Reviews of Kurt Ribak's recordings

Kurt Ribak Trio - debut CD coverKurt
              Ribak Trio "more" CD coverKurt Ribak Trio - "gone" CD cover I Got One More! cover 
 You can buy Kurt's recordings online at CDBaby.

Comments on Kurt Ribak's CD "I Got One More!"

"The album represents a triumph of the human spirit." - Lee Hildebrand, Music Critic for the San Francisco Chronicle and the East Bay Express. 
More comments by Lee Hildebrand are here.

"All morning I've been listening to Kurt Ribak's latest album titled "I Got One More!"  Can't get enough of the hook in "Fried Chicken" - and love those grooves on "Nancy Ellen" and ReConnexions." - Robin Roth, one of the top drummers in the SF Bay Area.

"I just downloaded the music from CDBaby and my head has been bopping and bouncing ever since. Really fun music and I know a few of the players of course, Michaelle, Alan, Lincoln. You know how to write a good tune, put a band together and, yeah, make it groove like no tomorrow. Thanks again, this is going in the folder for pick me up tunes." - Ariane Cap - famed bassist and educator

Scott Yanow's liner notes for "I Got One More!" are here. Scott Yanow is the author of 11 books, including The Great Jazz Guitarists, The Jazz Singers, Jazz On Film, and Jazz On Record 1917-76


Comments on the "more" CD by Chris Cortez, announcer and producer for KCSM-FM and drummer for the reggae band "Native Elements"

"...Kurt's ability to take you on a journey from the deepest waters of theCaribbean to the funky alleys of the urban jungle in one listening makes him a truly gifted original in my book."

"...listening to Kurt's writing and bass playing makes me feel happy not unlike Ray Brown's ability to put a smile on my face."


Comments on the CDs by Whit Browne, famed bassist and instructor at Berklee College of Music.

"Hey Kurt - received the trio CD's you sent. Sounds great ! Great trio playing that sounds tight. You've captured a lot of nice sounding grooves and moods reminiscent of some of the guys we all have been listening to. 

Whit said, "Some of the grooves that particularly stand out are on the "Trio" recording: 
"Finally Home" Monty Alexander trio with Ray Brown 
"Pseudo........" a la Ahmad Jamal 
"Swaying in the Breeze" - Red Garland trio groove 
"Obsessions" - Bill Evans trio broken time feel with Scott LaFaro 
"Roy" ala New Orleans 2nd line groove ..."Yeah! - all right" (I heard you)"
"The Munsters Have Martinis" --(I remember this one) melody sounds like Monk with a Mingus like bass solo." 


The "More" recording: 
"Jupiter Step" - nice big bass tone, reggae meets swing, Family Man Barrett meets Gene Harris"
"1/9/04" - the latin sounding melody sounds like a variation of "Little Suede Shoes" 
"Fool For Love" - haunting melody , C- (ma7)(9) or Ebmaj7+5 , nice chord."


Stephen L. Bigger, President, RockArbor Music, Director, Santa Cruz World Choir & Orchestra


I highly recommend Kurt Ribak as a musician, band leader, performer, and composer. His music is energetic, well crafted, wonderfully appropriate for a wide variety of events and applications, and is worthy of deeper study. His band is comprised of amazing musicians and performers in their own right. Every note they play is inspired and yet accessible to audiences of all ages and musical tastes.

 As an artist, Kurt Ribak is a refreshing participant in the list of artists you may know and love. He is a significant force in the industry today. Time will absolutely prove his compositions and arrangements will stand the test of time. His music is infinitely listenable, danceable, and enjoyable.

 I have known Kurt Ribak since 2003 while I was the Music Director for an East Bay Church. He played for weekly services and events- always on time, always with an amazing attitude, and always the consummate professional.

As a businessman in the entertainment industry, I am extremely proud of Kurt’s partnership in a variety of events, recordings, performances, and concerts I have produced over the past 8 years. He provided music for my recent wedding reception, and I have heard nothing but praise from the guests- many of whom are professional musicians, performers, and arts educators in their own right. The response was a resounding “thumbs up!” for his participation.

I urge you as promoter, club owner, event planner, music director, prospective wedding participant or coordinator to run… do not walk! to the phone and call or email Kurt Ribak immediately! Secure his services as soon as possible. I guarantee you will be pleased with whatever artistic or performance role you hire him to provide you.

Sincerely,

 Rock Arbor Music
          Logo

Stephen L. Bigger

President, RockArbor Music

Director, Santa Cruz World Choir & Orchestra

Extremely Satisfied Customer.

PO Box 3400

Santa Cruz, CA 95063

831-521-3470

slbigger@rockarbormusic.com



Michael Burman, KCSM - FM announcer

Michael played the Kurt Ribak Trio CD "gone" as part of his list of "some of my favorite recordings from 2009 ... just things that I enjoyed."


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.

E-mail me with any questions.

Kurt Ribak Trio - debut CD coverKurt
            Ribak Trio "more" CD coverKurt
            Ribak Trio - "gone" CD cover I Got One
            More! cover