If you are one of the lucky ones, you can recall a moment in time when a portal to an entire new world was opened for you, and a fire was lit within. For Richard Elliot, that moment was when his sister, ten years his senior, took a leap of faith and invited him to listen to her record collection. The only caveat was that he takes good care of her records and puts them back where they belong. Elliot not only took good care of the music, but the music has been taking care of him for over four decades. The chart-topping Grammy-nominated saxophonist recalls, “My sister had everything from Joni Mitchel, Carlos Santana and Dave Brubeck to Smokey Robinson, The Temptations and The Four Tops. I got a chance to be exposed at a young age to a lot of great music.” That inspiration ran deep, and Elliot went on to work with all three of the aforementioned Motown legends. His enviable credits also include a five-year stint with the funk and soul horns of Tower of Power, and when he was just a lad, he worked with Natalie Cole and the Pointer Sisters. A man of many talents, Elliot, who once moonlighted as a software engineer, is also a pilot. In fact, the saxman is in the process of building his own two-seat plane in his garage. On September 6, 2024, the Scottish-born, LA-raised, and San Diego-based renaissance man will release his 21st recording as a leader, Straight Up Down, on Shanachie Entertainment. He shares, “I feel incredibly fortunate that I am allowed to do this as a career and even more grateful that I have been able to do it for as long as I have. It’s a lot about being honest and truthful in my music and never taking it a l for granted.” Elliot provides maximum cruise control on Straight Up Down, an inspired collection of nine tracks, eight of which are originals. The album’s solid and a luring material shines a light on Richard Elliot’s signature soulful and bluesy approach, which seamlessly combines his technical prowess and unbridled passion with the finer elements of Jazz, Blues, Pop, R&B, and Rock. Straight Up Down opens with the winning new single “Very Delicious,” a sumptuous and spirited affair reminiscent of the bluesy soul of John Handy’s 1970s hit “Hard Work.” The selection of “Very Delicious” as an album opener is perfect as Elliot’s supple and agile tenor lines twist and turn to delight, elevating the mood and urging you to join in and clap along. “When Jeff Carruthers sent me the track,” he explains, “what I set out to do was come up with a melody that was kind of more hooky. The song is a bit nostalgic, and I love things that are nostalgic. I always feel that it’s important to pay homage to what came before us and to choose vibes, grooves, and melody lines that speak to where the genre started.” “Driftin’,” not to be confused with Herbie Hancock’s composition, is a sultry mid-tempo affair that showcases Elliot’s stunning tone dancing alongside an oscillating groove propelled by drummer Trevor Lawrence and percussionist Lenny Castro.
The track was produced and mixed by labelmate and fellow tenor man, Euge Groove, who also produced and mixed “Very Delicious.” “Euge and I have been friends for decades,” Richard shares. Before he did any solo work, he was the person that I recommended to take my place in Tower of Power, and because of that, we have a real connection and history together.” Straight Up Down is the first time Euge and Elliot have worked on a record together. Elliot adds, “We had just a great time working together, and this was a very special collaboration for me.”
Straight Up Down also features the captivating “Double Trouble,” co-written with Shane Theriot, who is featured on keys, bass, guitar, and drums. Elliot reflects, “It’s a bit retro and has the vibe of the old CTI recordings where it’s about establishing a mood and keeping the melodies very lyrical and straightforward while at the same time remaining a bit minimalistic.” The album’s title track is inspired by Richard’s motto to keep it real and live authentically. It is also a word play on the terms “straight up” and to be “down,” which both infer being truthful or emphatically in agreement. “I am inspired to play and create music by everything, including what is going on in my life, society, or my community. I just try to be sincere,” he explains. The album’s title track, produced by guitarist and labelmate Paul Brown (who plays percussion on the track), is a standout with its gorgeous, crisp melody, air-tight groove, and slick chord changes anchored by Jeff Carruthers on keys, guitar, and drums and Roberto Valley on the bass.
Straight Up Down features one lone cover, “Tell Me If You Still Care About Me,” featuring the masterful arranging and production of Kevin Flournoy. The Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis song was a Top Five Billboard hit in 1983. “I have always been a big fan of The S.O.S. Band and an extremely big fan of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. When that band came out, they had a unique sound that didn’t sound like anyone else,” shares Elliot. “High Tide” is another sublime collaboration between Elliot and Paul Brown. Their unbounded joy and telepathic interplay are undeniable. Richard explains, “Paul and I have a history that goes back decades. When it’s the right collaboration, you have a comfort level where you anticipate each other’s moves. At the same time, a good producer pushes you out of your comfort zone, and I think that’s what’s nice about working with Paul.” The dazzling “Beautiful” is a tribute to Elliot’s wife, Camella. “I always dedicate at least one song to her on every record,” he shares. “The song makes me visualize a beautiful sunset and watching the day come to an end as I look up at the sunset, exhaling.” Straight Up Down also showcases the laidback but snappy swinger “Freestyle” and “As the Day Fades,” which brings Elliot’s thrilling sonic journey to a conclusion as he floats out atop a funky R&B groove.
“Dexter (Gordon) is still my guy. I was around 18 years old when I went to a club called Concerts by the Sea in Los Angeles. It was truly a life-changing moment for me,” shares Richard Elliot. “This big man came out on stage with this low voice and this huge tenor sound. I had already been playing for a few years, but when I heard him, I thought to myself, ‘I’m doomed. I will never ever come up with a sound anywhere near this guy.’ It really was life-changing to hear him play.” Inspired by Dexter and the likes of other tenor legends like Johnny Griffin, Gene Ammons, Coleman Hawkins, Grover Washington Jr., and Michael Brecker, Richard Elliot has managed to carve out his own niche out of his rich caldron of influences.
Richard Elliot has scored more than 20 Top 10 Smooth Jazz singles and #1 Contemporary Jazz albums. His debut solo album, Trolltown, was released in 1986, and shortly thereafter, he began a fruitful relationship with Bruce Lundvall and was signed to Blue Note Records. A few of his other standout releases include 2016’s Summer Madness albums, including On The Town, Soul Embrace, After Dark, and Jumpin’ Off. His 2013 collaboration with saxophonists Dave Koz, Gerald Albright, and Mindi Abair was Summer Horns. Elliot’s last recorded Authentic Life was released in 2021 and joined together an A-list line-up including Rick Braun, Dave Koz, Jeff Lorber, Chris “Big Dog” Davis, Philippe Saisse, and. David Mann, the ultimate family man, Richard Elliot confides, “I love spending time with my family. My wife and I have five children, and it is a joy watching them pursue their careers and their lives.” He is also a self-proclaimed foodie. He and his wife Camella enjoy the pursuit of discovering new places to eat.
Richard and his wife also run a foundation that donates to worthy causes that benefit youth and young adults, including the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, St. Jude's, and the San Diego area dance organization Transcendence. With the release of Straight Up Down, Elliot concludes, “If there are a few people out there that enjoy or feel impacted or moved by what I do, then I feel like I’ve accomplished something. If my music affects them in a positive way, then I am happy.”
