Richard Elliot
Encyclopedia
Richard Elliot is a Scottish
-born saxophone
player.
He was a member of the funk band Tower of Power
playing tenor sax for 5 years during the 1980s. He also worked on Stacy Lattisaw's 1986 album "Take Me All The Way". His solo career took off when he remade the Percy Sledge
classic "When a Man Loves a Woman" (which had also been remade by Michael Bolton
). Other well-known songs include "In the Groove," "Take Your Time," "Crush," "Chill Factor," "Corner Pocket," and "Sly", as well as remakes of classic pop songs like "I'm Not in Love" and the Luther Vandross
hits "Here and Now" and "Your Secret Love."
Elliot participated with fellow saxophonists Paul Taylor
, Gerald Albright
and keyboardist Jeff Lorber
in the "Grooving for Grover" concert series. The series honored the legacy of the late Grover Washington, Jr.
, who was a founding father of smooth jazz
.
Elliot is known for his zebra-striped tenor saxophone.
In 2005, Elliot joined trumpeter Rick Braun
as they co-founded their own label, ARTizen Music Group (now known as Artistry Music). Among the first albums on that label is Elliot's own, Metro Blue.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
-born saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
player.
He was a member of the funk band Tower of Power
Tower of Power
Tower of Power is an American R&B-based horn section and band, originating in Oakland, California, that has been performing for over 43 years. They are best known for their funky soul sound highlighted by a powerful horn section...
playing tenor sax for 5 years during the 1980s. He also worked on Stacy Lattisaw's 1986 album "Take Me All The Way". His solo career took off when he remade the Percy Sledge
Percy Sledge
Percy Sledge is an American R&B and soul performer who recorded the hit "When a Man Loves a Woman" in 1966.-Early career:...
classic "When a Man Loves a Woman" (which had also been remade by Michael Bolton
Michael Bolton
Michael Bolton is an American singer and songwriter. Bolton originally performed in the hard rock and heavy metal genres from the mid 1970s to the mid 1980s, both on his early solo albums and those recorded as the frontman of the band Blackjack...
). Other well-known songs include "In the Groove," "Take Your Time," "Crush," "Chill Factor," "Corner Pocket," and "Sly", as well as remakes of classic pop songs like "I'm Not in Love" and the Luther Vandross
Luther Vandross
Luther Ronzoni Vandross was an American singer-songwriter and record producer. During his career, Vandross sold over twenty-five million albums and won eight Grammy Awards including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance four times...
hits "Here and Now" and "Your Secret Love."
Elliot participated with fellow saxophonists Paul Taylor
Paul 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...
, Gerald Albright
Gerald Albright
Gerald 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 :...
and keyboardist Jeff Lorber
Jeff Lorber
Jeff 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....
in the "Grooving for Grover" concert series. The series honored the legacy of the late Grover Washington, Jr.
Grover Washington, Jr.
Grover Washington, Jr. was an American jazz-funk / soul-jazz saxophonist. Along with George Benson, John Klemmer, David Sanborn, Bob James, Chuck Mangione, Herb Alpert, and Spyro Gyra, he is considered by many to be one of the founders of the smooth jazz genre.He wrote some of his material and...
, who was a founding father of smooth jazz
Smooth jazz
Smooth jazz is a genre of music that grew out of jazz fusion and is influenced by R&B, funk, rock, and pop music styles ....
.
Elliot is known for his zebra-striped tenor saxophone.
In 2005, Elliot joined trumpeter Rick Braun
Rick Braun
Rick Braun is a smooth jazz trumpet player.Before embarking on a solo career, Braun got his start by playing in several bands, including guitarist Jeff Golub's Avenue Blue...
as they co-founded their own label, ARTizen Music Group (now known as Artistry Music). Among the first albums on that label is Elliot's own, Metro Blue.
Discography
- Trolltown (1986)
- Initial Approach (1987)
- Power of Suggestion (1988)
- Take to the Skies (1989)
- What's Inside (1990)
- On the Town (1991)
- Soul Embrace (1993)
- After Dark (1994)
- City Speak (1996)
- Jumpin' Off (1997)
- Chill Factor (1999)
- The Best of Richard Elliot (2000)
- Ballads (2001)
- Crush (2001)
- Ricochet (2003)
- Forever, For Always, For Luther (compilation with various artists) (2004)
- Metro Blue (2005)
- R n R (with Rick BraunRick BraunRick Braun is a smooth jazz trumpet player.Before embarking on a solo career, Braun got his start by playing in several bands, including guitarist Jeff Golub's Avenue Blue...
) (2007) - Rock Steady (2009)
- In the Zone (2011)