CD Purchases - Buy the @#$! CD
You can buy the Kurt Ribak Trio CD online at CDBaby,
and at Musicians Union Local 6.
Meatspace Purchases
You can also buy the CD at Down Home Music, 10341 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA, and at Groove Yard, 5555 Claremont Avenue Oakland, CA 94618. Go to my CD page for more info.
Downloads - CD
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.
Live downloads
You can go to BayTaper.com 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.
The Next Kurt Ribak Trio CD
We plan to have the next CD out in the fall. We're still working on the art and packaging.
T-Shirts
Kurt Ribak Trio t-shirts are in. 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 XL and men's from small to XXL. 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.
Radio Interview, profile and bio
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. The Kurt Ribak Trio debut CD has enjoyed repeated airplay on KCSM.
NOTE: Gigs are often added, canceled, or rescheduled at the last minute. Personnel may also change between the listing of an event and the performance. You are welcome to call or e-mail me to confirm performance details. The gigs below are an incomplete list and do not include private engagements or recording sessions.
Wed., August 23 - 6 to 9 PM
Hal Richards / Kurt Ribak duo
Pasta Pomodoro
181 Ranch Drive
Milpitas, CA 95035
tel: (408) 582-0160
all ages
free
I regularly play with Hal in my own group. Here we'll do my tunes, some standards, and maybe some classical stuff. If you live in the South Bay this is an easy way to hear us - besides, the food's good. According to Pasta Pomodoro, they are "conveniently located in the McCarthy Ranch Shopping Center (near Wal-Mart)."
Friday, August 25, 7:00 to 10:00
PM - and every Friday
Greg Sankovich Trio - NOT the Kurt Ribak Trio - 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
KURT WILL NOT BE AT THIS GIG. I have a commitment to play some dates backing a singer-songwriter, Andra Moran from Nashville. This will be the second time ever that I am missing a Prima date in the three years I've been there. I don't have any details on the songwriter gig, unfortunately, but will be playing some dates with her from Friday 8/25 through Sunday, 8/27. I will be back with the band at Prima the following Friday.
Tip - to best hear the band you should have drinks in the bar or make a dinner reservation in the bar. Carla Kaufman will be on bass. Greg Sankovich is on piano, with Tim Solook on drums.
Wednesday,
Aug. 30, 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.
Thursday, Aug. 31, 7:30 to 10:30 PM
Kurt Ribak Trio - original jazz
Baltic Restaurant
http://www.balticsquarepub.com/
135 Park Place, Point Richmond, CA 94801
510-237-4pub
The Baltic Restaurant is back. It was closed for a couple of years. It's an old restaurant (founded circa 1906) with lots of character. I'll be with noted local vibraphonist Gerry Grosz and Tim Solook on drums.
Friday, Sept. 1, 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. Kurt's on bass, with Greg Sankovich on piano and Tim Solook on drums.
Sat., Sept. 2, 10:00 AM to noon
AM
The pickPocket Ensemble - original music
Live Radio Broadcast - West Coast Live - KALW 91.7 FM
I'll be playing with the pickPocket Ensemble playing their original mix of gypsy music, Central European Music, Cabaret, and jazz. Rick Corrigan is the leader and composer, with Chloe Allen on violin (I played with her my first summer in Make*A*Circus!), Tim Fox on guitar (I played with him in Fox & Cats), and Katja Cooper on percussion. I played with these guys at a wedding last April - it was big fun. We'll be playing a couple of tunes as part of the radio show.
Sun., Sept. 3, 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.
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. 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.
Friday, Sept. 8, 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 Jon Arkin on drums.
Saturday, Sept. 9, 3:00 to 5:00
PM
Skooter Fein Trio - Original jazz and standards
Sonoma Plein Air outdoor art festival
http://www.sonomapleinair.com/
Historic Sonoma Plaza
Napa Street East and First Street
Free admission
This 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. Tyler Blanton will be on vibraphone. Tyler has played with my trio at Cato's in Oakland and at the Albatross. 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.
