The Rippingtons

{{Short description|American jazz band}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox musical artist  | name = The Rippingtons | image = Eric Marienthal & Russ Freeman.jpg | caption = Eric Marienthal and Russ Freeman playing live in 2007 | background = group_or_band | origin = [[United States]] | genre = [[Smooth jazz]], [[jazz fusion]], [[jazz pop]], [[crossover jazz]], [[Jazz Funk]] | years_active = 1985–2020 | label = [[GRP Records|GRP]], [[Windham Hill Records|Windham Hill]], [[Peak Records|Peak]], [[Concord Records|Concord]] | website = {{URL|www.rippingtons.com}} | past_members = [[Russ Freeman (guitarist)|Russ Freeman]] Brandon Fields Steve Reid † Tony Morales † [[Kenny G]] Bill Lanphier Gregg Karukas Jimmy Johnson Rob Mullins Steve Bailey Mark Portmann [[Jeff Kashiwa]] Kim Stone Tom McMorran David Kochanski David Anderson Dave Hooper Ramon Yslas Paul Taylor Eric Marienthal Scott Breadman Dave Karasony Bill Heller Rico Belled}}

'''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 (guitarist)|Russ Freeman]], their career has spanned more than three decades. With a revolving door of musicians, Freeman has been the only consistent member.<ref>{{cite web | title = The Rippingtons | website = Discogs | url = https://www.discogs.com/artist/555275-The-Rippingtons?srsltid=AfmBOooPdNWQwZ-SH6YXovoRszGgLwyUye9ncXxFOkb4HNe4qZfUXylj | access-date = March 10, 2025}}</ref>

Many of their songs have been featured in the "[[Local on the 8s]]" forecast segments on ''[[The Weather Channel]]''.<ref>{{cite web | title = Search Results | website = TWC Classics | url = https://twcclassics.com/search.php?query=The+Rippingtons&section=video | access-date = March 10, 2025}}</ref><ref name="twcplaylist">{{Cite web|url=http://www.weather.com/tv/music/mar2011.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812184118/http://www.weather.com/tv/music/mar2011.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 12, 2014|title=The Weather Channel - Music|date=August 12, 2014}}</ref> The band's [[mascot]] is a grinning, sunglasses-wearing jazz cat, which appears in the artwork of all the band's releases and on their official website.

==Current members== *[[Russ Freeman (guitarist)|Russ Freeman]] – guitar, keyboards and programming *Dave Karasony – drums *Bill Heller – piano *Rico Belled – bass *[[Brandon Fields (musician)|Brandon Fields]] – saxophone

Past members have included bassists [[Kim Stone]], 1990–2008, [[Steve Bailey]] and Bill Lanphier; saxophone players [[Jeff Kashiwa]], [[Paul Taylor (saxophonist)|Paul Taylor]], [[Eric Marienthal]], [[Kenny G]], [[Kirk Whalum]], and [[Nelson Rangell]]; pianists/keyboard players [[Dave Kochanski]], [[David Benoit (musician)|David Benoit]], [[Gregg Karukas]], [[Tom McMorran]] and [[Mark Portmann]]; drummers [[Tony Morales]], [[David Anderson (drummer)|David Anderson]], [[Omar Hakim]], and [[Dave Hooper]]; and percussionists Scott Breadman, Ray Yslas and [[Steve Reid (The Rippingtons)|Steve Reid]].

===Timeline=== {{#tag:timeline| ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20 PlotArea = left:120 bottom:90 top:0 right:10 Alignbars = justify DateFormat =dd/mm/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1985 till:01/01/2023 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy ScaleMajor = increment:3 start:1985 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1985 Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:3

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BackgroundColors = bars:bars

