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. Go to my CD page for more info.
You can download the Kurt Ribak Trio recording at emusic.com. We've been getting some attention there - the recording is rating four of five stars. You can do a trial memebership for cheap, and recordings are way cheaper to download at emusic than with iTunes.
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. You are welcome to call or e-mail me to confirm performance dates and times. The gigs below are an incomplete list and do not include private engagements or recording sessions.
Wednesday,
Nov. 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.
Thursday, Dec. 1 - 7:30 PM to 11:30 PM - note time change
Kurt Ribak Trio - original jazz
Andrew Jaeger's House of Seafood and Jazz at the Condor
Broadway x. Columbus, SF, CA
http://www.andrewjaeger.com
SF Weekly Review
21 and over
This gig will feature Fred Harris on piano and Randy Odell on drums. Randy, Fred and I used to back Khevan Onaje as the house band at the Club Deluxe way back in the day. This venue is in the old Condor strip club. No more stripping, though. Andrew Jaeger is a New Orleans - style chef who is keeping his New Orleans restaurant running as well.
The food is really good and I really like the staff and management, who have all come from New Orleans. This is a great place to hang out and watch people go by while having a drink, eating some great New Orleans food, and hearing some jazz. This is a place I plan to come to on my own time and my own dime. We started playing here in late August and they have been kind enough to give us a steady gig.
Friday, Dec. 2, 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
Fred Harris will be on piano, with Randy Odell on drums.
Tip - to best hear the band you should have drinks in the bar or make a dinner reservation in the bar.
Sat., Dec. 3 - private party at night
Sun., Dec. 4, 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. 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.
Wednesday, Dec. 7, 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Kurt Ribak Quartet - Original jazz
Jupiter
2181 Shattuck Avenue (at Center Street), Berkeley,
across from the Berkeley main BART station
510-THE-TAPS for directions
510-THE-ROCK for information on music and specials
http://www.jupiterbeer.com
No cover
21 and over
This is always a fun place to play. Jupiter is a very popular place - they've got an excellent beer selection, food, a patio area, and lots of attractive twentysomethings. It's near the UC campus and is easily accessible by BART. Have some beer and food, people watch or hang out with friends, and listen to us play. We will be playing in the patio barring inclement weather.
Randy Odell will be on drums, with Robin Lewis on guitar and Hal Richards on woodwinds.
Thursday, Dec. 8, 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Kurt Ribak Trio - Original jazz
Enrico's Sidewalk
Cafe
http://www.enricossidewalkcafe.com
504 Broadway
at Kearny,
San Francisco,
CA 94113
415-982-6223
Max Perkoff will be on piano and Randy Odell on drums. Enrico's is a classic North Beach joint. It's also close to City Lights bookstore (one of the best bookstores ever, period) and a variety of other cafes (including the famed Caffe Trieste), restaurants, and strip clubs. Enrico's is known for its food and its cocktails, especially the mojito and a kumquat caipiroshka (yes, it sounds weird, but it's quite good.)
Friday, Dec. 9, 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
Andy Ostwald is on piano, Rancy Odell is on drums. Tip - to best hear the band you should have drinks in the bar or make a dinner reservation in the bar.
Sun., Dec. 11, 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM
First United Methodist Church,
with Rev. Dan Damon and Eileen Johnson
First United Methodist Church
http://www.pointrichmond.com/methodist/
201 Martina St., Point Richmond, CA
This is an annual presentation of Handel's Messiah. I'll be playing 'cello - which I haven't done in quite a while.
Thursday, Dec. 15 - 7:30 PM to 11:30 PM - CANCELED
Kurt Ribak Trio - original jazz - CANCELED
Andrew Jaeger's House of Seafood and Jazz at the Condor - CANCELED
http://www.andrewjaeger.com
Broadway x. Columbus, SF, CA
SF Weekly Review
21 and over
We couldn't make this gig due to a schedule conflict. Eric Berman, who plays Fridays at Jaeger's, will be on piano.
Friday, Dec. 16, 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
Noted local pianist Lee Bloom will be on piano, with Kevin Mummey on drums.
Tip - to best hear the band you should have drinks in the bar or make a dinner reservation in the bar.
