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

September 2007 Gigs


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

site map page

Online Press Kit
bio
profile by Michael Burman
musical styles and influences
photo
mp3s

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.  The new CD 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 recordings 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!
 

NOTICE: The Bay Bridge will be closed in both directions from 8pm Friday, August 31 to 5am Tuesday, September 4. If you're trying to get into the city from the East Bay Labor Day weekend, use the Golden Gate or mass transit. NOTICE more info


Sun., Sept. 2, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM - and each Sunday of September
Kurt Ribak Trio - Original jazz
Legion of Honor Cafe
Legion of Honor Museum
cafe info

Lincoln Park
34th Avenue & Clement Street
San Francisco, CA 94121
415.750.3600
Reservations recommended: 415.750.7633

We will be playing as part of series of special events at the Legion of Honor Cafe every Sunday in September.  Enjoy a prix-fixe brunch at the Cafe.  Sunday brunch service begins at 11 am, with the final seating at 2 pm. Price, which includes museum admission, is $48 ($43 Members) for adults and $21 for children under 12. Brunch guests may tour the galleries at their leisure or join in one the docent tours beginning at 1:30 (make reservations no later than 11:30 a.m. to guarantee time for the docent tour).

Greg Sankovich will be on piano, and Hal Richards on woodwinds.


Sun., Sept. 2, 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, with Matt Willis on drums.

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!

This gig is very accessible by public transit.  It is near the F Market streetcar line (It's a black and a half away from Market) and the Embarcadero BART station.  It is also very close to the Ferry Building.  The ferry can be a wonderful way to get to and from San Francisco.  I strongly encourage people to use any of these means for getting to the gig.  For those of you in the East Bay, this is a very easy gig to get to  by public transit.  Besides, this way you don't need to worry so much about having a few drinkies!

 sidewalk view

Above: Chaya offers a great view of the Bay Bridge.


NOTICE: The Bay Bridge will be closed in both directions from 8pm Friday, August 31 to 5am Tuesday, September 4. If you're trying to get into San Francisco from the East Bay Labor Day weekend, use the Golden Gate or mass transit. NOTICE more info



Thursday, Sept. 6, 8:00 PM 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


Gerry Grosz will be on vibraphone, with Rob Hart on drums.


Friday, Sept. 7, 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

prima front

Tip - to best hear the band you should have drinks in the bar or make a dinner reservation in the bar. Hal Richards is on woodwinds, with Tim Fox on guitar.
 


Sat., Sept. 8, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

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.  Fred Harris will be on keyboards, with Rob Hart on drums.

This gig is very accessible by public transit.  It is near the F Market streetcar line (It's a black and a half away from Market) and the Embarcadero BART station.  It is also very close to the Ferry Building.  The ferry can be a wonderful way to get to and from San Francisco.  I strongly encourage people to use any of these means for getting to the gig.  For those of you in the East Bay, this is a very easy gig to get to  by public transit.  Besides, this way you don't need to worry so much about having a few drinkies!


 sidewalk view Monica and bass employee retention program


Sun., Sept. 9, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM - and each Sunday of September
Kurt Ribak Trio - Original jazz
Legion of Honor Cafe
Legion of Honor Museum
cafe info

Lincoln Park
34th Avenue & Clement Street
San Francisco, CA 94121
415.750.3600
Reservations recommended: 415.750.7633

We will be playing as part of series of special events at the Legion of Honor Cafe every Sunday in September.  Enjoy a prix-fixe brunch at the Cafe.  Sunday brunch service begins at 11 am, with the final seating at 2 pm. Price, which includes museum admission, is $48 ($43 Members) for adults and $21 for children under 12. Brunch guests may tour the galleries at their leisure or join in one the docent tours beginning at 1:30 (make reservations no later than 11:30 a.m. to guarantee time for the docent tour).

You can also get a less expensive regular cafe meal and still hear us just fine.  

Greg Sankovich will be on piano, with Rob Hart of the Rob Hart Trio on drums.




Sun., Sept. 9, 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Sand Dollar Restaurant
3458 Shoreline Hwy (Highway 1)
Stinson Beach, CA. 94970 
Tel: 415-868-0434
Fax: 415-868-8988 
Email: info@sanddollarrestaurant.com

This will be the same three musicians (me, Greg Sankovich, and Rob Hart) as will be playing at the Legion of Honor earlier that day, but on this gig drummer Rob Hart is the leader.  I've not played at this restaurant before, but it's a long established restaurant in Stinson Beach, so if you're looking for a road trip, this would make for a good reason to go.   Rob is an outstanding drummer.  The Sand Dollar is on the side of the road away from the ocean when you come into downtown (such as it is) Stinson Beach.


Rob notes: "This is an outdoor gig. The afternoon sun will be out, so it should be warm, but when the sun goes down it can also get a little chilly, bring a jacket or sweater."


