Russ Freeman

Russ Freeman took up the guitar at age 14. He was early on attracted to jazz players such as George Benson as well as pop greats like the Beatles and James Taylor.

Born on February 11th, 1960 in Galveston Texas, and raised in Nashville, Russ Freeman took up the guitar at age 14. He was early on attracted to jazz players such as George Benson as well as pop greats like the Beatles and James Taylor. In 1979, he moved to Southern California, studying at UCLA and CalArts. In 1985 he made his solo debut album, Nocturnal Playground, followed by 1986's Moonlighting and 1988's Kilimanjaro, under the name Russ Freeman & The Rippingtons.

Signed to GRP in 1989, Freeman's career has flourished as he's released such solid-selling Rippington's albums such as Tourist In Paradise, Welcome To The St. James Club, Curves Ahead, Weekend In Monaco, Live In L.A., and in 1994, Sahara.

Freeman now lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and from there, makes regular sojourns around the world with his band. The Rippingtons' broad-based contemporary sound now reflects the diversity of music that has influenced the leader in his travels: jazz, rock, Latin, funk, and world beat.

Compositions by Russ Freeman appear on

River Story

Jazz pianist Tony Gould joins with one of the most talented guitarists/composers in Australia, Peter Petrucci, and together they play a mix of original pieces and standard repertoire.

Composer