BarData = bar:Freeman text:"Russ Freeman"

bar:Karukas text:"Gregg Karukas" bar:Garfield text:"David Garfield" bar:Portmann text:"Mark Portmann" bar:McMorran text:"Tom McMorran" bar:Kochanski text:"David Kochanski" bar:Heller text:"Bill Heller"

bar:Reid text:"Steve Reid" bar:Yslas text:"Ramon Yslas" bar:Breadman text:"Scott Breadman"

bar:G text:"Kenny G" bar:Fields text:"Brandon Fields" bar:Kashiwa text:"Jeff Kashiwa" bar:Taylor text:"Paul Taylor" bar:Marienthal text:"Eric Marienthal"

bar:Lanphier text:"Bill Lanphier" bar:Johnson text:"Jimmy Johnson" bar:Bailey text:"Steve Bailey" bar:Stone text:"Kim Stone" bar:Belled text:"Rico Belled"

bar:Morales text:"Tony Morales" bar:Anderson text:"David Anderson" bar:Hooper text:"Dave Hooper" bar:Karasony text:"Dave Karasony"

PlotData= bar:Freeman from:start till:01/01/2020 color:Guitar width:11

bar:Karukas from:start till:01/01/1988 color:Keys width:11 bar:Garfield from:01/01/1988 till:01/01/1989 color:Keys width:11

bar:Portmann from:01/01/1989 till:01/01/1994 color:Keys width:11

bar:McMorran from:01/01/1994 till:01/01/1995 color:Keys width:11

bar:Kochanski from:01/01/1995 till:01/01/2000 color:Keys width:11

bar:Heller from:01/01/1999 till:01/01/2020 color:Keys width:11 bar:Heller from:01/01/1999 till:01/01/2000 color:plus width:3

bar:G from:01/01/1986 till:01/01/1987 color:Winds width:11

bar:Fields from:start till:01/01/1991 color:Winds width:11 bar:Fields from:01/01/1989 till:01/01/1991 color:plus width:3 bar:Fields from:01/01/2016 till:01/01/2020 color:Winds width:11

bar:Kashiwa from:01/01/1989 till:01/01/1999 color:Winds width:11 bar:Kashiwa from:01/01/2006 till:01/01/2016 color:Winds width:11

bar:Taylor from:01/01/1999 till:01/01/2000 color:Winds width:11

bar:Marienthal from:01/01/2000 till:01/01/2006 color:Winds width:11

bar:Lanphier from:start till:01/01/1989 color:Bass width:11 bar:Johnson from:start till:01/01/1988 color:Bass width:11 bar:Johnson from:start till:01/01/1988 color:plus width:3

bar:Bailey from:01/01/1989 till:01/01/1993 color:Bass width:11 bar:Bailey from:01/01/1990 till:01/01/1993 color:plus width:3

bar:Stone from:01/01/1990 till:01/01/2009 color:Bass width:11

bar:Belled from:01/01/2009 till:01/01/2020 color:Bass width:11

bar:Morales from:start till:01/01/1996 color:Drums width:11 bar:Anderson from:01/01/1996 till:01/01/1999 color:Drums width:11

bar:Hooper from:01/01/1999 till:01/01/2000 color:Drums width:11

bar:Karasony from:01/01/2000 till:01/01/2020 color:Drums width:11 bar:Reid from:start till:01/01/1999 color:Perc width:11 bar:Reid from:01/01/2006 till:01/01/2007 color:Perc width:11 bar:Yslas from:01/01/1999 till:01/01/2000 color:Perc width:11 bar:Breadman from:01/01/2000 till:01/01/2006 color:Perc width:11

LineData = layer:back color:studio at:01/01/1986 at:01/01/1988 at:01/01/1989 at:01/01/1990 at:01/01/1991 at:01/01/1992 at:01/01/1994 at:01/01/1996 at:01/01/1997 at:01/01/1999 at:01/01/2000 at:01/01/2003 at:01/01/2005 at:01/01/2006 at:01/01/2009 at:01/01/2011 at:01/01/2012 at:01/01/2014 at:01/01/2015 at:01/01/2016 at:01/01/2019 }}

