Peak Records
Encyclopedia
Peak Records is a record label
that was co-founded by The Rippingtons
leader and guitarist Russ Freeman
& Andi Howard in 1994
.
The early years, Peak founded as a production for Russ' group The Rippingtons in GRP Records
. Now, Peak is a part of Concord Records
.
Peak's first recording was "Time Slipping By" from Mark Williamson in 1994, and "Sahara" by Russ Freeman and the Rippingtons.
During the late 1990s, Peak became a fully self-sufficient independent label under Windham Hill/RCA, and the Rippingtons' released "Black Diamond" to commemorate the then 10-year anniversary of the group.
When the label became part of Concord Records, Peak signed saxophonists Paul Taylor and Eric Marienthal, and the song-stylist Regina Belle to the label as well as vocalist Phil Perry, who has since shifted to Shanachie.
In 2001 sophisticated vocalist Ms. Belle released "This Is Regina", which went gold and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Soul/R & B Vocal.
Early on, the label put out the Rippingtons' second live recording called "Live! Across America" in 2002 and an album from critically acclaimed saxophonist Gato Barbieri called "The Shadow Of The Cat."
Former American Idol contestant LaToya London came out with an album on Peak Records in September 2005 called "Love and Life."
Others who have put forth product on the label include former Ambrosia vocalist David Pack and Denver-based contemporary jazz act Dotsero.
In 2004 another big hit in Contemporary Jazz, "Lazy Afternoon", came from the classy chanteuse Belle.The album made # 9 on the Billboard Smooth Jazz.
In the middle of the decade, Howard and the label became very aggressive in signing talent, bringing David Benoit in 2004, Lee Ritenour (2005), Gerald Albright (2006), Will Downing, Paul Brown, Norman Brown, Peabo Bryson and Marc Antoine (the last five all in 2007).
In 2006, Peak released the Rippingtons' "20th Anniversary Celebration," which also included a commemorative 25-minute DVD. The CD included new hit songs "Bingo Jingo," "City of Angels," "Costa Del Sol," and "Anything," which also featured singer/songwriter Brian McKnight.
During the summer of 2007, Peak Records' artists Paul Brown and Norman Brown both rocketed to No. 1 on the smooth jazz chart from Radio and Records magazine. The label also released the debut of Marc Antoine called "Hi-Lo Split."
For the fall of 2007, Peak Records will be releasing a new CDs from Eric Marienthal called "Just Around the Corner," Peabo Bryson's "Missing You" and Will Downing's label debut "After Tonight."
In the winter of 2008, new saxophone talent Jessy J released her debut recording on the label titled, "Tequila Moon." In addition, saxophonist Mindi Abair signed to a deal and her debut will came out in May 2008, a work titled "Stars."
In early 2008, Peak Records signed Grammy-nominated keyboardist and composer Jeff Lorber, with his debut expected to be released on Sept. 30, called "Heard That." Vocalist Leigh Jones also signed to the label, during a ceremony in mid-March.
In the latter stages of 2008, it was announced multi-talented Wayne Brady had joined Peak and would release his debut, "A Long Time Coming," on Sept. 16, which featured the hot radio single, "Ordinary."
Peak also signed acoustic guitarist/accordion player Peter White and early-1990s vocal supergroup All-4-One for projects to be released in 2009.
Two mainstays of the contemporary jazz record business also work behind the scenes for Peak in Mark Wexler and Deborah Lewow.
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
that was co-founded by The Rippingtons
The Rippingtons
The Rippingtons are a contemporary group mainly relating to the genres Smooth jazz, Jazz pop, and Crossover jazz. Formed in 1986 by guitarist and band leader Russ Freeman , their career has spanned two decades...
leader and guitarist Russ Freeman
Russ Freeman (guitarist)
James Russell Freeman is a smooth jazz artist of multiple genres, composer and bandleader. He studied for a time at UCLA and CalArts, but remained somewhat obscure before leading the studio-formed contemporary jazz band The Rippingtons in 1986. Freeman and his manager, Andi Howard, also formed...
& Andi Howard in 1994
1994 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1994.-January–February:*January 25 – Alice in Chains release their Jar of Flies album which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming the first ever EP to do so....
.