Thursday, Sept. 13, 8:00 PM 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.

Greg Sankovich will be on keyboards, with Rob Hart on drums.

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


Friday, Sept. 14, 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

prima front

Tip - to best hear the band you should have drinks in the bar or make a dinner reservation in the bar. Hal Richards is on woodwinds, Robin Lewis is on guitar.
 


Sun., Sept. 16, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM - and each Sunday of September

Kurt Ribak Trio - Original jazz
Legion of Honor Cafe
Legion of Honor Museum
cafe info

Lincoln Park
34th Avenue & Clement Street
San Francisco, CA 94121
415.750.3600
Reservations recommended: 415.750.7633

We will be playing as part of series of special events at the Legion of Honor Cafe every Sunday in September.  Enjoy a prix-fixe brunch at the Cafe.  Sunday brunch service begins at 11 am, with the final seating at 2 pm. Price, which includes museum admission, is $48 ($43 Members) for adults and $21 for children under 12. Brunch guests may tour the galleries at their leisure or join in one the docent tours beginning at 1:30 (make reservations no later than 11:30 a.m. to guarantee time for the docent tour).

You can also get a less expensive regular cafe meal and still hear us just fine.  

Fred Harris will be on keyboards, with Hal Richards on woodwinds.



Thursday, Sept. 20, 8:00 PM 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.

Greg Sankovich will be on keyboards, with Jon Arkin on drums.

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


CANCELED THIS NIGHT ONLYFriday, September 21, 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 we will be playing a private party and will not be at Prima.  Guitarist Robin Lewis will be leading a trio instead.


Saturday, Sept. 22, 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
$5.00 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.

Band personnel is Dave Casini on vibes, the inimitable Johannes Mager on trombone, and Hal Richards is expected to play woodwinds, with Randy Odell as the drummer.
 

Sun., Sept. 23, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM - and each Sunday of September
Kurt Ribak Trio - Original jazz
Legion of Honor Cafe
Legion of Honor Museum
cafe info

Lincoln Park
34th Avenue & Clement Street
San Francisco, CA 94121
415.750.3600
Reservations recommended: 415.750.7633

We will be playing as part of series of special events at the Legion of Honor Cafe every Sunday in September.  Enjoy a prix-fixe brunch at the Cafe.  Sunday brunch service begins at 11 am, with the final seating at 2 pm. Price, which includes museum admission, is $48 ($43 Members) for adults and $21 for children under 12. Brunch guests may tour the galleries at their leisure or join in one the docent tours beginning at 1:30 (make reservations no later than 11:30 a.m. to guarantee time for the docent tour).

You can also get a less expensive regular cafe meal and still hear us just fine.  

Greg Sankovich will be on piano, with Jon Arkin on drums.


Monday, September 24, noon to 1:00 PM
Kurt Ribak Quintet - Original jazz
101 California - x. Market St.  
San Francisco, CA
free outdoor show - all ages

This will be a rare appearance of my quartet, which will feature Hal Richards on woodwinds, me on bass, Johannes Mager on trombone Greg Sankovich on keys and Jon Arkin 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.

 

Wednesday, September 26, 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, September 27, 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, September 28, 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

prima front

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.
 

Saturday, Sept. 29, 4:45 PM to 6:45 PM - NOTE EARLY TIME
Kurt Ribak  - Original Jazz
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 over

This 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.

Personnel on this gig is TBA.


Saturday, September 29, 8:00 to 11:00 PM
Kurt Ribak Trio - original jazz -
Servino
http://www.servino.com/ - directions, menu, etc.
9 Main Street Tiburon, CA 94920

servino front at night

Hal Richards will be on woodwinds, with Greg Sankovich on keyboards.

Servino has a strong neighborhood bar/restaurant quality to it - there are lots of regulars there.
It's a nice joint and a good hang.  It's on the same block as Sam's and Guaymas.
 
 

Sun., Sept. 30, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM - and each Sunday of September
Kurt Ribak Trio - Original jazz
Legion of Honor Cafe
Legion of Honor Museum
cafe info

Lincoln Park
34th Avenue & Clement Street
San Francisco, CA 94121
415.750.3600
Reservations recommended: 415.750.7633

We will be playing as part of series of special events at the Legion of Honor Cafe every Sunday in September.  Enjoy a prix-fixe brunch at the Cafe. Sunday brunch service begins at 11 am, with the final seating at 2 pm. Price, which includes museum admission, is $48 ($43 Members) for adults and $21 for children under 12. Brunch guests may tour the galleries at their leisure or join in one the docent tours beginning at 1:30 (make reservations no later than 11:30 a.m. to guarantee time for the docent tour).

You can also get a less expensive regular cafe meal and still hear us just fine.  

Greg Sankovich will be on piano, with Jon Arkin on drums.