==Music career== ===1980s=== The band name was conceived by Russ Freeman after hearing friends play "and they were ripping", so Freeman thought of ''Rippingtons'' for a name.<ref name="latimes">{{cite news | last = Heckman | first = Don | title = Guitarist Russ Freeman Named His Band After Its "Really Ripping" Jazz Fusion Sound | work = Los Angeles Times | date = February 17, 1989 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-02-17-ca-3119-story.html | access-date = June 29, 2022}}</ref><ref name="washingtonpost">{{cite news | last = Himes | first = Geoffrey | title = The Rippingtons: "Peak" Performance | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = June 5, 1998 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1998/06/05/the-rippingtons-peak-performance/af2bd055-f4c6-4976-a392-416ce42daabf/ | access-date = August 25, 2022}}</ref><ref name=RippintonsName>{{cite web|last1=Lannert|first1=John|title=Name Game Aside, Freeman Delivers|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1991-02-22/features/9101090936_1_rippingtons-russ-freeman-productions-tony-morales|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303213512/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1991-02-22/features/9101090936_1_rippingtons-russ-freeman-productions-tony-morales|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 3, 2016|website=Sun Sentinel|publisher=Tribune Newspaper|accessdate=18 August 2014}}</ref> Freeman had previously released his solo debut album ''[[Nocturnal Playground]]'', which was released in April 1986 under the ''Brainchild Records'' label.<ref>{{cite news | last = Snowden | first = Don | title = JAZZ REVIEW: Russ Freeman Stuffs 'Em In | work = Los Angeles Times | date = August 13, 1986 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-08-13-ca-17971-story.html | access-date = April 6, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Arnold | first = Thomas K. | title = Russ Freeman: Jazz Fuses with Country for a Top 10 Sound | work = Los Angeles Times | date = December 15, 1987 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-12-15-ca-29049-story.html | access-date = April 6, 2023}}</ref>

The band's recording career began in 1986 with the recording of the album ''[[Moonlighting (The Rippingtons album)|Moonlighting]]''.<ref>{{cite news | last = Joyce | first = Mike | title = An Effusion of Fusion | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = March 27, 1987 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1987/03/27/an-effusion-of-fusion/d5668b80-396e-460c-922b-1375d99cabaf/ | access-date = August 25, 2022}}</ref><ref name="washingtonpost"/><ref name="Larkin">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1997|edition=Concise|isbn=1-85227-745-9|page=1017/8}}</ref> The album was well received by critics and consumers and featured the song "She Likes to Watch," which has gone on to become a staple of the band's live set and one of their signature tunes. In April 1988, the Rippingtons released ''[[Kilimanjaro (Rippingtons album)|Kilimanjaro]]'' and began to tour more extensively.<ref>{{cite news | last = Duffy | first = Thom | title = Freeman Bringing Exotic Sound to Cheek to Cheek | work = Orlando Sentinel | date = April 24, 1988 | url = https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1988-04-24-0030350107-story.html | access-date = February 16, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Larkin"/> Mark Portmann, Steve Bailey (replacing Bill Lanphier), and Jeff Kashiwa joined the band, the band then released ''[[Tourist in Paradise]]'' in May 1989.<ref name="latimes"/><ref name="Larkin"/> The tour for this album featured the group's first visit to [[Japan]] with [[David Benoit (musician)|David Benoit]], where they joined the special summer concert series in [[Tokyo, Japan|Tokyo]] produced by Japanese saxophonist [[Sadao Watanabe (musician)|Sadao Watanabe]].

===1990s=== In August 1990, bassist Kim Stone joined the group replacing Steve Bailey; the album ''[[Welcome to the St. James' Club]]'' was released that month,<ref>{{cite news | last = Herrmann | first = Brenda | title = Rippingtons Featuring Russ Freeman, Welcome to the St. James' Club | work = Chicago Tribune | date = January 24, 1991 | url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1991-01-24-9101070643-story.html | access-date = August 25, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Larkin"/> and became the band's first CD to debut at #1 in the [[Billboard Charts]].

In 1991, Russ Freeman relocated to [[Colorado]] and opened ''Cheyenne Mountain Ranch'' studios. The move influenced the group's next album, ''[[Curves Ahead]]'',<ref name="Larkin"/> which was released in August, and featured songs based on [[Africa]], [[Brazil]], and the ski atmosphere in Colorado.<ref>{{cite news | last = Sutro | first = Dirk | title = Rippingtons' Sound Takes On an Exotic Flavor: Jazz: Leader Russ Freeman Weaves African and Brazilian Rhythms Into Group's Music | work = Los Angeles Times | date = April 18, 1991 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-04-18-ca-286-story.html | access-date = June 29, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Sutro | first = Dirk | title = JAZZ REVIEW: Rippingtons Fall Short in Real Life | work = Los Angeles Times | date = September 16, 1991 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-09-16-ca-1659-story.html | access-date = April 9, 2023}}</ref> Standouts include "Aspen" and the title track.

