Kurt Ribak - short bio

Kurt Ribak – Bassist / Bandleader / Songwriter


When Kurt Ribak (pronounced REE-bok, like the shoes) was four years old his mother found him dancing to the sound of the dishwasher.  Other early musical experiences include playing ‘cello and singing in the San Francisco Boys Chorus (with the Kurt Ribak Trio’s Lincoln Adler), performing with the San Francisco Symphony and Opera.  Kurt studied at UC Berkeley and won scholarships to Berklee College of Music, where he graduated summa cum laude.

 

Ribak’s band features his own compositions.  He describes his music as “Charles Mingus meets The Meters.”  People often point to influences in Kurt’s vocal numbers by Jon Hendricks, Mose Allison, and Dave Frishberg.

 

Kurt’s led his band at the Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse, San Francisco Jazz Festival, SFJAZZ, Yoshi’s, San Jose Jazz Festival, Nor-Cal Jazz Festival, Fillmore Street Jazz Festival, Blue Note Napa, and others, including a club where Kurt discovered a loaded .45 handgun someone stashed in his bass bag.  He’s shared the stage with circus performers, preachers and fire-breathing strippers - but never all three at once. 


In June 2012 Kurt was in an auto accident, seriously injuring his left hand and forearm.  Thirteen operations and five years later he has resumed playing, much to the surprise of some of his surgeons.  Kurt notes, “When I was hurt I learned how many people loved me, cared about me.  That really helped me recover."

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 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.

longer bio and band info

gig info

press kit page

home page and recordings