Richard Elliot - Ballads (2001)

Richard Elliot (born January 16, 1960 in Glasgow) is an American saxophonist.
Although Elliot was born in the Scottish Highlands, he moved to Los Angeles when he was three years old. He was fascinated by rhythm and blues music.

Elliot began his career as a member of the jazz-rock band KittyHawk, using a lyricon, a wind synthesizer, and saxophone, and recorded several albums with them. He then joined the funk band Tower of Power, where he played tenor saxophone for five years. He also performed as a member of the Yellowjackets. He worked on Stacy Lattisaw's 1986 album "Take Me All the Way".

His solo career began when he re-recorded the Percy Sledge classic "When a Man Loves a Woman" - which was also covered by Michael Bolton.

Other well-known songs include "In the Groove", "Take Your Time", "Crush", "Chill Factor", "Corner Pocket", and "Sly", as well as covers of classic pop songs such as "I'm Not in Love", and Luther Vandross' hits "Here and Now" and "Your Secret Love".

Elliot, along with saxophonists Paul Taylor and Gerald Albright, and keyboardist Jeff Lorber, participated in the "Grooving for Grover" concert series, a tribute to the late Grover Washington, Jr.

In 2005, Elliot teamed up with trumpeter Rick Braun to form their own label, Artistry Music. Elliot was featured on several songs on the Yellowjackets' 1983 album Mirage a Trois.

Elliot is also known for his zebra-striped, or checkered, tenor saxophone.

This album features a selection of ballads from nine albums released between 1988 and 1999.