You can buy the Kurt Ribak Trio CD online at CDBaby, at Musicians Union Local 6, and at Tower Records online. Go to my CD page for more info.
Wed., May 25 at 1 PM Kurt was interviewed on KCSM-FM 91.1 FM by Michael Burman. I got a lot of comments from folks who tuned in. Thanks, everyone! The Kurt Ribak Trio CD has now been played several times on KCSM.
Michael Burman, the KCSM-FM announcer, 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.
Calendar - Upcoming Gigs NOTE: Gigs are often added, canceled, or rescheduled at the last minute. You are welcome to call or e-mail me to confirm performance dates and times. The gigs below are an incomplete list and do not include private engagements.
Tuesday, August 30, 7:00 to 10:00 PM - and every Friday
Lorna K - jazz vocals
House of Shields
39 New Montgomery
(South of Market, between 2nd and 3rd Streets)
San Francisco, CA
no cover
21 and over
This is a lovely old bar and grill, founded 1908. It's right across from the Palace Hotel and is right by the Montgomery Street BART station. It's an easy place to have an after-work drink if you work downtown. Lorna has been trying out some very different arrangements. If you haven't heard her in a while, you might want to give her a fresh listen. Michael Groh is on electric guitar, and is dropping a lot of rock and blues licks into Lorna's material.
Wednesday, August 31, 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 coverWe 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.
Thursday, Sept. 1 - 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM - and every Thursday in September
Kurt Ribak Trio - original jazz
Andrew Jaeger's House of Seafood and Jazz at the Condor
Broadway x. Columbus, SF, CAThis gig will feature piano powerhouse Fred Harris and Brian Carmody on drums. Fred and I used to play together with Khevan Onaje back in the early days of Club Deluxe, at the dawn of the swing revival. Andrew Jaeger's House of Seafood is in the old Condor strip club. No more stripping, though. The giant TVs and sports broadcasts of the most recent incarnation of the Condor, as a sport bar, is also gone. Andrew Jaeger is a New Orleans - style chef who is keeping his New Orleans restaurant running as well.
The food is really good and I really like the staff and management, who have all come from New Orleans. This is a great place to hang out and watch people go by while having a drink, eating some great New Orleans food, and hearing some jazz. This is a place I plan to come to on my own time and my own dime. We will be here every Thursday in September - and hope to stay beyond that!
Friday, Sept. 2, noon to 1:00 PM
Kurt Ribak Quartet - Original jazz
101 California -
San Francisco, CA
freeThis will be a rare appearance of my quartet, which will feature Hal Richards on woodwinds and have a full rhythm section with me on bass, Greg Sankovich on keys and Tim Solook on drums. If you work in the Financial District this should be a pretty easy gig to make - it's during most people's lunch time, and it's a free outdoor show in the Financial District. It's part of the Market Street Association's People in Plazas series.
Friday, Sept. 2, 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
Greg Sankovich will be on piano, with Kevin Mummey on drums - the usual suspects on these gigs. If you haven't heard this lineup you should really check it out - we're getting into some very interesting musical territory.
Tip - to best hear the band you should have drinks in the bar or make a dinner reservation in the bar.
Saturday, Sept. 3, 9:00 to 11:30 PM
Kurt Ribak Trio - Original jazz
and Lorna K - jazz vocals
Downtown
http://www.downtownrestaurant.com
2102 Shattuck Ave.,
at Addison St.
Berkeley, CA 95012
ph:1-510-649-3810
all ages
no coverThe Kurt Ribak Trio will be splitting sets with vocalist Lorna K, backing her during her portion of the sets. The trio will be Kurt on bass, Greg Sankovich on piano and Tim Solook on drums. Downtown is a high-quality restaurant in downtown (natch) Berkeley. The folks running it include alumni of Bay Wolf and Chez Panisse.
A word about parking - as General Manager Mark McLeod notes, "The Center Street Garage (150 yards west of us) closes tight as a drum at midnight. Don't park in there and then forget to get your car out in a timely fashion."
