Kurt Ribak

(pronounced REE-bok, like the shoes)

gigs and other stuff

photo by Lincoln Adler / Groove Tonic Media

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RECORDINGS - We have five recordings.
Our records are played on KCSM-FM, San Diego's Jazz 88, PRI's "Jazz After Hours" (syndicated on 70 stations), KPFA, KZFR, KKUP, KZSC, KRCB, soulandjazz.com's "The Creative Source" and more.

The new record, "onward" features Greg Sankovich, Ross Wilson, Lincoln Adler, Russ Gold, Alan Hall, Michaelle Goerlitz, Myles Boisen, and Kurt.
It's our best record yet. It was recorded at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley by Adam Munoz and produced by Greg, Lincoln, and Kurt.

You can buy Kurt Ribak's CDs, downloads, etc. online at CDBaby or by the download there, on iTunes, emusic.com, and all the other usual online sources, at The Groove Yard in Oakland at 5555 Claremont in Oakland, at Bird & Beckett Books & Records, 653 Chenery St., San Francisco, at Down Home Music, 10341 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA.

Gigs

Kurt Ribak Quintet - Original Jazz
August 8, noon to 1 PM - Free outdoor show
555 California, San Francisco, CA
Presented by People in Plazas - http://www.peopleinplazas.org
free, all ages

This show features Rob Hart on drums, Greg Sankovich keys, Lincoln Adler sax, Ross Wilson brass, Kurt on bass. This is an especially good show to catch if you work in the Financial District. We hit at noon and end at 1 PM, so don't roll in late to catch the second set. This show is presented by People In Plazas, who have free noon shows in SF all summer.

Tuesday, August 21, 8:30 PM- 11 PM
The pickPocket Ensemble - "world cafe music"
http://www.pickpocketensemble.com
Revolution Cafe
3248 22nd St, San Francisco, CA 94110
No Cover

I hadn't played with the pickPocket Ensemble in a while. I played on their record "memory." I'm doing this date, October 16, November 20 at the Revolution Cafe with the group, some other here and October 13 in Occidental at Occidental Center for the Arts. Leader pianist / accordionist Rick Corrigan writes all the music. Yates Brown is on guitar, John Slattery percussion, Matthew Souther trumpet. My old friend Chloe Allen is on violin.

Some people hear Roma (Gypsy) music in what we do. I've also met folks from central Europe who say the group's music is what they grew up with. The tunes are really good, regardless. Cafe Revolution is very much a bohemian kind of joint in the Mission.

Improv Jam
August 22 - 8 PM to 9:30 PM
The Impulse Room
http://www.impulseroom.com
1501 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek, CA 94596- Access is on Lincoln Street side of building.
925-476-5040
21 and over
Cover includes a complimentary buffet 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM- go here for details
Impulse Room streetside

The Impulse Room is a nice room - elegant but not stuffy, nice acoustics and furniture. The venue does have a dress code, so check that out first before you show up in sneakers, shorts, a t-shirt, and a ball cap.

This show will feature totally improvised music. Show up and see what happens. The Impulse Room has been doing these for a while. Rising young vibraphonist / drummer Dillon Vado will be on it, Alex Agius is on keyboards, and trumpeter Rob Dehlinger is also on it.

Impulse Room
Improv 14 poster

Sven Soderlund and the Mighty Majestic Orchestra - "Rat Pack" style vocalist and full big band plus string section
Saturday, August 25. Show starts at 8 PM - we headline.
Great American Music Hall
859 O'Farrell Street
San Francisco, CA 94109

I'll quote Sven - "A wonderful opportunity and venue to bring you the sights & sounds of Sven & the Masterful Majestic Orchestra, a 17 piece orchestra playing some classic crooner standards in likes of Sinatra, Martin & Bennett! In support we have San Francisco's own "Hot Pink Feathers" doing their own version of timeless & sassy showgirl dance to bring the mood definitely in the red zone! Also playing is Not Yetis who offer a generous helping of a 60's esque groovy sound for all you to get the evening rolling off to a plentiful start indeed. Dress code is definitely encouraged so make it a great night for a date night!

Sven is a vocalist with a heavy metal background (!) who has put together a swinging band with a lot of the great Nelson Riddle, Billy May et al arrangements. He sings the tunes really well, and he gets some great players. We did a very fun debut show at the Bottom of the Hill in July.

