Marc Ribot is an American guitarist and composer whose eclectic blend of jazz, rock, and experimental music has made him a distinctive and influential figure in the contemporary music scene. Ribot was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1954 and began his career as a session musician in the 1980s, playing guitar for various artists across genres. His flexible and inventive playing quickly garnered him recognition, and he became a sought-after collaborator for artists such as Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, and John Zorn.

Ribot's solo career is marked by a restless creativity and a commitment to political and social commentary. His recent albums reflect a deep engagement with current events and historical struggles for justice. "Songs Of Resistance 1942 - 2018," released in 2018, for example, is a collection of anti-fascist and protest songs that draws from various international traditions to confront contemporary political issues. In this project and others, such as "YRU Still Here?" with his group Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog, Ribot channels his pointed political consciousness into a raw and expressive sound. "Bella Ciao (Goodbye Beautiful)" and "The Militant Ecologist (based on Fischia II Vento)" are tracks from "Songs Of Resistance" that showcase Ribot’s engagement with global resistance movements, while "What I Did On My Long 'Vacation'" is a more personal musical reflection from the artist. Through collaborations and solo projects alike, Ribot continues to push the boundaries of genre, making music that is inventive, impactful, and always deeply human.

Genres

Experimental Guitar

Tzadik

Related Artists

Tom Waits

Bill Frisell

John Zorn

Lou Reed

Willie Nelson

Caetano Veloso

The National

James Brown

David Byrne

Elvis Costello

Mogwai

Marianne Faithfull

Latest Release

Connection

Marc Ribot

Album - 10 Tracks - Released July 14, 2023