The early years, Peak founded as a production for Russ' group The Rippingtons in GRP Records
GRP Records
GRP Records is an American jazz record company, owned by Universal Music Group and operates through its Verve Music Group. The company's name has had different meanings. In its early days, it stood for "Grusin/Rosen Productions," after the founders...
. Now, Peak is a part of Concord Records
Concord Records
Concord Records is a U.S. record label now based in Beverly Hills, California. Originally known as Concord Jazz, it was established in 1972 as an off-shoot of the Concord Jazz Festival in Concord, California by festival founder Carl Jefferson, a local automobile dealer and jazz fan who sold his...
.
History
- 1994 Peak Records is co-founded by Russ FreemanRuss Freeman (guitarist)James Russell Freeman is a smooth jazz artist of multiple genres, composer and bandleader. He studied for a time at UCLA and CalArts, but remained somewhat obscure before leading the studio-formed contemporary jazz band The Rippingtons in 1986. Freeman and his manager, Andi Howard, also formed...
& Andi Howard in GRP RecordsGRP RecordsGRP Records is an American jazz record company, owned by Universal Music Group and operates through its Verve Music Group. The company's name has had different meanings. In its early days, it stood for "Grusin/Rosen Productions," after the founders...
. - 1997 Peak transferred to Windham Hill RecordsWindham Hill RecordsWindham Hill Records is a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment specializing in Acoustic, New Age and Folk music. Originally founded in 1976 as an Independent record label by guitarist and carpenter William Ackerman and his then-wife Anne Robinson, Windham Hill was a successful and well-respected...
. - 2000 Peak transferred to Concord RecordsConcord RecordsConcord Records is a U.S. record label now based in Beverly Hills, California. Originally known as Concord Jazz, it was established in 1972 as an off-shoot of the Concord Jazz Festival in Concord, California by festival founder Carl Jefferson, a local automobile dealer and jazz fan who sold his...
.
Peak's first recording was "Time Slipping By" from Mark Williamson in 1994, and "Sahara" by Russ Freeman and the Rippingtons.
During the late 1990s, Peak became a fully self-sufficient independent label under Windham Hill/RCA, and the Rippingtons' released "Black Diamond" to commemorate the then 10-year anniversary of the group.
When the label became part of Concord Records, Peak signed saxophonists Paul Taylor and Eric Marienthal, and the song-stylist Regina Belle to the label as well as vocalist Phil Perry, who has since shifted to Shanachie.
In 2001 sophisticated vocalist Ms. Belle released "This Is Regina", which went gold and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Soul/R & B Vocal.
Early on, the label put out the Rippingtons' second live recording called "Live! Across America" in 2002 and an album from critically acclaimed saxophonist Gato Barbieri called "The Shadow Of The Cat."
Former American Idol contestant LaToya London came out with an album on Peak Records in September 2005 called "Love and Life."
Others who have put forth product on the label include former Ambrosia vocalist David Pack and Denver-based contemporary jazz act Dotsero.
In 2004 another big hit in Contemporary Jazz, "Lazy Afternoon", came from the classy chanteuse Belle.The album made # 9 on the Billboard Smooth Jazz.
In the middle of the decade, Howard and the label became very aggressive in signing talent, bringing David Benoit in 2004, Lee Ritenour (2005), Gerald Albright (2006), Will Downing, Paul Brown, Norman Brown, Peabo Bryson and Marc Antoine (the last five all in 2007).
In 2006, Peak released the Rippingtons' "20th Anniversary Celebration," which also included a commemorative 25-minute DVD. The CD included new hit songs "Bingo Jingo," "City of Angels," "Costa Del Sol," and "Anything," which also featured singer/songwriter Brian McKnight.
During the summer of 2007, Peak Records' artists Paul Brown and Norman Brown both rocketed to No. 1 on the smooth jazz chart from Radio and Records magazine. The label also released the debut of Marc Antoine called "Hi-Lo Split."
For the fall of 2007, Peak Records will be releasing a new CDs from Eric Marienthal called "Just Around the Corner," Peabo Bryson's "Missing You" and Will Downing's label debut "After Tonight."
In the winter of 2008, new saxophone talent Jessy J released her debut recording on the label titled, "Tequila Moon." In addition, saxophonist Mindi Abair signed to a deal and her debut will came out in May 2008, a work titled "Stars."
In early 2008, Peak Records signed Grammy-nominated keyboardist and composer Jeff Lorber, with his debut expected to be released on Sept. 30, called "Heard That." Vocalist Leigh Jones also signed to the label, during a ceremony in mid-March.