In August 1992, the group released ''[[Weekend in Monaco]]'',<ref name="latimes2">{{cite news | last = Sutro | first = Dirk | title = The Relaxed Rippingtons Hit the Road: Music: A Rocky Mountain Retreat Helped Inspire the Group, Which Kicks Off a National Tour This Week at Humphrey's | work = Los Angeles Times | date = August 18, 1992 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-08-18-ca-5736-story.html | access-date = June 29, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Joyce | first = Mike | title = Fusion-Led Tour with Rippingtons | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = October 23, 1992 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1992/10/23/fusion-led-tour-with-rippingtons/0b0e9803-1a63-40c2-900a-7a91a1b73cea/ | access-date = August 25, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Larkin"/> which, to date, has been one of their best selling albums. After its release the group toured [[Europe]] for the first time in June 1993. The U.S. leg of the tour was documented on the album ''[[Live in L.A. (The Rippingtons album)|Live in L.A.]]'',<ref name="Larkin"/> with the video recorded live at ''The Ventura Theatre'' in [[Ventura, California]] on September 25, 1992, and the album recorded at ''The Greek Theatre'' in [[Los Angeles, California]] on September 26, 1992.<ref name="latimes2"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rippingtons.com/|title=Rippingtons Official Site|website=Rippingtons.com}}</ref>

In 1994, Tom McMorran joined the band after Mark Portmann left, and in August of that year, the band released ''[[Sahara (Rippingtons album)|Sahara]]''.<ref>{{cite news | last = Stewart | first = Zan | title = MUSIC: Building on Some Jazz Basics: Russ Freeman Blends Variety of Styles in Creating Modern Sound of the Rippingtons | work = Los Angeles Times | date = September 9, 1994 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-09-09-va-36367-story.html | access-date = June 29, 2022}}</ref> The following tour featured extensive dates in [[East Asia]], where the group played Tokyo, [[Osaka]], [[Fukuoka, Fukuoka|Fukuoka]] (Japan), and [[Southeast Asia]] including [[Jakarta]] (Indonesia), [[Manila]] (Philippines) as well as [[Singapore]] and [[Guam]].

In 1995, David Kochanski joined the group, and the group made its presence known on the Internet. February 1996 saw the release of ''[[Brave New World (Rippingtons album)|Brave New World]]'',<ref>{{cite news | last = Heckman | first = Don | title = The Rippingtons' Healing Sound | work = Los Angeles Times | date = June 2, 1996 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-06-02-ca-10925-story.html | access-date = June 29, 2022}}</ref><ref name="washingtonpost"/> which featured covers of "[[Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now]]," "[[While My Guitar Gently Weeps]]," and "Caravan of Love." The album was a stylistic departure for the band, and included more Urban Jazz than had appeared on previous releases. [http://www.tonymorales.com Tony Morales], the original drummer, left the band after this release to pursue a career in web management. Morales put together the Rippingtons' first web site, which was nominated for an AOL award (Best Jazz Band Site). He later became the webmaster and manager of [[Silicon Graphics International]]'s [http://www.sgi.com web sites] for 10 years, and now has his own hosting and development business [http://www.tonyhosting.com tonyhosting.com].

In March 1997, the group released ''[[Black Diamond (Rippingtons album)|Black Diamond]]'', their first record on [[Peak Records]] in conjunction with [[Windham Hill Records]].<ref>{{cite news | last = Heckman | first = Don | title = Diamond in the Smooth | work = Los Angeles Times | date = August 21, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-aug-21-ca-24362-story.html | access-date = June 29, 2022}}</ref><ref name="washingtonpost"/> The album debuted at #1 on Billboard. In 1999, Dave Hooper and Ramon Yslas joined the Rippingtons, and Jeff Kashiwa was replaced by Paul Taylor. In May 1999, the group released ''[[Topaz (Rippingtons album)|Topaz]]'',<ref>{{cite news | last = Himes | first = Geoffrey | title = The Rippingtons, Featuring Russ Freeman: "Topaz" | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = July 2, 1999 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1999/07/02/the-rippingtons-featuring-russ-freeman-topaz/7ef66c2d-3f30-4853-b149-3679920de5ef/ | access-date = June 29, 2022}}</ref> which featured Native American flute work by Robert Tree Cody. Topaz remains one of the group's most requested CDs.

