Kurt Ribak 

(pronounced REE-bok, like the shoes)

gigs and other stuff

   

Sat., June 2, 7:30 PM to 10 PM
Imperial Jazz Co.  - Maximum Swing
Bird & Beckett - book store and music venue
653 Chenery St
San Francisco CA 94131
all ages, $20 cover (I think)

Bird & Beckett is both a great music venue and an outstanding book store.  It is one of my favorite book stores ever - and I grew up hanging out at Cody's, Moe's, and other great Berkeley book stores. 

Glen Park is a charming neighborhood that still feels like San Francisco.  There are a number of cafes, bars (hello, Glen Park Station bar!) and restaurants nearby, and it's close to the Glen Park BART station.

This band is definitely worth checking out.  The book is mostly swing tunes, but this is not your normal swing band.  All the musicians *can* and *do* swing, but all are players with a lot of experience in other genres - many with serious experimental / avant-garde cred.  They keep the music fresh, and the book includes standards, Monk's "Hackensack" and Billy Strayhorn's "Johnny Come Lately."

The band personnel varies a little from gig to gig.  This version includes violinist John Ettinger, reedman Philip Greenlief, myself, guitarist Myles Boisen, drummer John Hanes, and vocalist Jill Rogers.  The band has also featured Tony Marcus and David Slusser.   This is a band worth coming to hear, regardless of whether I'm playing in it, and we'll be playing in one of the coolest venues around.

Sunday, June 3, 3 PM to 5:15 PM
Thomas Martin (folk-rock singer-songwriter)
Armando's
http://www.armandosmartinez.com
707 Marina Vista
Martinez, CA

21+, cash only, beer & wine.

Thomas Martin has been active in the music scene since the early '60s.  His music reminds me a bit of Donovan, Al Stewart, and maybe T. Rex.  Armando's is one of my favorite venues both as a performer and as an audience member.  It's a surprisingly quick drive to Armando's from Berkeley / Oakland area - for one thing, parking's a snap.  Come on out!

CANCELED  Friends of Old Puppy - Ukulele-Centric Jazz, Tin Pan Alley, Hawaiian Music, and more
Sunday, June 10, 3 PM - 6 PM
Butchertown Gourmet / Gratta Wines
5273 3rd St, San Francisco, CA  94124

This is a band I often go hear Saturday Mornings at Spasso in Oakland.  On this occasion I will play with them.  It will feature the singer, ukuleleist, and all - around fabulous musician Steven Strauss.  It will also include Kurt Stevenson on guitar.  Kurt plays with Counting Crows when they tour and also is a fine singer and player with a lot of songs under his belt.  I've known women to get all dreamy-eyed about Kurt Stevenson and his playing.  Cynthia Wilson is on drums.

Seriously, I think Strauss is a musical treasure.  We're of pretty different sensibilities.  He has a lovely light touch to his music.  Me - I'm often more like a blacksmith playing bass, but I look forward to this gig. 

I've played once before at this space.  It's in the Bayview District, or more specifically, Butchertown.  This area is changing some - but it's still one of the few neighborhoods left in San Francisco that hasn't become a playground for the rich.  It's in that sweet spot where places like Gratta Wine have popped up.  They serve wine made in their garage.  They also serve some light food.  They have a small kitchen, a small counter, and a few stools for drinking wine and having a bite.  I believe you can buy bottles to take with you.  When I played here before I thought it was really cool.  I really liked the wine, and the place reminded me of somes tapas bars I came across traveling in Spain.
CANCELED

Sunday, June 17, 11 AM to 12:10 PM
Dan Damon Quartet - Father's Day Jazz Service
First United Methodist Church - http://www.pointrichmondmethodist.org/
201 Martina St
Richmond CA 94801


Pastor Dan Damon is a jazz pianist - he played piano in bars to pay for seminary school.  He's also written a number of hymns that are in Methodist hymnals.  He will lead the band and lead worship with Kurt on bass.  Lincoln Adler on sax, Randy Odell on drums, and Sheilani Alix on vocals on a few numbers.  I've played jazz services here for about fifteen years.  The church itself is beautiful yet unpretentious, and has excellent acoustics.

If you're concerned about whether you'll be comfortable or welcome, here's the church's mission statement:

"We, the people of First United Methodist Church in Point Richmond, seek to embody God’s love for all people through our worship and the many ways we nurture and serve our community and world. We welcome everyone and celebrate the ways we differ in age, race, ethnicity, culture, gender identity, and sexual orientation. We preserve and embrace the beautiful diversity of nature. We cooperate with other congregations and organizations to participate in Jesus’ mission of peace, justice, and unconditional love."  I've been at enough services here to know they mean it.

FUMC is a lovely, unpretentious small church with excellent acoustics.  You can see photos of it and learn more about the church here.

Imperial Jazz Co. /  Orchestra Nostalgico
Friday, June 22 - Approx. 9 PM to midnight
The Starry Plough (Irish bar with food)
3101 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705

I'll be with Imperial Jazz Co. This band is definitely worth checking out.  The book is mostly swing tunes, but this is not your normal swing band.  All the musicians *can* and *do* swing, but all are players with a lot of experience in other genres - many with serious experimental / avant-garde cred.  They keep the music fresh, and the book includes standards, Monk's "Hackensack" and Billy Strayhorn's "Johnny Come Lately."

The band personnel varies a little from gig to gig.  This version includes violinist John Ettinger, reedman Philip Greenlief, myself, guitarists Myles Boisen and John Finkbiner, drummer John Hanes, and vocalist Jill Rogers.  The band has also featured Tony Marcus and David Slusser.   This is a band worth coming to hear, regardless of whether I'm playing in it, and we'll be playing in one of the coolest venues around.

Orchestra Nostalgico performs music from classics by some of the great composers for the movies: Ennio Morricone, Bernard Hermann, Charlie Chaplin, Giovanni Fusco and more.  The band features musicians like Philip Greenlief, John Hanes, Josh Brody, Sheldon Brown, Myles Boisen, Chris Grady, and more.  Some really fine players here. 

So - two really good bands playing really good music.  In an unpretentious lefty Irish bar.  A good time is a strong possibility, and it should be an affordable night out.

Mark Sowlakis Trio - Jazz
Friday, June 29 - 7 PM to 11 PM
The Cliff House - bar / restaurant
http://www.cliffhouse.com/
1090 Point Lobos, SF, CA
415-386-3330
All ages, no cover

This place really has a great view.  You can see the Pacific Ocean, the Marin Headlands, Ocean Beach, Land's End, and more.  Listen and watch us in the lounge, while enjoying drinks and maybe some bar food.  You can also hear us from the main dining room.  

Kurt's on bass, Greg Sankovich keyboards, Mark Sowlakis leads the band on sax, clarinet, and maybe even bass clarinet if we're lucky. 

This is Mark's gig, and he's definitely worth hearing.

KCSM INTERVIEW - Wednesday, April 18, 9 AM

Wednesday - April 18 at 9 AM - Kurt was interviewed on KCSM - FM by Alisa Clancy on her "Morning Cup of Jazz" show.

They discuss Kurt's May 7 show at The Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse and play his brand new CD "onward," which will be released May 1.