Sun., Sept. 4, 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
Here's a shot of the band taken from the bar at Chaya. Tim Solook is on drums. Yep, that's Kurt on bass.
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. 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.
Tuesday, Sept. 6, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Lorna K - jazz vocals
House of Shields
39 New Montgomery
(South of Market, between 2nd and 3rd Streets)
San Francisco, CA
no cover
21 and over
This is a lovely old bar and grill, founded 1908. It's right across from the Palace Hotel and is right by the Montgomery Street BART station. It's an easy place to have an after-work drink if you work downtown. Lorna has been trying out some very different arrangements. If you haven't heard her in a while, you might want to give her a fresh listen. Michael Groh is on electric guitar, and is dropping a lot of rock and blues licks into Lorna's material.
Thursday, Sept. 8 - 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM - and every Thursday in September
Kurt Ribak Trio - original jazz
Andrew Jaeger's House of Seafood and Jazz at the Condor
Broadway x. Columbus, SF, CAThis gig will feature Greg Sankovich on piano and Randy Odell on drums. This venue is in the old Condor strip club. No more stripping, though. The giant TVs and sports broadcasts of the most recent incarnation of the Condor, as a sport bar, is also gone. Andrew Jaeger is a New Orleans - style chef who is keeping his New Orleans restaurant running as well.
The food is really good and I really like the staff and management, who have all come from New Orleans. This is a great place to hang out and watch people go by while having a drink, eating some great New Orleans food, and hearing some jazz. This is a place I plan to come to on my own time and my own dime. We will be here every Thursday in September - and hope to stay beyond that!
Friday, Sept. 9, 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
Andy Ostwald will be on piano, with Kevin Mummey on drums. Andy has a very different style from Greg Sankovich, the regular pianist on my gig, and it's always nice to hear his take on my tunes.
Tip - to best hear the band you should have drinks in the bar or make a dinner reservation in the bar.
Saturday, Sept. 10, 3:00 to 5:00 PM
Kurt Ribak Trio - Original jazz
Sonoma Plein Air outdoor art festival
http://www.sonomapleinair.com/
Historic Sonoma Plaza
Napa Street East and First Street
Free admissionThis is an exhibition and art sale benefiting art education programs for Sonoma youth. Per http://www.sonomapleinair.com/, "Fine art painted on location in Sonoma during the week will be on display and for sale. This venue offers art enthusiasts and collectors an opportunity to meet all 46 plein air artists." Plein Air art refers to art painted outdoors on location, from what I understand. The event starts at 10 Am and runs until 5 PM. Food and drink is available.
Skooter Fein turned me on to this gig and will be playing drums. Skooter and I played together in Section 8 Project back in the mid-1990s. Dave Casini will be on vibraphone. Dave and I play together regularly at Cato's in Oakland. It should be a pleasant gig - the historic plaza in Sonoma is a beautiful location - I often think about finding excuses to spend more time up there - and it's for a good cause.
Saturday, Sept. 10, 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.
Dave Casini will be on vibes, with Randy Odell on drums.
Wed., Sept. 14, 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Lorna K - jazz vocals
Shanghai 1930
http://www.shanghai1930.com/
133 Steuart Street, San Francisco, CA
San Francisco, CAI've played at Shanghai 1930 many times in the past with Lorna K. Shanghai 1930 is a beautiful restaurant. The food is top-notch Chinese food and differs from what you get in most Chinese restaurants.
Thursday, Sept. 15 - 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM - and every Thursday in September
Kurt Ribak Trio - original jazz
Andrew Jaeger's House of Seafood and Jazz at the Condor
Broadway x. Columbus, SF, CAThis gig will feature Greg Sankovich on piano. This venue is in the old Condor strip club. No more stripping, though. The giant TVs and sports broadcasts of the most recent incarnation of the Condor, as a sport bar, is also gone. Andrew Jaeger is a New Orleans - style chef who is keeping his New Orleans restaurant running as well.
The food is really good and I really like the staff and management, who have all come from New Orleans. This is a great place to hang out and watch people go by while having a drink, eating some great New Orleans food, and hearing some jazz. This is a place I plan to come to on my own time and my own dime. We will be here every Thursday in September - and hope to stay beyond that!
