CD and Downloads
You can buy the Kurt Ribak Trio CD online at CDBaby, at Musicians Union Local 6, and at Tower Records online. You can also buy the CD at Down Home Music, 10341 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA, and at Groove Yard, 5555 Claremont Avenue Oakland, CA 94618. Go to my CD page for more info.
You can download the Kurt Ribak Trio recording at iTunes and emusic.com, as well as elsewhere. We've been getting some attention at emusic - the recording is rated four out of five stars. You can do a trial membership for cheap, and recordings are way cheaper to download at emusic than with iTunes.
The Next Kurt Ribak Trio CD
We plan to have the next CD out late this summer or early fall. We're still working on the art and packaging.
Live downloads
You can go to http://www.BayTaper.com to download our July 2, 2006 show at the Fillmore Jazz Festival. There are also some excellent photos there.
T-Shirts
Kurt Ribak Trio t-shirts are in. These are a seven-color print on Hanes Beefy-T shirts, so these are a quality product. These echo the artwork of the first CD. They are black, with the three-colored hand on the front and the words "Kurt Ribak Trio" on the back. They come in women's sizes and cut from small to XL and men's from small to XXL. e-mail me at: kurt@ribak.com
if you would like to buy a shirt, or catch up with me at a gig.
Check them out here. Drummer Tim Solook and his wife Lisa are modeling them at our Fillmore Jazz Festival gig.
Radio Interview, profile and bio
Michael Burman, the KCSM-FM announcer, wrote a nice profile of Kurt and the Kurt Ribak Trio CD and personnel. We've also uploaded bios of Kurt, Greg Sankovich, and Tim Solook. The Kurt Ribak Trio CD has enjoyed repeated airplay on KCSM.
NOTE: Gigs are often added, canceled, or rescheduled at the last minute. Personnel may also change between the listing of an event and the performance. You are welcome to call or e-mail me to confirm performance details. The gigs below are an incomplete list and do not include private engagements or recording sessions.
Friday, July 28, 7:00 to 10:00
PM - and every Friday
Kurt Ribak Trio - original jazz -
Prima Ristorante
http://www.primaristorante.com/
1522 N. Main Street, Walnut Creek, CA
Every Friday, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
All ages
Greg Sankovich will be on piano, with Tim Solook on drums. Tip - to best hear the band you should have drinks in the bar or make a dinner reservation in the bar.
Friday, August 4, 7:00 to 10:00
PM - and every Friday
Kurt Ribak Trio - original jazz -
Prima Ristorante
http://www.primaristorante.com/
1522 N. Main Street, Walnut Creek, CA
Every Friday, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
All ages
Tip - to best hear the band you should have drinks in the bar or make a dinner reservation in the bar. Greg Sankovich is on piano, with Matt Willis on drums.
Saturday, August 5, 8:00 to 9:00
PM
Kurt Ribak Trio - original jazz -
Lick Observatory
http://www.ucolick.org/public/music.html
Mt. Hamilton, CA
doors open 7:30, concert at 8 PM
ticket info, directions, and more
This is part of the Music of the Spheres program at the Observatory. The trio will be me on bass, Greg Sankovich on keyboards, and Tim Solook on drums. Listen to us for an hour, then check out the observatory. The Observatory is about an hour east of San Jose. As the Observatory website says,
Sun., August 6, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM - and the first Sunday of every month
Kurt Ribak Trio - Original jazz
Chaya Brasserie
http://www.thechaya.com/
location & info
132 The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 777-8688
Chaya is known for its "Japanese-inspired French cuisine." The food and service are outstanding, they have some very nice wines, and they have some great views of the Bay Bridge. They also have a specially priced menu at the bar while we are playing, so you can drink and dine on a smaller budget than Chaya normally requires. The trio will be me on bass, Fred Harris on keyboards, and Tim Solook on drums. Fred and I used to play together at Club Deluxe with Khevan Lennon-Onaje. Fred is a real powerhouse on piano, and fine drummer, and a great guy
Come check us out - there's not much other jazz happening on a Sunday night, and this is an interesting new version of my band. At Chaya we play a harder-hitting, more driving style than at Prima. Between that and the electronic keyboards Greg brings to Chaya (they have no piano), the band sounds very different here.
Friday, August 11, noon to 1:00
PM
Kurt Ribak Quintet - Original jazz
101 California - x. Davis St., near Market
San Francisco,
CA
free outdoor show - all ages
This will be a rare appearance of my quintet, which will feature Hal Richards on woodwinds and noted local trombonist Kevin Porter. Johannes Mager, the regular trombonist for the quintet, had a schedule conflict. The rest of the group is me on bass, Greg Sankovich on keys and Tim Solook on drums. If you work in the Financial District this should be a pretty easy gig to make - it's during most people's lunch time, and it's a free outdoor show in the Financial District. It's part of the Market Street Association's People in Plazas series.