Sat., Dec. 17 - 3 PM - private party
Saturday, Dec. 17, 8:00 to 11:00 PM
Kurt Ribak Band - Original jazz
George Kaye's - Holiday Party
4044 Broadway - Broadway at 41st
Oakland, CA
510-547-9374
8 PM to 11 PM
21 and over - no cover
photo credit - Felicity O'Meara
This is a really cool dive bar in Oakland. Owner/bartender/scholar/pilot/bon vivant David Biddle will be presiding. The regulars include doctors, nurses, lawyers, musicians, graduate students, dancers, artists, street people, cab drivers, and mechanics. You may also see dogs wandering about, including Archie, Dave's brindle Standard Boxer. Some of the artists are very good indeed, by the way, although the quality of art on display varies. It's the kind of bar where you go for more than just drinks - I've bought Christmas trees there, borrowed books, bought art from the artists and made new friends, as well as purchased a steady supply of scotch. Heck, it's such a good bar that non-smokers (like me) and non-drinkers hang out there because it's a real neighborhood bar with a lot of interesting regulars.
Please note - this is an owner-operated bar that allows smoking. It is the only place I play that allows smoking. If you want a drink and a smoke, this is your place. If you really don't want to be around that, then please come to one of my other gigs instead.
If you want to be at a good old-fashioned lively bar, this is the place. I was there one night and the bar was on fire and a young woman did a dance on the bar and an unsolicited lapdance for a patron. Another night a young woman who was a college student and worked at the Lusty Lady on the side did a highly stimulating dance on the bar. So it's that kind of place. At least, it can be. The band so far will be me (Kurt Ribak, the guy in the picture at the top of this page), Hal Richards on woodwinds, and Randy Odell on drums.
There will be free grub and drinks that are for sale - cash only, folks.
I've played at Shanghai 1930 many times in the past with Lorna K. Shanghai 1930 is a beautiful restaurant. The food is top-notch Chinese food and differs from what you get in most Chinese restaurants.
Thursday, Dec. 22 - 7:30 PM to 11:30 PM - note time change
Kurt Ribak Trio - original jazz
Andrew Jaeger's House of Seafood and Jazz at the Condor
http://www.andrewjaeger.com
Broadway x. Columbus, SF, CA
SF Weekly Review
21 and over
This gig will feature Greg Sankovich on piano. This venue is in the old Condor strip club. No more stripping, though. Andrew Jaeger is a New Orleans - style chef who is keeping his New Orleans restaurant running as well.
The food is really good and I really like the staff and management, who have all come from New Orleans. This is a great place to hang out and watch people go by while having a drink, eating some great New Orleans food, and hearing some jazz.
Friday, Dec. 23, 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
Fred Harris will be on piano, with Kevin Mummey on drums. Tip - to best hear the band you should have drinks in the bar or make a dinner reservation in the bar.
Sat., Dec. 24, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
First United Methodist Church Christmas Eve Service,
with Rev. Dan Damon
First United Methodist Church
http://www.pointrichmond.com/methodist/
201 Martina St., Point Richmond, CA
I've played the Christmas Eve service at First United for a number of years now. I really like this church. Rev. Dan Damon is a good person and has written many fine hymns. If you're looking for a spiritual place Christmas Eve, this is a good place to go. All are welcome.
Sat., Dec. 24, 11:00 PM to 12:30 AM
Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church
10 Moraga Valley Lane, Moraga CA 94556
I'll be playing a midnight service in Moraga. I play at this church regularly, filling in for Fred Randolph, the regular bassist. The service will be a more traditional worship service, with mostly traditional music and arrangements. I'll be playing upright bass on this gig. The worship and music director, Stephen Bigger, does a great job and is a good guy.
Wednesday,
Dec. 28, 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.
Friday, Dec. 30, 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 Kevin Mummey on drums. Tip - to best hear the band you should have drinks in the bar or make a dinner reservation in the bar.
Chaya is known for its "Japanese-inspired French cuisine." The food is really remarkably good here - this has got to be one of the best restaurants in San Francisco. Greg Sankovich is on keyboards, Lincoln Adler on tenor and soprano sax and Tim Solook on drums. Tim and Lincoln play together in the jazz-funk group Times 4. This is a special event - if you want to attend, make reservations. Chaya will have a perfect view of the fireworks - last year the fireworks were launched from a barge immediately across from Chaya.
You can check out mp3s of my music at http://www.ribak.com/mp3s.html
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Gig announcement archives
2005 gigs
November '05 gigs October '05 gigs September '05 gigs August '05 gigs July '05 gigs May / June '05 gigs April '05 gigs March '05 gigs February '05 gigs January '05 gigs2004 gigs
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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.htmand here we have the "Hello Cthulhu" comic strip, including a special holiday greeting from Hello Cthulhu.