===2000s=== In 2000, Russ Freeman relocated to South [[Florida]], and the move was reflected thematically in ''[[Life in the Tropics]]''.<ref>{{cite news | last = Heckman | first = Don | title = A Revealing Look at Sandoval's Many Talents | work = Los Angeles Times | date = November 19, 2000 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-nov-19-ca-54086-story.html | access-date = August 25, 2022}}</ref> This was the group's first album to be recorded digitally. In 2001, Scott Breadman, Bill Heller, Dave Karasony, and jazz saxophonist [[Eric Marienthal]] joined the group, and the following tour was documented on the live album ''[[Live Across America]]''. In 2003, the group released ''[[Let It Ripp]]'', featuring the title cut, which became a hit.

In 2005, the group released ''[[Wild Card (Rippingtons album)|Wild Card]]'', which plays on their ongoing Latin influences. The album features guest vocal spots by Latin music stars [[Willy Chirino]], [[Chante Moore]], and [[Albita]].

In 2006, the group celebrated their 20th anniversary by releasing ''[[20th Anniversary]]'', a two disc set which includes the main CD as well as a 20th Anniversary Retrospective DVD.

On March 10, 2009, the Rippingtons made a return to the contemporary jazz scene with the release of the album ''[[Modern Art (Rippingtons album)|Modern Art]]''. A new bassist, Ricardo "Rico" Belled, participated in the recording of this album. ''Modern Art'' was nominated for a Grammy in the category "Best Pop Instrumental Album."<ref>{{cite web|title=GRAMMY Award Results for The Rippingtons Featuring Russ Freeman; 52ND ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS (2009)|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/rippingtons-featuring-russ-freeman|website=Grammy.com|publisher=Recording Academy|accessdate=December 26, 2017}}{{dead link|date=February 2026|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

In October 2009, the Rippingtons returned to Japan to perform four nights (eight gigs) at the Cotton Club in Tokyo. This was their first-time return to Japan in 18 years.

===2010s=== In 2011, the Rippingtons took listeners to the French coast with the thematic album, ''[[Côte D'Azur (album)|Côte D'Azur]].'' The album features French, Latin, Gypsy and Euro rhythms. Saxophonist [[Jeff Kashiwa]] is featured on the album (he returned for the second album in a row.)<ref>{{cite news|last1=Soergel|first1=Brian|title=The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman: Cote D'Azur|url=https://jazztimes.com/reviews/albums/the-rippingtons-featuring-russ-freeman-cote-dazur|date=March 1, 2011|newspaper=Jazztimes|publisher=JazzTimes, Inc.|accessdate=December 26, 2017}}</ref>

The group released ''Built To Last'' on August 28, 2012, featuring [[Zakk Wylde]], a full orchestra, and elements of jazz, rock, pop and country.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wood|first1=James|title=Interview: Russ Freeman and The Rippingtons Are 'Built To Last'|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/interview-russ-freeman-and-rippingtons-are-built-last|date=November 14, 2012|website=GuitarWorld.com|publisher=NewBay Media, LLC.|accessdate=December 26, 2017}}</ref> This album was the first for the Rippingtons under its new partnership with [[E1 Music]].

