A Rippington
Good Time

on the road, the Rippingtons offer
music therapy experiences. The com-
munity initiative was a response to fan
uss Freeman and the
letters that recounted how their
Rippingtons have enter-
upbeat music affected the lives of lis-
teners.
tained in Michigan many
"We just did our favorite music
times, but their upcoming
Southfield show brings fresh attention
therapy session of all time," Freeman
to jazzy Latin beats with the
says. "It was at a
accent on their latest record-
school for the
ing, Life in the Tropics.
blind in
The group, with special
Washington, D.C.
guest saxman Eric
The band did a
Marienthal, will appear at
mini-concert and
noon Sunday, June 3, at
explained our
The Green at the
instruments. We
Southfield Civic Center as
passed out percus-
part of the V98.7 Smooth
sion instruments
Jazzfest. Running June 1-3
and had the kids
the three-day event also
play along."
includes performances by
Playing along
Rick Braun, Jeff Golub, Al
with Freeman in
Jarreau and others.
Southfield will be
"I composed most of the
Dave Karisony on
music for Life in the
drums, Bill Heller
Tropics," says guitarist
on keyboards,
Freeman, also the arranger
Kim Stone on
and producer who formed
bass and Scott
the group in 1986. "I was Russ Freeman of the Rippingtons Breadman on per-
going for a live feel, and I
cussions.
wanted a party atmosphere and
Freeman's wife of four years, Rona, is
happy sound. I also wanted listeners
an actress currently appearing in a TV
to feel they were involved with the
beer commercial. "[My] Judaism has
music, and I think we've accom-
become more important to me since I
plished some of that.
married," says Freeman, who grew up
"We've been experimenting with
in Nashville. "My wife observes the
Latin sounds for years, and it's been
holidays. We live in Boca Raton, and
growing and cultivating with some of
there's always been a large Jewish pop-
our travels," says Freeman, 41, who
ulation where I've lived." ❑
recently moved to Florida and built a
studio in his home. "I felt it was very
Russ Freeman and the
infectious music, and it's a real nice
Rippingtons will appear noon
contrast to some of the other musical
Sunday, June 3, at The Green at
styles that we have."
the Southfield Civic Center,
Life in the Tropics, released last fall, is
Evergreen
Road at Civic Center
the 12th Rippington album. Black
Drive,
as
part
of the V98.7
Diamond, recorded in 1997, reflects a
Smooth
Jazzfest,
which runs
love of skiing, while Topaz, made in
Friday-Sunday,
June
1-3. Friday
1999, is a heartfelt tribute to the
performances
are
$15
majesty of the American Southwest.
advance/$20 at the door. Saturday
At the Smooth Jazz Awards in
and Sunday performances are $30
March, the band was named Smooth
advance/$35 at the door. Three-
Jazz Group of the Year, and Freeman
day passes are available for $60.
was named Producer of the Year.
For a complete schedule, go to
Freeman also is the recipient of two
www.v987.com/schedule.htrnl.
Lifetime Achievement Awards — an
For tickets, call 354-9603 or
Oasis Smooth Jazz Award and a
(248) 645-6666.
Billboard/BET Jazz Award.
In between concerts that keep them

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Special to the Jewish News

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• 5/25
2001