SPECIAL CONCERT - CD Release - Sun., September 30, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Kurt Ribak Trio  -  Original Jazz
First United Methodist Church
http://www.pointrichmond.com/methodist/
201 Martina St., Point Richmond, CA
Ten dollar offering requested

fumc spire

My trio will be doing a jazz concert (as opposed to a restaurant or nightclub date), with Greg Sankovich on piano and Jon Arkin on drums. I've played services at First United Methodist for a few years now. I really like this church - the church itself is very nice in a simple unassuming way, and the acoustics are excellent.

This should be an especially good event - we won't have to worry about drunks drowning out the music, etc. It'll be a chance to just dig in and play.  We will feature tunes off the new CD, "more."  We will be offering copies of the CD for sale at a special price lower than anywhere else.


Select October Dates


Fri., Oct. 5 - 1 PM & 4:15 PM
Sat., Oct. 6 -12:15 PM & 3:30 PM
Sun., Oct. 7 - 11:30 AM & 2:45 PM
Kurt Ribak Trio - Original Jazz

American Art Festival
http://www.americanartfestivals.com/
Additional information about the Sacramento Show
Entrance at 14th and J Streets
Sacramento Convention Center
Sacramento, CA

Hours: Friday Noon – 9pm, Saturday 10am -7pm, Sunday 10am - 5pm
Tickets at the Door - $8.00 Adults, $7.00 Seniors,
Children under 12 Free

I'll be leading a quartet featuring trombonist Johannes Mager. I worked with him in Section 8 Project and in Make*A*Circus. Randy Odell will be on drums and Greg Sankovich on piano. We look forward to sharing the stage with our friends Kathy and Ray Elzey of Gardenia Azul and the GG Amos blues band.

  
CD Release Party!
Friday, October 12, 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Kurt Ribak Trio - original jazz

The Berkeley Hillside Club
www.hillsideclub.org
2286 Cedar Street
Berkeley 94709
Info: (510) 845-1350

This is our debut at the historic Berkeley Hillside Club, an historic social and cultural club.  It's in a lovely building designed by John White, Bernard Maybeck's business partner.  The acoustics here are excellent and the piano is outstanding as well.  The Hillside Club is undergoing a period of revitalization and I encourage Berkeley residents to consider joining the club.

Greg Sankovich will be on piano, more details to follow.

  

CD Release Party!

Sunday, Oct. 28 - 3 PM to 6 PM
Kurt Ribak - original jazz

Armando's
http://www.martinezvibes.com/armandos
707 Marina Vista
Martinez, CA

Pianist Greg Sankovich and I will be playing Armando's, celebrating the release of the new Kurt Ribak Trio CD, "more." We will probably have some choice guests sharing the stage as well.  

Armando's is a great space.  It's a real grassroots kind of place.  Roy De Forest and Eloise Cotton as well as others have put a huge amount of work into making this a vital place for music.

It's a funky arty coffeehouse, but in the best way.  Roy is a fine artist, for one thing, so the art doesn't suck.  Secondly, Eloise Cotton has been booking some great music into the place.  We play here cuz the vibe is great and we want to be a part of bringing more quality live music to Martinez and the area.
 This place is essential to there being an arts and music scene in Martinez, and bless 'em for doing it.  Come on out - it's worthwhile and fun.  How can you beat that?


Sunday, October 28, 7 PM to 10:30 PM
Kurt Ribak Trio - Original Jazz

The Riptide
http://www.riptidesf.com
3639 Taraval @ 47th Ave.
San Francisco, CA
No Cover

Riptide sign

Yes, after playing at Armando's we will be heading out to the edge of the Pacific Ocean to play a gig at The Riptide.

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 will be playing there the previous Sunday, April 15, with The Cottontails.  We're looking forward to the gig. They have good cheap drinks, folks are friendly, it's an easy place to hang out - how can you lose?

We had a large contingent from the South End Rowing Club show up last time.  My brethen and sistren from the club know how to party as well as how to swim, row, and play handball.  They had a ball.

This is a good, old-fashioned bar.  Not a bistro, not a coffeehouse with a liquor license, but a bar.  They book a lot of good music there, but it's a comfy, slightly funky pla
ce.

We hope to have some friends sit in as well.  More info later
.
 
 
41 chevy kustom rear
Check out the the chopped, molded, pinstriped Chevy kustom parked in front of the Riptide.

martinis and paychecks


The above is an example of why musicians love playing at Chaya.....



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


Quotes about Kurt -
"Hugging Kurt is a like a big bear with no hair" - Monica, age 5, to her father

"Kurt is my new favorite Super-Hero. He rules the world!" - Megan, who is a bit older

"You're the bass player?!  We thought you were the bouncer!" - two female patrons at Andrew Jaeger's


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

writer's block

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
June '07 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

Back to Home