Kurt Ribak (pronounced REE-bok, like the shoes) - bassist

July,early August 2007 Gigs


art credit: El Rey - based on a photo by David Meiland

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Kurt Ribak Trio Merchandise

CD Purchases - Buy the @#$! CD

You can buy the Kurt Ribak Trio CD online at CDBaby, and at Musicians Union Local 6.


NEW CD!
Our second CD, titled "more, " has just arrived.  You will be able to get it at all the same locations as the first CD.  

RADIO
The new CD, "more" has gotten repeated airplay on KCSM 91.1 FM and KRKD 103.3 FM.

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.  

The new recording is in the process of being made available for sale at iTunes, emusic, and elsewhere.

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.

PRIMA GIG GETS PRESS
We continue to play every Friday at Prima. A review of the Friday night bar scene appeared in the Feb. 8, 2007 edition of the Contra Costa Times, in which the Kurt Ribak Trio is described as "delicious."

on to the gigs!
 
Thursday, July 12, 8:00 to 11:30 PM  
Kurt Ribak Trio - original jazz
Pres a Vi
http://www.presavi.com/
1 Letterman Drive, Bldg. D
The Presidio
San Francisco, CA
All ages

pres a vi / letterman sign pres a vi building with sign

We have a new steady gig!  Pres a Vi is a huge new restaurant in the Letterman Digital Arts Center, operated by George Lucas.  We will be playing Thursdays for some time to come.  The executive chef is Kelly Degala and the food is from around the world. Gerardo Acevedo-Vanni, the General Manager, just arrived here after working as the GM of Prima.  Gerardo is a great guy and has done a wonderful job of pulling the place together.  The food is small plates from around the world.  The menu changes regularly and includes some really outstanding dishes.  This is one of the places I play where I also go and spend my own money.

The band will be Greg Sankovich playing keyboards and Rob Hart on drums.  We play in the bar area, which has a great view of the Presidio, the Palace of Fine Arts, and the Golden Gate.  As at Prima, to best hear the band have drinks in the bar or make a dinner reservation in the bar.

Two reviews by The San Francisco Chronicle's Michael Bauer -here and here.


DIRECTIONS TO PRES A VI.
It can be hard to find Pres a Vi - they aren't allowed to put up much signage.  I've put up some pictures so people know what to look for.  If you drive up, take Lombard heading west, stay straight for the Presidio entrance, and take the first right you can, on Letterman Drive.  Park in Building D - you'll be right below the restaurant.  If you park in the neighborhood, walk, bike, or take public transit, walk through at the Chestnut and Lyon entrance.  It will be the first building on your left.  More info is available at presavi.com

Friday, July 13, 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 Rob Hart on drums.
 


Saturday, July 14th, 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Kurt Ribak Trio - original jazz
Napa Downtown Association's "Saturdays on the Plaza Concert Series"
Dwight Murray Plaza (home of the old clock tower) on First Street,
100 yards west of Main Street
Napa, CA
General info
Directions

napa downtown logo

This will be a trio gig with Greg Sankovich on key and Matt Willis on drums.  It should be fun (although possibly quite hot) to be play in Napa.  I've been wanting to perform more in the wine country - this will be a good opportunity.


Thursday, July 19, 8:00 to 11:30 PM  
Kurt Ribak Trio - original jazz
Pres a Vi
http://www.presavi.com/
1 Letterman Drive, Bldg. D
The Presidio
San Francisco, CA
All ages

pres a vi / letterman sign pres a vi building with sign

We have a new steady gig!  Pres a Vi is a huge new restaurant in the Letterman Digital Arts Center, operated by George Lucas.  We will be playing Thursdays for some time to come.  The executive chef is Kelly Degala and the food is from around the world. Gerardo Acevedo-Vanni, the General Manager, just arrived here after working as the GM of Prima.  Gerardo is a great guy and has done a wonderful job of pulling the place together.  The food is small plates from around the world.  The menu changes regularly and includes some really outstanding dishes.  This is one of the places I play where I also go and spend my own money.

The band will be Greg Sankovich playing keyboards and Matt Willis on drums.  We play in the bar area, which has a great view of the Presidio, the Palace of Fine Arts, and the Golden Gate.  As at Prima, to best hear the band have drinks in the bar or make a dinner reservation in the bar.

Two reviews by The San Francisco Chronicle's Michael Bauer -here and here.


DIRECTIONS TO PRES A VI.
It can be hard to find Pres a Vi - they aren't allowed to put up much signage.  I've put up some pictures so people know what to look for.  If you drive up, take Lombard heading west, stay straight for the Presidio entrance, and take the first right you can, on Letterman Drive.  Park in Building D - you'll be right below the restaurant.  If you park in the neighborhood, walk, bike, or take public transit, walk through at the Chestnut and Lyon entrance.  It will be the first building on your left.  More info is available at presavi.com

Friday, July 20, 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.
 



Wednesday, July 25, 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.

