One of the most successful smooth jazz saxophonists, Jeff Kashiwa made his name as a member of the popular group the Rippingtons. Starting out on the clarinet at age ten, it would be two years before the Seattle-born musician switched to saxophone. Influenced early on by such smooth jazz progenitors as Chuck Mangione and Spyro Gyra, Kashiwa eventually moved to Boston to attend Berklee College and developed an interest in straight-ahead jazz -- a skill that often colors his live performances. His hard work paid off when he landed the second alto chair in Disney's All American College Band. Kashiwa found he liked Southern California and transferred to Cal State Long Beach to work on his Bachelors of Music. During this time he toured with the ska/reggae group the Untouchables performing on MTV's first Spring Break. Later, while working at a grocery store by day and playing at night, Kashiwa hired bassist Steve Bailey -- then with the Rippingtons -- to play on a gig. Bailey introduced Kashima to the Rippingtons' pianist and leader Russ Freeman who hired Kashiwa in 1989 when the group's original saxophonist Brandon Fields left the group. It was during this time with the Rippingtons that Kashiwa recorded two solo albums, Remember Catalina in 1995 and Walk a Mile in 1997. Then, in 1999, he left the Rippingtons to concentrate more energy on his own band, Coastal Access. ~ Matt Collar, All Music Guide