Sun., Sept 10, 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
First United Methodist Church Jazz Service,
with Rev. Dan Damon
First United Methodist Church
http://www.pointrichmond.com/methodist/
201 Martina St., Point Richmond, CA
I've played services at First United for a number of years now. I really like this church. Rev. Dan Damon is a good person and has written many fine hymns. He is also a jazz pianist who plays every Tuesday at the Baltic in downtown Pt. Richmond. I really like this church - I like the congregation, the church itself is very nice in a simple unassuming way, and the acoustics are excellent.If you're looking for a spiritual place, this is a good place to go. All are welcome - and at this church they mean it! I believe my friends saxophonist / clarinetist Tom Griesser and singer Sheilani Alix will be on this gig.
Mon., Sept. 11, 8 PM to 9 -ish PM
Lorna K - jazz vocals
Hillside Club
Berkeley, CA
This will be a private function. I wanted to let folks know that Lorna K is still performing, although it's been a quiet year for her. She has been working on a new recording of her material. The wonderful guitarist Tony Marcus, that compendium of classic jazz licks and fashion plate of vintage clothes, will also be on the gig. On this gig I will be known as "the short guy playing bass." Collectively there will be 19 feet of musicians onstage!
Wed., Sept. 13 - 6 to 9 PM
Hal Richards / Kurt Ribak duo
Pasta Pomodoro
181 Ranch Drive
Milpitas, CA 95035
tel: (408) 582-0160
all ages
free
I regularly play with Hal in my own group. Here we'll do my tunes, some standards, and maybe some classical stuff. If you live in the South Bay this is an easy way to hear us - besides, the food's good. According to Pasta Pomodoro, they are "conveniently located in the McCarthy Ranch Shopping Center (near Wal-Mart)."
Friday, Sept. 15, 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. Andy Ostwald is on piano, with Jon Arkin on drums. Andy has a great feel that is lyrical yet has a strong groove. His style is very different from pianist Greg Sankovich but he brings a great approach to the music, showing new facets to familiar tunes.
Friday, Sept. 22, 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 Tim Solook on drums.
Sat., Sept. 23, 6:00 to 9:00
PM
Kurt Ribak Trio - original jazz
private party - Oakland
I'll be playing a private party with Robin Lewis on guitar.
Wednesday,
Sept. 27, 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.
Thursday, Sept. 28, 8:00 & 10:00
PM sets
Veronica Klaus - jazz vocals, torch songs, and R&B -
Jazz at Pearl's
Jazz at Pearl's
256 Columbus Ave., San Francisco, CA 94133
415-291-8255
Per Veronica's site - "Veronica and her all-star band return to San FranciscoÕs premiere jazz club with candle-lit 1930s speakeasy ambience, top jazz acts and lush cocktails, making this legendary Jazz Club your perfect getaway for a romantic date: a room intimate enough to be your lavish Hollywood classic movie living room."
Back in the day I met Veronica when I was playing the Club Deluxe. I've played with her off and on over the years. She has gotten a sizable following both for her club and concert dates and for her one-person show "Family Jewels," which described her growing up and her decision to become a woman. Veronica was voted "Best Chanteuse" by the SF Bay Guardian and has received several other awards. There was a large profile piece on her recently in the SF Chronicle - read it here.
Friday, Sept. 29, 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 Tim Solook on drums.
Sun., Oct. 1, 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.
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. 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.
"One of the perks of being an unemployed musician is that you get to
play much less bad music."
Jack Daney
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.
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.
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.
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2006 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 gigs
November '05 gigs
October '05 gigs
September '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
December
December
December
September
August
July
June
May
May
March
February
January
And for something just plain weird, we have 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
Hello Cthulhu is what happens when you cross Hello Kitty with H.P. Lovecraft.
Bush Pilot - thanks to my pal David Javelosa for forwarding this to me.
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.
