Saturday June 28, 2008     4:00pm

Seems like just yesterday. The Rippingtons, founded in 1986 by Grammy-nominated guitarist Russ Freeman, celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2006.

The band has enjoyed tremendous success from the beginning, with their groundbreaking album "Moonlighting", which Jazziz magazine voted to be the #1 Most Influential Contemporary Jazz Album of all time.

The Rippingtons have had several number one Billboard-charting albums, and also won several Oasis Awards, including awarded Group Of The Year by the Oasis Awards, both in 2001 and 2002, as well as Achievement In Video, 1999.

Early personnel included David Benoit, Kenny G, Brandon Fields, and Gregg Karukas. Special guest stars have included Arturo Sandoval, Abita, Willy Chirino, Dave Grusin, Joe Sample, Dave Koz, Bob James, Ozomatli, Kirk Whalum, Chante Moore and David Benoit... the list goes on. Present band lineup includes Jeff Kashiwa, Steve Reid, Kim Stone, Bill Heller, Dave Karasony, and Russ Freeman.

This respected group has gained a worldwide fan base. Their latest CD, "20th Anniversary", has reached #1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart, but they aren't slowing down!

Check out this video from The Rippington's live performance.

Randy Villars is a classically trained saxophonist and pianist whose focus is jazz and pop performing, composing, and recording.

Randy has composed, arranged, produced, and played on many commercial music tracks for clients such as IBM, Kodak, KFC International, and McDonald's.

His saxophone work has been heard on the TV shows Guiding Light, As The World Turns, Another World, Lifestyles of The Rich and Famous, and Riviera.

He has composed film scores for Time-Life which were broadcast on A & E.

Randy has appeared as a session player on CBS and PolyGram Records. Randy has released three CDS as a solo artist: Levels (1996 Leviathan Records), Awakening (1996 Positive Music Records), and Every Moment (2001 Positive Music Records).

His playing experience includes performances or recording work with Sonny Stitt, Eddie Harris, James Moody, John Scofield, Tim Hagans, Ira Sullivan, Mulgrew Miller, Fred Hersch, John Fedchock, Mike Davis, Greg Abate, Bootsy Collins, Fred Wesley, Ramsey Lewis, Steve Turre, Andy Narell, Warren Hill, and The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, among others.

Randy is now the senior composer/producer for a new music production company based in Dayton, Ohio called Greene Glen Productions.