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Definitely one of the most prolific talents in Smooth Jazz, Russ Freeman is not only a pioneer, but a visionary. Multi-talented, he is into photography, illustrating, and web design, as well as writing, producing, and being the bandleader of his own band, the Rippingtons. The "Moonlighting" CD, considered the #1 CD in Smooth Jazz was the creation of Russ and the musicians he played with at a small North Hollywood club, the Baked Potato. (Brendon Fields or Kenny G on sax, David Benoit on piano, Tony Morales on Drums, Steve Reid on percussion, and Bill Lanphier on bass, with guest spots by Dave Koz, Joe Sample and Kirk Whalum.) From there Russ has laid down a solid foundation of work, creating some of the best Smooth Jazz songs and CDs in the genre. Accolades abound, which are well deserved. We met up with Russ at Rodney Strong Vineyards in Healdsburg, CA. He was in high spirits, it was a beautiful day and where better to be than in a winery?
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| The slideshow below features Russ Freeman on guitar, Jeff kashiwa on saxophones and EWI, Bill Heller on keyborad, Dave Karasony on drums, and new member, Rico Belled on bass. Yaredt Leon, Russ' very accomplished Spanish pop songwriter wife, can be seen in one of the photos. She's sitting on a speaker on the left side of the stage. |
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Rippingtons CDs |
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Modern Art |
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Rippingtons 20 |
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Wild Card |
 
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Drive |
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Let It Ripp |
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Life in the Tropics |
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Live Across America |
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Topaz |
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The Best of the Rippingtons 1997 |
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Black Diamond |
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Brave New World |
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Holiday |
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Sahara |
 
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Live in LA |
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Weekend in Monaco |
 
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Curves Ahead |
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Welcome to the St James Club |
 
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Tourist in Paradise |
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Kilimanjaro |
 
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Moonlighting |
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Nocturnal Playground |
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Rippingtons Tour 2009 |
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| August |
8 |
Raisin River Jazz Fest |
Monroe, MI |
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14 |
Hyatt Newporter |
Newport Beach, CA |
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16 |
Thornton Winery |
Temecula, CA |
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| September |
5 |
Variety Playhouse |
Atlanta, GA |
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6 |
American Music Fest |
Virginia Beach, VA |
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11 |
Kettle Moraine Jazz Fest |
West Bend, WI |
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| October |
4 |
Maxwell King Center |
Melbourne, FL |
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6 |
Ruth Eckerd Hall |
Clearwater, FL |
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10 |
Boulder Station |
Las Vegas, NV |
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| November |
19-20 |
Scullers Jazz Club |
Boston, MA |
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21 |
Buffalo State College |
Buffalo, NY |
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Rodney Strong Vineyards |
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Located south of the town of Healdsburg, CA, Rodney Strong Vineyards is in the heart of the Sonoma Wine Country. Beautiful views, great weather and Smooth Jazz, no better combination.
Concert goers arrive early for a little wine tasting before the concert. Located close to the Pacific Ocean, Rodney Strong Vineyards grows grapes that like a cool ocean breeze.
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Rodney Strong Vineyards and Omega Events hosts a Smooth Jazz concert series every summer on the winery grounds, nestled on the south west side of the winery building, below the tasting room.
www.rodneystrong.com |
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| Find out more about Russ Freeman at www.russfreeman.com |
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| Find out more about the Rippingtons at www.rippingtons.com |
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| Find out more about Rodney Strong Vineyards at www.rodneystrong.com |
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| Find out more about Omega Events at www.omega.com |
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