CD Purchases - Buy the @#$! CD
You can buy the Kurt Ribak Trio CD online at CDBaby,
and at Musicians Union Local 6. We plan to have the next CD out by spring 2007. We're still working on the art and packaging. The third CD has been recorded but needs more production before artwork and packaging happens.
Meatspace Purchases
You can also buy the CD at Groove Yard, 5555 Claremont Avenue Oakland, CA 94618, and at Down Home Music, 10341 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA. Go to my CD page for more info.
Downloads
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.
Live downloads
You can go to BayTaper.com or http://mefeedia.com/feeds/21779/ to download our July 2, 2006 show at the Fillmore Jazz Festival. There are also some excellent photos there. The show is rated five stars out of five.
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.
some good news ...
PRIMA GIG
On the last upcoming gig announcement I sent out I noted things were up in the air with regard to our continued presence at Prima. As things now stand, we will continue to play every Friday at Prima through *January*. After that Peter Chastain, the owner and executive chef of Prima, is considering changing our schedule. We might start doing the first and third Fridays, for example, rather than every Friday. Or we may start playing a different day. It's up in the air. It's even possible we might not play at Prima at all after January.
If you like coming to Prima and like knowing we're there every Friday, please let Peter know, whether in person, by phone, or by e-mail. The staff love having us there - it's Peter that needs convincing. He's at mailto:peter@primaristorante.com and 925-935-7780 ext. 27.
more stuff .... as noted last week...
DRUMMER TIM SOLOOK TO LEAVE AREA, RETURN TO TEXAS
Drummer Tim Solook is moving back to Houston, where he lived and played for a dozen years before coming to the Bay Area in 2002. Tim plays with us very regularly and recorded the first CD with us, as well as appearing regularly at Prima, Chaya, and at other events including the Fillmore St. Jazz Ferstival.
We are really going to miss Tim. He has great grooves, great chops, a great attitude - he should be one of the busiest drummers in the area. In Houston there is more work for Tim, and he and his wife were able to buy a lovely house, an impossibility in the Bay Area.
Currently Tim's last gig with us will be at Prima on Fri., Dec. 15. Powerhouse pianist Fred Harris will be on that gig. The last classic trio gig with Tim on drums and Greg on piano will be on Fri., December 8 at Prima. Come on by and wish Tim good luck!
For those of you who are wondering what will happen to my trio now that Tim Solook and Kevin Mummey are gone, fear not. There are several other excellent drummers who are familiar with my book. Randy Odell, Matt Willis, Bryan Bowman and Jon Arkin are among the other drummers who appear with us. You'll be seeing more of them with us in 2007. We will also do some trio gigs at Prima with woodwinds, which have done twice in the last month or so. Hal Richards and Lincoln Adler both did a great job with that and I have booked Hal to join us at Prima on 12/22 and 12/29.
and still more stuff.....
PIANIST / KEYBOARDIST GREG SANKOVICH VACATIONING IN JANUARY Greg Sankovich is planning to spend January traveling in Asia. So he will not be appearing with us during that month, most likely. His smiling mug should be back with us in February. Although he will be missed in January, there will be a number of fine musicians in his place, including pianist / vibist Gerry Grosz, pianist Fred Harris, and guitarist Dave Bell.
and even more stuff besides......
HIRE US FOR THE HOLIDAYS / NEW YEAR'S EVE We are not engaged for New Year's Eve at this time. If you're interested in hiring my group, call me or e-mail me. We also do corporate gigs and are booked for some Holiday parties and would love to do more of the same. So if you've let things slide and need some music... call or e-mail me.
on to the gigs!
Friday December 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.
If you haven't heard us here or haven't seen us in a while I would especially encourage you to come see us. This will be one of the final gigs with the existing piano trio lineup of Tim and Greg. Tim's moving to Texas later in December, and Greg will be traveling in January.
Sun., Dec. 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
This will be one of the last chances to hear the trio lineup of Tim and Greg. Tim's moving to Texas later in December, and Greg will be traveling in January.
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.
Friday, Dec. 8, 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.
Tim is moving back to Houston, where he lived for twelve years before coming to the Bay Area. Tim will be moving in late December. We will definitely miss him - he's a really outstanding drummer but he just wasn't as busy up here as he was in Houston. Also, in Houston he can afford to buy a home - something that just isn't a possibility for most full-time musicians in the Bay Area, especially new arrivals. Come see the trio with Tim and Greg before it's gone for good.
Friday, Dec. 15, 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 something else - he's a powerful player with serious classical chops. He grew up playing Chopin, but in his teens he got into Coltrane. Now he is this wild mix of McCoy Tyner, Franz Liszt, and Lord knows what else. Fred and I go way back - back to the days when we played in the house band at Club Deluxe and the swing scene was just beginning.
FINAL TIM SOLOOK GIG Sadly, I expect this to be the last gig with Tim on the bandstand. Come on by and wish Tim good luck!
Wednesday, Dec. 20, 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.
Greg Sankovich will be on keyboards, third member TBA.
Friday, Dec. 22, 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. Dave Bell is on guitar, with Hal Richards on woodwinds. Dave played with us at Prima last month and went over very well. Dave plays with a number of groups including the legendary musician Dan Hicks.
Sun., 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. It's a simple, sweet church with a welcoming congregation and a sactuary with excellent acoustics. My trio has played a couple of concerts there. 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.
First United Methodist
Sun., Dec. 24, 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM services
Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church
10 Moraga Valley Lane, Moraga CA 94556
I'll be playing two services Christmas Eve at Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church. I am now the regular bassist for the Sunday services. The service will be a more traditional worship service, with mostly traditional music and arrangements. The worship and music director, Stephen Bigger, does a great job and is a good guy. He has also put out "Lights on the Horizon" a CD of his contemporary Christian songwriting.
Wednesday,
Dec. 27, 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.
FUTURE GIGS
Thursday, Jan. 11, Thursday, Feb. 8, and Thursday, March 8, 7:00 to 10:00 PM
Kurt Ribak Trio - original jazz -
Servino
http://www.servino.com/ - directions, menu, etc.
9 Main Street Tiburon, CA 94920
Band is TBA.
Sat., Jan. 20, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Kurt Ribak Trio - Original jazz
Chaya Brasserie
http://www.thechaya.com/
location & info
132 The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 777-8688
This will be a Saturday night gig in additiona to our monthly Sunday gig.
Saturday, March 31, 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.
"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
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June-early August '06 gigs
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March '06 gigs
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2005 gigs
December '05 gigs
November '05 gigs
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July '05 gigs
May / June '05 gigs
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March '05 gigs
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2004 gigs
December
November
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.
:Iggy Pop's performance contract
