Category rippingtons

Steve Reid Has Passed

My heart is heavy at the news of the passing of percussionist Steve Reid of The Rippingtons. Jeff Kashiwa posted it today on Facebook. He was my favorite percussionist. I’ve loved The Rippingtons for many years, and so much of…

John Hilderbrand
October 15, 2025
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A collage of nine contemporary jazz album covers from 1990: Michael Franks – Blue Pacific, Basia – London Warsaw New York, Bob James – Grand Piano Canyon, Spyro Gyra – Fast Forward, The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman – Welcome to the St. James’ Club, Stanley Clarke & George Duke – 3, Najee – Tokyo Blue, Tom Grant – Edge of the World, and Max Groove – Maximum Groove. The collage is set against a purple background with faint CD imagery.

Top Contemporary Jazz Albums – September 15, 1990

ContemporaryJazz.com is looking back at the Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz Albums Chart from 35 years ago. Michael Franks’ 1990 release Blue Pacific glowed with his trademark lyrical cleverness – playful turns of phrase and gentle humor wrapped in breezy storytelling.…

John Hilderbrand
September 15, 2025

montage of album covers from April 1995 top contemporary jazz albums: Pat Metheny Group, Incognito, Norman Brown, Acoustic Alchemy, Rippingtons, Richard Elliot, George Duke, Kenny G and Spyro Gyra

Top Contemporary Jazz Albums – April 22, 1995

According to Billboard magazine, here were the Top Contemporary Jazz Albums for the week of April 22, 1995! Meanwhile, over on the Top Jazz Albums for the same week, David Sanborn was on top with Pearls, his lush recording…

John Hilderbrand
April 18, 2025
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