Friday, August 11, 7:00 to 10:00
PM - and every Friday
Kurt Ribak Trio - original jazz -
Prima Ristorante
http://www.primaristorante.com/
1522 N. Main Street, Walnut Creek, CA
Every Friday, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
All ages
Tip - to best hear the band you should have drinks in the bar or make a dinner reservation in the bar. Greg Sankovich is on piano, with Matt Willis on drums.
Sun., August 13, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM - and the first Sunday of every month
Kurt Ribak Trio - Original jazz
Chaya Brasserie
http://www.thechaya.com/
location & info
132 The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 777-8688
Here's a shot of the band taken from the bar at Chaya. Tim Solook is on drums. Yep, that's Kurt on bass.
Yes - this month we are playing twice at Chaya, so you have two opportunities to see us here. Chaya is known for its "Japanese-inspired French cuisine." The food and service are outstanding, they have some very nice wines, and they have some great views of the Bay Bridge. They also have a specially priced menu at the bar while we are playing, so you can drink and dine on a smaller budget than Chaya normally requires. The trio will be me on bass, Greg Sankovich on keyboards, and Tim Solook on drums.
Come check us out - there's not much other jazz happening on a Sunday night, and this is an interesting new version of my band. At Chaya we play a harder-hitting, more driving style than at Prima. Between that and the electronic keyboards Greg brings to Chaya (they have no piano), the band sounds very different here.
Wed., August 16 - 6 to 9 PM
Hal Richards / Kurt Ribak duo
Pasta Pomodoro
181 Ranch Drive
Milpitas, CA 95035
tel: (408) 582-0160
all ages
free
I regularly play with Hal in my own group. Here we'll do my tunes, some standards, and maybe some classical stuff. If you live in the South Bay this is an easy way to hear us - besides, the food's good. According to Pasta Pomodoro, they are "conveniently located in the McCarthy Ranch Shopping Center (near Wal-Mart)."
Friday, August 18, 7:00 to 10:00
PM - and every Friday
Kurt Ribak Trio - original jazz -
Prima Ristorante
http://www.primaristorante.com/
1522 N. Main Street, Walnut Creek, CA
Every Friday, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
All ages
Tip - to best hear the band you should have drinks in the bar or make a dinner reservation in the bar. Fred Harris is on piano, with Tim Solook on drums. Fred is definitely worth checking out. He's like some wild mix of Liszt, Chopin, McCoy Tyner, and Bernie Worrell.
Saturday, August 19, 9:30 PM to 12:30 AM
Kurt Ribak Quartet - original jazz
The Albatross
1822 San Pablo Avenue (two blocks
north of University, west side of the street)
Berkeley, CA 94710
510-843-2473 (510-THE-BIRD)
http://www.albatrosspub.com/
21 and over
$3.00 Cover charge
The Albatross (aka The Bird) has been around since 1964. Current owners Wendy Halambeck and Linda Zsilavetz did a wonderful job of revitalizing the place without losing the charm it had. There are lots of board games available, lots of room for darts, a nice fireplace in the back, and food. It's a very friendly comfortable place. They now have a hard liquor license, so it is a great place to have a single malt scotch or the like. The band will be me on bass, Hal Richards on woodwinds, Tyler Blanton on vibes, and Otto Huber on drums.
Wed., August 23 - 6 to 9 PM
Hal Richards / Kurt Ribak duo
Pasta Pomodoro
181 Ranch Drive
Milpitas, CA 95035
tel: (408) 582-0160
all ages
free
I regularly play with Hal in my own group. Here we'll do my tunes, some standards, and maybe some classical stuff. If you live in the South Bay this is an easy way to hear us - besides, the food's good. According to Pasta Pomodoro, they are "conveniently located in the McCarthy Ranch Shopping Center (near Wal-Mart)."
Friday, August 25, 7:00 to 10:00
PM - and every Friday
Kurt Ribak Trio - original jazz -
Prima Ristorante
http://www.primaristorante.com/
1522 N. Main Street, Walnut Creek, CA
Every Friday, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
All ages
Tip - to best hear the band you should have drinks in the bar or make a dinner reservation in the bar. Greg Sankovich is on piano, with Tim Solook on drums.
Wednesday,
Aug. 30, 6:00 to 9:00 PM - and the last Wednesday of every month
Kurt Ribak
Trio - Original jazz
Cato's Ale House
http://www.mrcato.com/
3891 Piedmont Ave.
Oakland, CA
510-655-3349
all ages
no cover
We play the last Wednesday of every month. Cato's is a beer and wine place with a lot of good bar grub as well. Their beer selection is excellent, and you can bring your kids if you wish. Hal Richards will be on woodwinds, with Dave Casini on vibes.
Thursday, Aug. 31, 7:30 to 10:30 PM
Kurt Ribak Trio - original jazz
Baltic Restaurant
135 Park Place, Point Richmond, CA 94801
510-237-4pub
mailto:balticsquarepub@sbcglobal.net
The Baltic Restaurant is back. It was closed for a couple of years. It's an old restaurant (founded circa 1906) with lots of character. I'll be with noted local vibraphonist Gerry Grosz and Tim Solook on drums.