==Discography== ===Studio albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:18em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:19em;"| Album details ! scope="col" colspan="4"| Peak chart positions |- ! scope="col" style="width:5em;font-size:75%;"| Top Contemporary Jazz Albums <ref>{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=the rippingtons|chart=Jazz Albums}}|title=The Rippingtons Album & Song Chart History - Jazz Albums|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Nielsen Company]]|accessdate=May 11, 2011}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:5em;font-size:75%;"| [[Billboard 200|US]] <ref name="Billboard 200">{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=the rippingtons|chart=Billboard 200}}|title=The Rippingtons Album & Song Chart History - Billboard 200|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Nielsen Company]]|accessdate=May 11, 2011}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:5em;font-size:75%;"| Top Independent Albums <ref>{{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=the rippingtons|chart=Independent Albums}}|title=The Rippingtons Album & Song Chart History - Independent Albums|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=[[Nielsen Company]]|accessdate=May 11, 2011}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:5em;font-size:75%;"| Top Jazz Albums <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-rippingtons-p7423/charts-awards|title=The Rippingtons - Charts and Awards|work=[[Allmusic|AllMusic]]|accessdate=May 11, 2011}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| ''[[Moonlighting (The Rippingtons album)|Moonlighting]]'' | style="text-align:left;"| * Release date: 1986 * Label: [[Alfa Records|Alfa Moon]] (Japan) [under its subsidiary label [[The Baked Potato]]; initially released as ''Cruise Control Moon Riding''], [[Passport Jazz]] [reissued by GRP in 1990] * Formats: [[Compact disc|CD]], [[Compact cassette|cassette]], [[LP record|LP]] | 5 | 50 | - | 25 |- ! scope="row"| ''[[Kilimanjaro (The Rippingtons album)|Kilimanjaro]]'' | style="text-align:left;"| * Release date: April 24, 1988 * Label: [[GRP Records|GRP]] * Formats: CD, cassette, LP | 3 | 110 | - | - |- ! scope="row"| ''[[Tourist in Paradise]]'' | style="text-align:left;"| * Release date: May 15, 1989 * Label: [[GRP Records|GRP]] * Formats: CD, cassette, LP | 4 | 85 | - | - |- ! scope="row"| ''[[Welcome to the St. James' Club]]'' | style="text-align:left;"| * Release date: August 21, 1990 * Label: [[GRP Records|GRP]] * Formats: CD, cassette, DAT, LP | 1 | - | - | - |- ! scope="row"| ''[[Curves Ahead]]'' | style="text-align:left;"| * Release date: August 13, 1991 * Label: [[GRP Records|GRP]] * Formats: CD, cassette, DCC, LP | 1 | 148 | - | - |- ! scope="row"| ''[[Weekend in Monaco]]'' | style="text-align:left;"| * Release date: August 18, 1992 * Label: [[GRP Records|GRP]] * Formats: CD, cassette | 2 | 147 | - | - |- ! scope="row"| ''[[Sahara (The Rippingtons album)|Sahara]]'' | style="text-align:left;"| * Release date: August 30, 1994 * Label: [[GRP Records|GRP]] * Formats: CD, cassette | 1 | - | - | - |- ! scope="row"| ''[[Brave New World (The Rippingtons album)|Brave New World]]'' | style="text-align:left;"| * Release date: February 27, 1996 * Label: [[GRP Records|GRP]] * Formats: CD, cassette | 4 | - | - | - |- ! scope="row"| ''[[Black Diamond (The Rippingtons album)|Black Diamond]]'' | style="text-align:left;"| * Release date: March 24, 1997 * Label: [[Peak Records|Peak]] * Formats: CD, cassette | 1 | 147 | - | - |- ! scope="row"| ''[[Topaz (The Rippingtons album)|Topaz]]'' | style="text-align:left;"| * Release date: May 18, 1999 * Label: [[Peak Records|Peak]] * Formats: CD, cassette | 2 | - | - | 26 |- ! scope="row"| ''[[Life in the Tropics]]'' | style="text-align:left;"| * Release date: October 10, 2000 * Label: [[Peak Records|Peak]] * Formats: CD | 4 | - | 29 | - |- ! scope="row"| ''[[Let It Ripp]]'' | style="text-align:left;"| * Release date: May 6, 2003 * Label: [[Peak Records|Peak]] * Formats: CD | 6 | - | 15 | - |- ! scope="row"| ''[[Wild Card (The Rippingtons album)|Wild Card]]'' | style="text-align:left;"| * Release date: May 17, 2005 * Label: [[Peak Records|Peak]] * Formats: CD | 4 | - | - | 4 |- ! scope="row"| ''[[20th Anniversary]]'' | style="text-align:left;"| * Release date: July 25, 2006 * Label: [[Peak Records|Peak]] * Formats: CD | 3 | - | - | 3 |- ! scope="row"| ''[[Modern Art (The Rippingtons album)|Modern Art]]'' | style="text-align:left;"| * Release date: March 10, 2009 * Label: [[Peak Records|Peak]] * Formats: CD | 4 | - | - | 4 |- ! scope="row"| ''[[Côte D'Azur (album)|Côte D'Azur]]'' | style="text-align:left;"| * Release date: February 1, 2011 * Label: [[Peak Records|Peak]] * Formats: CD | 3 | - | - | 3 |- ! scope="row"| ''[[Built to Last (The Rippingtons album)|Built To Last]]'' | style="text-align:left;"| * Release date: August 28, 2012 * Label: [[eOne Music|eOne]] * Formats: CD | 1 | - | 35 | 1 |- ! scope="row"| ''[[Fountain of Youth (album)|Fountain of Youth]]'' | style="text-align:left;"| * Release date: June 10, 2014 * Label: [[eOne Music|eOne]] * Formats: CD | 3 | - | - | 3 |- ! scope="row"| ''[[True Stories (The Rippingtons album)|True Stories]]'' | style="text-align:left;"| * Release date: June 24, 2016 * Label: [[eOne Music|eOne]] * Formats: CD | 1 | - | 24 | 1 |- ! scope="row"| ''[[Open Road (The Rippingtons album)|Open Road]]'' | style="text-align:left;"| * Release date: March 22, 2019 * Label: [[eOne Music|eOne]] * Formats: CD | - | - | - | - |- |}