Friday, Sept. 16, 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
TBA on piano, with Kevin Mummey on drums.
Tip - to best hear the band you should have drinks in the bar or make a dinner reservation in the bar.
Tuesday, Sept. 20, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Lorna K - jazz vocals
House of Shields
39 New Montgomery
(South of Market, between 2nd and 3rd Streets)
San Francisco, CA
no cover
21 and over
This is a lovely old bar and grill, founded 1908. It's right across from the Palace Hotel and is right by the Montgomery Street BART station. It's an easy place to have an after-work drink if you work downtown. Lorna has been trying out some very different arrangements. If you haven't heard her in a while, you might want to give her a fresh listen. Michael Groh is on electric guitar, and is dropping a lot of rock and blues licks into Lorna's material.
Thursday, Sept. 22 - 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM - and every Thursday in September
Kurt Ribak Trio - original jazz
Andrew Jaeger's House of Seafood and Jazz at the Condor
Broadway x. Columbus, SF, CAThis gig will feature Greg Sankovich on piano. This venue is in the old Condor strip club. No more stripping, though. The giant TVs and sports broadcasts of the most recent incarnation of the Condor, as a sport bar, is also gone. Andrew Jaeger is a New Orleans - style chef who is keeping his New Orleans restaurant running as well.
The food is really good and I really like the staff and management, who have all come from New Orleans. This is a great place to hang out and watch people go by while having a drink, eating some great New Orleans food, and hearing some jazz. This is a place I plan to come to on my own time and my own dime. We will be here every Thursday in September - and hope to stay beyond that!
Friday, Sept. 23, 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
Greg Sankovich will be on piano, with Kevin Mummey on drums - the usual suspects on these gigs. If you haven't heard this lineup you should really check it out - we're getting into some very interesting musical territory.
Tip - to best hear the band you should have drinks in the bar or make a dinner reservation in the bar.
Saturday, Sept. 24, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Kurt Ribak Songwriter Project - acoustic duo - Original vocal songs
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 overThis 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.
This gig is going to be something new for me. I'm excited - and a little scared. Most of you who come to my shows know I write jazz instrumental tunes. But I also write some vocal tunes. They don't get heard - in part because I haven't had a venue to play them in. I've been focusing on my jazz writing and wanted that to be primarily instrumental. Alain Grissette, the booker at Jupiter, asked me if I could bring in an acoustic singer-songwriter duo. I had a couple of local writers I thought I could play with - then I thought - "Hey! This is a chance to play y vocal tunes!" It will also spur me to finish several songs that are about 80% done but aren't quite finished.
Wednesday, Sept. 28, 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 coverWe 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.
Thursday, Sept. 29 - 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM - and every Thursday in September
Kurt Ribak Trio - original jazz
Andrew Jaeger's House of Seafood and Jazz at the Condor
Broadway x. Columbus, SF, CAThis gig will feature Greg Sankovich on piano. This venue is in the old Condor strip club. No more stripping, though. The giant TVs and sports broadcasts of the most recent incarnation of the Condor, as a sport bar, is also gone. Andrew Jaeger is a New Orleans - style chef who is keeping his New Orleans restaurant running as well.
The food is really good and I really like the staff and management, who have all come from New Orleans. This is a great place to hang out and watch people go by while having a drink, eating some great New Orleans food, and hearing some jazz. This is a place I plan to come to on my own time and my own dime. We will be here every Thursday in September - and hope to stay beyond that!
Friday, Sept. 30, 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
Greg Sankovich will be on piano, with Kevin Mummey on drums - the usual suspects on these gigs. If you haven't heard this lineup you should really check it out - we're getting into some very interesting musical territory.
Tip - to best hear the band you should have drinks in the bar or make a dinner reservation in the bar.
Below are a couple of recent photos of the band, including Randy, Johannes, and Greg.
photos: Steven Soshea
You can check out mp3s of my music at http://www.ribak.com/mp3s.html
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