Friday, Sept. 1, 7:00 to 10:00
PM - and every Friday
Kurt Ribak Trio - original jazz -
Prima Ristorante
http://www.primaristorante.com/
1522 N. Main Street, Walnut Creek, CA
Every Friday, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
All ages
Tip - to best hear the band you should have drinks in the bar or make a dinner reservation in the bar. Greg Sankovich is on piano, with Tim Solook on drums.
Sat., Sept. 2, 9:00 AM to 11:00
AM
The pickPocket Ensemble - original music
Live Radio Broadcast - West Coast Live - KALW 91.7 FM
I'll be playing with the pickPocket Ensemble playing their original mix of gypsy music, Central European Music, Cabaret, and jazz. Rick Corrigan is the leader and composer, with Chloe Allen on violin (I played with her my first summer in Make*A*Circus!), Tim Fox on guitar (I played with him in Fox & Cats), and Katja Cooper on percussion. I played with these guys at a wedding last April - it was big fun. We'll be playing a couple of tunes as part of the radio show.
Sun., Sept. 3, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM - and the first Sunday of every month
Kurt Ribak Trio - Original jazz
Chaya Brasserie
http://www.thechaya.com/
location & info
132 The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 777-8688
Here's a shot of the band taken from the bar at Chaya. Tim Solook is on drums. Yep, that's Kurt on bass.
Chaya is known for its "Japanese-inspired French cuisine." The food and service are outstanding, they have some very nice wines, and they have some great views of the Bay Bridge. They also have a specially priced menu at the bar while we are playing, so you can drink and dine on a smaller budget than Chaya normally requires. The trio will be me on bass, Greg Sankovich on keyboards, and Tim Solook on drums.
Come check us out - there's not much other jazz happening on a Sunday night, and this is an interesting new version of my band. At Chaya we play a harder-hitting, more driving style than at Prima. Between that and the electronic keyboards Greg brings to Chaya (they have no piano), the band sounds very different here.
"One of the perks of being an unemployed musician is that you get to
play much less bad music."
Jack Daney
You can check out mp3s of my music at http://www.ribak.com/mp3s.html. You can go to http://www.BayTaper.com to download our July 2, 2006 show at the Fillmore Jazz Festival.
Alex Walsh's CD "Light Another Candle" is pop - a lot of it sounds like Mott the Hoople meets the Replacements to me. This was recorded in 2003. I play electric bass and upright on it.
Brian Schindele's CD The Moral is original straightahead jazz. I like it - the title tune kicks off the CD with some great drumming. This CD features Brian, drummer Tim Vaughan, Sheldon Brown on tenor sax, Tom Griesser playing sax on one track, Dave Scott on trumpet, cornet, and flugelhorn, Larry Leight on trombone, and Connie Champagne as featured guest vocalist on a ballad track.
I regularly play with Stephen Bigger at Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church, where he is music director. "Lights on the Horizon" is a CD of his contemporary Christian songwriting. Stephen sings lead on a number of the tunes, but he also features Amy Beth Nickelson and Katie O'Gorman, two very talented young members of the congregation at Moraga Valley.
Gig Mailing List
To join my mailing list, you are welcome to click on SubscribeGiglist and include the address where you want to receive the mail in the body of the message. You are encouraged to mention how you heard of me.
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2006 gigs
June-early August '06 gigs
June '06 gigs
May '06 gigs
April '06 gigs
March '06 gigs
February '06 gigs
January '06 gigs
2005 gigs
December '05 gigs
November '05 gigs
October '05 gigs
September '05 gigs
August '05 gigs
July '05 gigs
May / June '05 gigs
May '05 gigs
March '05 gigs
February '05 gigs
January '05 gigs
2004 gigs
December
December
December
September
August
July
June
May
May
March
February
January
And for something just plain weird, we have Blixa Bargeld doing home improvement ads... http://www.epica-awards.org/assets/epica/2004/finalists/film/flv/22012-1.htm
http://www.epica-awards.org/assets/epica/2004/finalists/film/flv/22012-2.htm
http://www.epica-awards.org/assets/epica/2004/finalists/film/flv/22012-3.htm
http://www.epica-awards.org/assets/epica/2004/finalists/film/flv/22012-4.htm
Hello Cthulhu is what happens when you cross Hello Kitty with H.P. Lovecraft.
Bush Pilot - thanks to my pal David Javelosa for forwarding this to me.
Here we have a website with a directory of musicians with bald/shaved heads. takeitfromthehead.com The site is maintained by Pete Levin, keyboardist for Gil Evans, Paul Simon, Jimmy Giuffre, Annie Lennox, Tony Levin Band, Lenny White and the brother of the famous bassist (also bald) Tony Levin. Pete Levin contacted me and asked if I would like to be on the site, so there I am, right up there with the pop singer Seal, the thrash-metal guitarist Kerry King of Slayer, and Dixieland clarinetist Pete Fountain.
