Kurt Ribak

When Kurt Ribak (pronounced REE-bok, like the shoes) was about four years old his mother found him dancing to the sound of the dishwasher.  More conventional early musical experiences included playing ‘cello and singing in the San Francisco Boys Chorus, which performed with the San Francisco Symphony and Opera.

While attending UC Berkeley, Kurt met keyboardist Greg Sankovich and reconnected with his fellow San Francisco Boys Chorus alumnus, saxophonist Lincoln Adler.  Kurt continues to play with Greg and Lincoln.   Greg and Lincoln co-produced his last two records, "I Got One More!" and "ONWARD"  - his fifth recording as a leader. 

After a battle with tendinitis, Kurt was a scholarship student at Berklee College of Music, where he graduated with top honors.  He spent many hours transcribing and absorbing the styles of bassists Paul Chambers, Ray Brown, and Charles Mingus.  While at Berklee Kurt learned he loved composition and songwriting.  Early tunes reflect a strong Thelonious Monk influence, while others reflect his love of the great bassist/composer/bandleader Charles Mingus.  Later tunes bring to mind Horace Silver, Lee Morgan, and the South African composer Abdullah Ibrahim. 

Kurt's band features his own compositions.  He says what he’s trying for in his music is “Charles Mingus meets The Meters.  They go to Duke Ellington’s house to jam, and Cachao and Thelonious Monk sit in.” 

Kurt has shared the stage with circus performers, preachers and fire-breathing strippers, but never all three at once.  He's performed in venues ranging from Yoshi's to a club where someone stashed a loaded .45 in his bass bag.

In June 2012 Kurt was in an auto accident, seriously injuring his left hand and forearm.  Thirteen operations later he has resumed playing, much to the surprise of some surgeons.  Kurt notes, “When I was hurt I learned how many people loved me, cared about me.  They say it takes a village to raise a child.  It also takes a community to heal someone.” 

Kurt's recordings are played on KCSM-FM, KPFA, KZSC, KZFR, KKUP, San Diego's Jazz 88, PRI and other jazz stations.  He leads his group at venues throughout the greater San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, including sold-out appearances at Yoshi’s and SFJAZZ.  His group has also performed at the Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse, San Francisco Jazz Festival, San Jose Jazz Festival, Nor-Cal Jazz Festival, Fillmore Street Jazz Festival, and Blue Note Napa.  Kurt was honored in 2022 as "Alumnus of the Year" by the San /Francisco Boys' Chorus.

Kurt's newest recording, "ONWARD" is available via Songwhip, which links to the major streaming platforms.   You can hear samples, stream music, and/or buy downloads.  It is played on KCSM-FM, KPFA and other jazz stations and was featured on PRI's "Jazz After Hours." 
Kurt's previous recording, "I Got One More!" also enjoys airplay on KCSM and other jazz stations and was featured on PRI's "Jazz After Hours."  It was on DJ lists of best jazz recordings of the year, including Bradley Stone of The Creative Source and Michael Burman of KCSM-FM. 


Gig info: http://www.ribak.com/gigs.html

CD info
 You can also purchase the CDs at http://www.afm6.org/cdstore.htm  and at amazon.com.  They are available for download at emusic.com, iTunes, and other major download sites.  You can also buy the CDs at Bird & Beckett Books & Records, 653 Chenery, San Francisco,  CA,  Groove Yard, 5555 Claremont Avenue Oakland, CA 94618 and at Down Home Music, 10341 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530.


Contact: Kurt Ribak

Phone: 510 703-7035

e-mail: kurt@ribak.com

Members of the band:

photo: Lisa Solook

GREG SANKOVICH, piano, organ and keyboards was born in 1960 and was raised in the East Bay area of San Francisco. After showing attraction to piano as a child, he began his keyboard journey with classical training from age 6. His parents' interest in dance and popular music inspired Greg's feel for music that moves people, so his inclination from an early age was towards rhythmically-oriented music.

He went on to study with the finest jazz and latin pianists and educators in the San Francisco area including Al Zulaica, Mark Levine, and Art Lande. From 13 years old Greg was busy in the SF bay area with local jazz, club and dance bands, and was an active member of the UC Berkeley Jazz Ensembles, highlighted by concert tours in Japan and Europe.

After graduation, Greg moved to Tokyo where he lived for over ten years, performing with a long list of top Japanese artists. Greg has contributed his sound to an eclectic range of musical talent from jazz to R&B, hiphop to pop. He has performed and recorded music on over 25 record labels, and has produced music for TV, radio, and film. Currently, Greg performs regularly in the SF Bay Area with his 10+ year jazz-funk project Times 4, who have four CDs, bassist Kurt Ribak's jazz groups, an R&B buddy band since his teens the Blue Sky Band, and many other musically diverse freelance projects.



 Lincoln Alder Photo
LINCOLN ADLER, Saxophones.  Lincoln started playing various musical instruments at the age of 5, eventually being drawn to the saxophone in high school. Lincoln became fascinated by the power of music to communicate feelings across the boundaries of 
language and culture. He developed his sound playing in Bay Area bands and refined his abilities at the University of California,  Berkeley as a member of the UC Jazz Ensembles.

Lincoln studied with legendary saxophonist Joe Henderson and local hero Hal Stein. In Los Angeles he became an in-demand session player and composer/producer for TV and film. He released four albums under his own name as well as one with the L.A. based Rain-bo Tribe, and two with Times 4.

Lincoln has performed and recorded with actor/pianist Jeff Goldblum, The Jets, kd lang, and Olivia Newton John.  Lincoln plays regularly with Kurt Ribak and is a member of jazz-funk group Times 4, including multiple appearances at both Yoshi's Nightspots.  His musical influences include Sonny Rollins, Johnny Griffin, Grover Washington Jr., Stanley Turrentine, Gustav Mahler and Meshell Ndegeocello.