In the latter stages of 2008, it was announced multi-talented Wayne Brady had joined Peak and would release his debut, "A Long Time Coming," on Sept. 16, which featured the hot radio single, "Ordinary."
Peak also signed acoustic guitarist/accordion player Peter White and early-1990s vocal supergroup All-4-One for projects to be released in 2009.
Two mainstays of the contemporary jazz record business also work behind the scenes for Peak in Mark Wexler and Deborah Lewow.
Current Artists Signed to Peak
- Russ Freeman
- The RippingtonsThe RippingtonsThe Rippingtons are a contemporary group mainly relating to the genres Smooth jazz, Jazz pop, and Crossover jazz. Formed in 1986 by guitarist and band leader Russ Freeman , their career has spanned two decades...
- Gerald AlbrightGerald AlbrightGerald Albright is an American jazz saxophonist.Albright has sold over 1,000,000 albums in the U.S. alone. His self-produced music features him on bass guitar, keyboards, flutes, drum programming, and background vocals.- Biography :...
- All-4-OneAll-4-OneAll-4-One is a male R&B/pop group best known for their cover hit single "I Swear" from their self-titled 1994 debut album. The group comprises Jamie Jones, Delious Kennedy, Alfred Nevarez, and Tony Borowiak, all from the Antelope Valley and Mojave, California areas, but are based in the Los Angeles...
- Marc AntoineMarc AntoineMarc Antoine is a jazz fusion guitarist. Marc currently resides in Madrid, Spain. His guitar play style is based on Roma music.-Early life:...
- Regina BelleRegina BelleRegina Belle is a singer-songwriter who first surfaced in the late 1980s. She is notable for her Grammy award winning duet with Peabo Bryson, "A Whole New World".-Biography:Regina Belle was born in Englewood, New Jersey...
- David Benoit
- Wayne BradyWayne BradyWayne Alphonso Brady is an actor, singer, comedian and television personality, known for his work as a regular on the American version of the improvisational comedy television series Whose Line Is It Anyway?, and as the host of the daytime talk show The Wayne Brady Show...
- Norman BrownNorman BrownNorman Brown may refer to:* W. Norman Brown , Indologist and Sanskritist* Norman O. Brown , author* Norman E. Brown, sports editor of the Central Press Association* Norman Brown...
- Paul Brown (musician)
- Peabo BrysonPeabo BrysonPeabo Bryson is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter, born in Greenville, South Carolina...
- Will DowningWill DowningWill Downing , is an American singer-songwriter and producer. Downing is known in the contemporary jazz and R&B music genres for his rich baritone vocals, and his interpretations of R&B and pop classics that stretch back to the early 1980s...
- Jessy JJessy JJessy J is an American musician in the contemporary jazz music genre.- Biography :...
- Leigh Jones
- Jeff LorberJeff LorberJeff Lorber is an American Grammy Award-nominated keyboardist, composer, and record producer.After leading his own group, The Jeff Lorber Fusion, he went on to pioneer the smooth jazz genre....
- Eric MarienthalEric MarienthalEric Marienthal is a Los Angeles-based contemporary saxophonist best known for his work in the jazz, jazz fusion, smooth jazz, and pop genres....
- Chanté MooreChanté MooreChanté Moore is an American R&B and jazz singer.-Biography:Born to a gospel minister, she grew up singing in the church and was heavily influenced by the music of George Duke and Lee Ritenour. While in high school, she decided to make a career of singing...
- Lee RitenourLee RitenourLee Mack Ritenour is an American jazz guitarist who has recorded over 42 albums, appeared on over 3000 sessions, and has charted over 30 instrumental and vocal contemporary jazz hits since 1976. One of his most popular songs was the smash hit, “Is It You” in 1981. Ritenour is considered to be a...
- Paul TaylorPaul Taylor (musician)Paul Taylor is an American smooth jazz saxophonist who has released eight albums since his debut On the Horn in 1995. He is signed to Peak Records. Although originally from Denver, Colorado, he is based in Las Vegas, Nevada...
- Peter White (musician)Peter White (musician)Peter White is a smooth jazz and jazz fusion guitarist. He also plays the accordion and the piano. His brother, Danny White, was one of the original members who formed the UK based band Matt Bianco.-Career:...