===Live albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:18em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:19em;"| Album details ! scope="col" colspan="4"| Peak chart positions |- ! scope="col" style="width:5em;font-size:75%;"| Top Contemporary Jazz Albums ! scope="col" style="width:5em;font-size:75%;"| [[Billboard 200|US]] ! scope="col" style="width:5em;font-size:75%;"| Top Independent Albums ! scope="col" style="width:5em;font-size:75%;"| Top Jazz Albums |- ! scope="row"| ''[[Live in L.A. (The Rippingtons album)|Live in L.A.]]'' | style="text-align:left;"| * Release date: 1992 * Label: [[GRP Records|GRP]] * Formats: [[Compact disc|CD]], [[Compact cassette|cassette]] | 6 | - | - | - |- ! scope="row"| ''[[Live Across America]]'' | style="text-align:left;"| * Release date: March 12, 2002 * Label: [[Peak Records|Peak]] * Formats: CD | 11 | - | - | - |- |}

===Compilations=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:18em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:19em;"| Album details ! scope="col" colspan="4"| Peak chart positions |- ! scope="col" style="width:5em;font-size:75%;"| Top Contemporary Jazz Albums ! scope="col" style="width:5em;font-size:75%;"| [[Billboard 200|US]] ! scope="col" style="width:5em;font-size:75%;"| Top Independent Albums ! scope="col" style="width:5em;font-size:75%;"| Top Jazz Albums |- ! scope="row"| ''[[The Best of The Rippingtons]]'' | style="text-align:left;"| * Release date: November 11, 1997 * Label: [[GRP Records|GRP]] * Formats: [[Compact disc|CD]], [[Compact cassette|cassette]] | 10 | - | - | - |- |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [http://www.rippingtons.com Official website] * [https://www.discogs.com/artist/555275-The-Rippingtons?srsltid=AfmBOooPdNWQwZ-SH6YXovoRszGgLwyUye9ncXxFOkb4HNe4qZfUXylj The Rippingtons at Discogs] * [http://www.globalbass.com/archives/june2002/kim_stone.htm Interview with Kim Stone at Globalbass.com]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rippingtons, The}} [[Category:Smooth jazz ensembles]] [[Category:Windham Hill Records artists]] [[Category:GRP Records artists]] [[Category:American jazz fusion ensembles]] [[Category:Musical groups established in 1985]]