Wednesday, August 29, 6:00 pm-9:00 pm

Kurt Ribak Trio featuring Myles Boisen and Greg Sankovich - Original Jazz
Cato's Ale House
http://www.catosalehouse.com
3891 Piedmont Ave., Oakland, CA
510-655-3349
all ages, kid-friendly, no cover

I had a monthly gig at Cato's for many years until my 2012 injury. I'm doing a one-shot show there with keyboardist Greg Sankovich and guitarist Myles Boisen. Most of you are familiar with Greg - he's on all my CDs and co-produced the last couple. Guitarist Myles Boisen is also featured on my new album “ONWARD.”

Myles is a fun and interesting player. He's performed with Tom Waits, Fred Frith, John Zorn, Club Foot Orchestra, and many others, including country band Crying Time and the mini big band Imperial Jazz Co. You can hear him play my tune "Blue Mambo" with my group at the Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse here.

Good beer - LOTS of selection, pub grub, a good live band, no cover, you can bring kids if you got 'em - it should be a good time.

Friday, August 31, 6 PM to 9 PM
Kurt Ribak Quartet - Original Jazz
Free outdoor show, all ages
Marin Country Mart - http://marincountrymart.com
2257 Country Landing Circle
Larkspur, CA - across the street from the Larkspur Ferry Terminal

Come see our free Marin County show. Greg Sankovich keys, Lincoln Adler sax, Michaelle Goerlitz percussion, Kurt bass and vocals.

Friday, September 14, 8 PM to 10:15 PM
Kurt Ribak - Original Jazz
Armando's
armando's logo

http://www.armandosmartinez.com
707 Marina Vista
Martinez, CA
21+, cash only, beer & wine.
Armando's facade

Armando's is one of my favorite venues both as a performer and as an audience member. When I'm here, I feel I'm at home, whether I'm playing or listening.

It's a surprisingly quick drive to Armando's from Berkeley / Oakland area - for one thing, parking's a snap. Downtown Martinez is also very cute, and the area is becoming more lively, with new bars and restaurants.

The band will be Kurt on bass and vocals, Greg Sankovich on keyboards, Lincoln Adler on sax, and Michaelle Goerlitz on percussion. Come on out!

Kurt Ribak Trio - Original Jazz
Friday, September 21 - 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, Lincoln Adler is on sax.

Thursday, September 27 - 8 PM to 9:30 PM
Kurt Ribak - Original Jazz
The Impulse Room
http://www.impulseroom.com
1501 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek, CA 94596- Access is on Lincoln Street side of building.
925-476-5040
21 and over
Cover includes a complimentary buffet 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM-go here for details
Impulse Room streetside

Lincoln Adler on sax, Kurt on bass. Others TBA.

Tuesday, October 16, 8:30 PM- 11 PM
The pickPocket Ensemble - "world cafe music"
http://www.pickpocketensemble.com
Revolution Cafe
3248 22nd St, San Francisco, CA 94110
No Cover

I haven't played with the pickPocket Ensemble in a while. I played on their record "memory." I'm doing this date with the group and one in Occidental at Occidental Center for the Arts in October. Their music is like a musical Rorschach blot - leader Rick Corrigan writes all the music. Yates Brown is on guitar, John Slattery percussion, Matthew Souther trumpet. My old friend Chloe Allen is on violin.

Some people hear Roma (Gypsy) music, and I've met folks from central Europe who say the group's music is what they grew up with. The tunes are really good, regardless. Cafe Revolution is very much a bohemian kind of joint in the Mission.

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.
Listen in archives at 91.1 FM or over go straight to the interview here.

KCSM is the biggest jazz radio station on the West Coast and one of very few 24-hr jazz stations nationwide.

Buy our CDs online - or buy downloads:

videos
Kurt Ribak Live - videos from Kurt's May 26, 2015 Yoshi's show

Check out Kurt's YouTube channel for more videos

Video interviews of Kurt Ribak

These video interviews were made by Lincoln Adler - www.LincolnAdler.com. Lincoln plays with us often and is the saxophonist of Times 4, the jazz-funk group Greg Sankovich also plays in.

"...KURT'S ability to take you on a journey from the deepest waters of the Caribbean to the funky alleys of the urban jungle in one listening makes him a truly gifted original in my book." - Chris Cortez, Announcer, KCSM-FM

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