 

kurt with "Blondie," his bass


Thursday, July 26, 8:00 to 11:30 PM  
Kurt Ribak Trio - original jazz
Pres a Vi
http://www.presavi.com/
1 Letterman Drive, Bldg. D
The Presidio
San Francisco, CA
All ages

pres a vi / letterman sign pres a vi building with sign

We have a new steady gig!  Pres a Vi is a huge new restaurant in the Letterman Digital Arts Center, operated by George Lucas.  We will be playing Thursdays for some time to come.  The executive chef is Kelly Degala and the food is from around the world. Gerardo Acevedo-Vanni, the General Manager, just arrived here after working as the GM of Prima.  Gerardo is a great guy and has done a wonderful job of pulling the place together.  The food is small plates from around the world.  The menu changes regularly and includes some really outstanding dishes.  This is one of the places I play where I also go and spend my own money.

The band will be Greg Sankovich playing keyboards and Jon Arkin on drums.  We play in the bar area, which has a great view of the Presidio, the Palace of Fine Arts, and the Golden Gate.  As at Prima, to best hear the band have drinks in the bar or make a dinner reservation in the bar.

Two reviews by The San Francisco Chronicle's Michael Bauer -here and here.


DIRECTIONS TO PRES A VI.
It can be hard to find Pres a Vi - they aren't allowed to put up much signage.  I've put up some pictures so people know what to look for.  If you drive up, take Lombard heading west, stay straight for the Presidio entrance, and take the first right you can, on Letterman Drive.  Park in Building D - you'll be right below the restaurant.  If you park in the neighborhood, walk, bike, or take public transit, walk through at the Chestnut and Lyon entrance.  It will be the first building on your left.  More info is available at presavi.com

Friday, July 27, 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.
 


Sunday, July 29, 7 PM to 10:30 PM
Kurt Ribak Trio - Original Jazz - plus Sheilani Alix, vocals, and other guests
The Riptide
http://www.riptidesf.com
3639 Taraval @ 47th Ave. San Francisco

This is a way cool bar in the outer Sunset - in fact, it's almost at the Pacific Ocean.  It's a great dive bar co-owned by Les James, the drummer for one of my favorite country bands, Red Meat and for Plain High Drifters.  There is a strong hipster element, despite the location.  The band will be Greg Sankovich on piano and Randy Odell on drums, who also plays there with The Cottontails and The Cocktail Party.  We had a lot of fun playing here in April - it was nice to just relax, play music, and not worry about being too loud for some stockbroker trying to impress his date. They have good cheap drinks, folks are friendly, it's an easy place to hang out - how can you lose?

Sheilani Alix has been singing on a number of gigs with me and Greg.  She'll be sitting in with us, which should be a real treat.  

Bob Langlie also appeared with us last time we were at the Riptide.  He tore it up - he and Greg play together in a blues / R&B band called Blue Sky.  He will appear, and we hope to have my friend the guitarist Tim Fox sit in.  Tim is a member of the pickPocket Ensemble and led a flamenco nuevo group I played in called "Fox and Cats."

July 31, 7 PM to 11 PM
Veronica Klaus - jazz vocals
Enrico's Sidewalk Cafe
http://www.enricossidewalkcafe.com
504 Broadway at Kearny,
San Francisco, CA 94113


I will be accompanying vocalist Veronica Klaus at the just reopened Enrico's. 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. 

I'll be curious to see what the new place is like.

   


Thursday, August 2, 8:00 to 11:30 PM  
Kurt Ribak Trio - original jazz
Pres a Vi
http://www.presavi.com/
1 Letterman Drive, Bldg. D
The Presidio
San Francisco, CA
All ages

pres a vi / letterman sign pres a vi building with sign

We have a new steady gig!  Pres a Vi is a huge new restaurant in the Letterman Digital Arts Center, operated by George Lucas.  We will be playing Thursdays for some time to come.  The executive chef is Kelly Degala and the food is from around the world. Gerardo Acevedo-Vanni, the General Manager, just arrived here after working as the GM of Prima.  Gerardo is a great guy and has done a wonderful job of pulling the place together.  The food is small plates from around the world.  The menu changes regularly and includes some really outstanding dishes.  This is one of the places I play where I also go and spend my own money.

We play in the bar area, which has a great view of the Presidio, the Palace of Fine Arts, and the Golden Gate.  As at Prima, to best hear the band have drinks in the bar or make a dinner reservation in the bar.

Two reviews by The San Francisco Chronicle's Michael Bauer -here and here.


DIRECTIONS TO PRES A VI.
It can be hard to find Pres a Vi - they aren't allowed to put up much signage.  I've put up some pictures so people know what to look for.  If you drive up, take Lombard heading west, stay straight for the Presidio entrance, and take the first right you can, on Letterman Drive.  Park in Building D - you'll be right below the restaurant.  If you park in the neighborhood, walk, bike, or take public transit, walk through at the Chestnut and Lyon entrance.  It will be the first building on your left.  More info is available at presavi.com


CANCELED THIS NIGHT ONLYFriday, August 3, 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 CANCELED THIS NIGHT ONLY

This night will be playing at Lick Observatory.  John Seppala will be playing piano at Prima.



