Kurt Ribak - short bio

Kurt Ribak – Bassist / Bandleader / Songwriter


Kurt 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's albums feature his own compositions, which are original yet accessible.  


Kurt met pianist Greg Sankovich while both attended UC Berkeley's UC Jazz Ensembles.  Kurt reconnected there with fellow San Francisco Boys Chorus alumnus, saxophonist Lincoln Adler.   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 won scholarships to Berklee College of Music.  He spent many hours mastering the styles of bassists Paul Chambers, Ray Brown, and Charles Mingus and graduated with top honors.  There he 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 has shared the stage with circus performers, preachers and fire-breathing strippers, but never all three at once.  He has 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 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 get back to playing."

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 SFJAZZHis 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.

longer bio and band info

gig info

press kit page

home page and recordings