Books, Movies, Music & Entertainment - Any fans of the Rippingtons/ other jazz?

I was just wondering if there are any fans of The Rippingtons here, or other modern jazz artists like Peter White, Special EFX, Bob James, Chriss Botti, Marc Antoine, Down To The Bone, etc.
I've seen The Rippingtons perform five times--- twice in Houston (indoors & outdoors), and three times here in Memphis. For my money, The Ripps are THE entertainment value on the planet. Just curious. Jim

Rippingtons still working it? Russ Freeman still in the band or am I confusing him with another group?

I used to listen, but haven't in a while. In addition to who you mentioned, I love Bill Bruford, Flim and the BBs, Shadowfax, Tower of Power, Richard Elliot, Manhattan Transfer, Stanley Clarke. I like older jazz too, but you asked about newer groups. Is Mannheim Steamroller and their groups considered jazz or new age or what?

What makes the Ripps THE value? I'm sure they're musically awesome, but do they do other stuff?

Here's my concert story: David Benoit opened for David Sanborn. My buddy and I -- we worked in a record store (yea, before CDs), so we always got tix before the public -- were in the front row, just hanging out until the crowd cleared out. Sanborn's drummer was doing something and asked if we liked the show... hell yeah we did. He's like, "hey, you're welcome to come back stage and hang out." Cool! We head back there and there's no women :eek: WTF? We said out thanks, good show... and split.


EDIT: I haven't listened in a while cuz Denver is culturally dead. When I lived in S.Florida, we'd hit all different types of music clubs from cajun to reggae to alternative. I remember a place, think it was called the Musician's Exchange... always had different and very cool stuff going on. I love the mountains and love cycling here, but man, this place sucks in many other ways.

Ugh, they could put the biggest speed freak to sleep.

Sad to say that I used to be a bit of a "fan" and had just about all of their albums. Then, complete and utter boredom with the music. Instead I went back to the pure aspects of jazz. The Riverside recordings of Bill Evans, the very early Miles Davis, the old Coltrane, etc. Beautiful stuff. Full of soul and completely devoid of the cliche of modern electric jazz. I've never felt more free.

Sad to say that I used to be a bit of a "fan" and had just about all of their albums. Then, complete and utter boredom with the music. Instead I went back to the pure aspects of jazz. The Riverside recordings of Bill Evans, the very early Miles Davis, the old Coltrane, etc. Beautiful stuff. Full of soul and completely devoid of the cliche of modern electric jazz. I've never felt more free.


Sounds like a wise move to me.