10 Sound". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
- Kennedy, Gary (2002). Kernfeld, Barry (ed.). The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz. 1 (2nd ed.). New York: Grove's Dictionaries Inc. p. 853. ISBN 1-56159-284-6.
- Wilkins, Woodrow (6 April 2009). "The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman: Modern Art". All About Jazz. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
- Whitmer, Mike (2011-05-19). "CD review: Rippingtons and Freeman bring the house on new CD". deseretnews.com. Retrieved 2013-12-13.