Kurt Ribak | Bassist, Bandleader, Composer

The Hot Jazz Network Podcast

Great episode of the Hot Jazz Network Podcast with host George Cole taking time to converse with Kurt Ribak and learning a lot about him and his musical universe.

ABOUT KURT RIBAK:

Kurt describes his music as “Charles Mingus meets The Meters. They go to Duke Ellington’s house to jam, and Cachao and Thelonious Monk sit in.” Kurt has three albums as the Kurt Ribak Trio, and two more as Kurt Ribak. The albums feature his own compositions, which are original yet accessible.

Kurt grew up singing and playing classical music. He began playing jazz while attending UC Berkeley. After a battle with tendinitis, Kurt won scholarships to Berklee College of Music. He graduated with top honors and spent many hours mastering the styles of bassists Paul Chambers, Ray Brown, and Charles Mingus and discovering his love of composition and songwriting.

Kurt has shared the stage with circus performers, preachers and fire-breathing strippers, but never all three at once. He has performed in venues ranging from SFJAZZ and Yoshi’s to a club where someone surreptitiously stashed a loaded .45 in his bass bag while Kurt was playing .

In June 2012 Kurt was in an auto accident, seriously injuring his left hand and forearm. Thirteen operations and six years later he resumed playing full-time, much to the surprise of many surgeons. Kurt notes, “When I was hurt I learned how many people loved me, cared about me. That really helped me get back to playing."

Kurt's recordings are played on KCSM-FM, KPFA, KZFR, KKUP, San Diego's Jazz 88, PRI and other jazz stations. His band has sold out Yoshi’s and SFJAZZ. They have also performed at Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse, San Francisco Jazz Festival, San Jose Jazz Festival, Nor-Cal Jazz Festival, Fillmore Street Jazz Festival, and Blue Note Napa.

LINKS:

Website http://www.ribak.com/

Recordings https://songwhip.com/artist/kurt-ribak, https://songwhip.com/artist/kurt-ribak-trio

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kurt.ribak.music/

SF Jazz Profile: https://www.sfjazz.org/onthecorner/kurt-ribak-interview/

Spotify Artist Page https://open.spotify.com/artist/4SiI0WuOSFkkWdfp8LuTpw?si=PFZTcsrASma7FnDqdzKWGw

KURT RIBAK PERFORMANCES:

Dec. 24, 2024 (a Jazz Service) 7 PM at First United Methodist Church in the Point Richmond District of Richmond, 201 Martina St., Richmond, CA.

May 17, 2025 - Show at SFJAZZ in the Joe Henderson Lab.

Keep up on all things KURT RIBAK... go to http://www.ribak.com/gigs.html or email him at [e-mail]