Friday, August 3, 8:00 to 9:00 PM - doors open at 7:30
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 Rob Hart 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,

  • "Lick Observatory presents a summer concert series which benefits the Lick Observatory Visitors Program. Seating begins one half hour before the concert. Talks by our famous research astronomers begin right after the music. Viewing through the 36-inch telescope follows, weather permitting. Amateur astronomer volunteers provide additional outside viewing and informal talks. Attendance not advisable for children under ten years old."
    •  
    After our show will be a talk by Raja Guha Thakurta, UC Santa Cruz, titled "A Journey back to the Big Bang."

    This was one of our very favorite gigs last year, and we're looking forward to it this year.


    Sun., August 5, 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.  Greg Sankovich will be on keyboards.

    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.  I've had friends comment that the happy hour arrangement is one of the best values in the city.  Beware, though - you sit in the dining room area, it's a lot more expensive!

     sidewalk view


    Wed., Aug 8 - noon to 1 PM
    Kurt Ribak Trio - original jazz
    Crocker Galleria
    more info, link to directions
    50 Post St., San Francisco - free

    We are playing this event as part of the "People in Plazas" series.  This is a free outdoor series presented throughout the summer in downtown San Francisco.   This will be a trio date with Greg Sankovich on keyboards.  We will also be doing a quintet date Monday, Sept. 24 at 101 California in downtown San Francisco.


    "One of the perks of being an unemployed musician is that you get to play much less bad music."
    Jack Daney


    LIVE mp3s
    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.
     

    Kurt as a sideman - aka - Other People's Music

    Here are some CDs I played on -

    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.
     


    T-Shirts
    We have a few Kurt Ribak Trio t-shirts remaining. 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 L and men's from small to medium. 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.
     


    We're like, all up in literature and stuff

    Candy from Strangers

    Mark Coggins is the author of the August Riordan series of mystery novels. The August Riordan character is a wise-cracking tough guy PI who is also a jazz bassist.

    I got to know Coggins a while ago and he asked if he could use some of my music for a KQED podcast of "Candy from Strangers", the third book in the August Riordan series. William P. Arney of the Noir City Film Festival reads the first chapter with my music accompanying the story - specifically, "Prelude to a B Movie" and "Pseudoafrocubanismo," which appeared on the Kurt Ribak Trio debut CD.

    The podcast is permanently at the following location: http://www.kqed.org/arts/writersblock/episode.jsp?id=13480

    iTunes users can access The Writers' Block via the following URL: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=82023860

    The Writers' Block is also distributed through NPR here: http://www.npr.org/rss/podcast/podcast_detail.php?siteId=5593982

    To go directly to the audio, use either of these:
    stream: http://www.kqed.org/.stream/real/topics/arts/writers-block/0701-coggins-bloc k.rm.ram or
    download: http://podcastdownload.npr.org/anon.npr-podcasts/podcast/151/510076/7092336/ KQED_7092336.mp3

    PRIMA GIG GETS PRESS
    We continue to play every Friday at Prima. Thanks to all of you who let Prima owner Peter Chastain know we have a following. A review of the Friday night bar scene appeared in the Feb. 8, 2007 edition of the Contra Costa Times, in which the Kurt Ribak Trio is described as "delicious."


    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.

    To get off the mailing list, just click UnsubscribeGiglist and include the address you want dropped from the mailing list in the body of the message.
     

    site map page

    Gig announcement archives

    2007 gigs
    May '07 gigsApril '07 gigs March '07 gigsFebruary '07 gigs January '07 gigs

    2006 gigs
    december '06 gigs november '06 gigs October '06 gigs September '06 gigs August '06 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 gigsNovember '05 gigsOctober '05 gigsSeptember '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
    February November February September August July June May May March February February
     

    Music Videos - Old and Not So...

    Reg Kehoe and his Marimba Queens
    (better file) or YouTube version. The whole thing is something else! The first site has a much bigger file but it is a longer clip.

    see... banjo does get the ladies all hot and bothered - check out this Eddie Peabody video

    X
    These guys were my favorite rock 'n roll band back in the day
    See How We Are


    The one and only... The Cramps! These guys have some brilliant videos.
    Ultra Twist - it's warped and dumb but I love it!
    Like a Bad Girl Should
    Garbageman

    Put Down the Duckie - Sesame Street
    Rubber Ducky - Sesame Street

    Superstition - a burning version by Stevie Wonder on Sesame Street

    Cardboard Upright Bass

    Other videos

    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

    of mice and noses

    Hello Cthulhu is what happens when you cross Hello Kitty with H.P. Lovecraft, with a special holiday greeting from Hello Cthulhu.

    Jack Sheldon's "Jazz Christmas" is a seasonal gem.

    And here is comic Rob Paravonian's rant about Pachelbel's Canon in D - great stuff if like me you are deeply sick of Pachelbel's Canon.

    Bush Pilot - thanks to my pal David Javelosa for forwarding this to me.
     
     

    My Bald Head

    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


     
     


    photo: Susan Bigger

    photo: Mark Thomas

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