What started as a conversation about the universal language of music transformed into a focused 2 year journey, incorporating 50+ artists across multiple continents. Based in Portland, OR and touring internationally, flugelhorn & trumpet player Max Ribner has assembled an all-star cast of players who create the thematic storytelling entitled 1st Language.

This 11 song album features artists such as:

Bobby Sparks II - Keys (Roy Hargrove, Snarky Puppy)
Jarrod Lawson - Vocals, Keys
Mark Lettieri - Guitar (Snarky Puppy)
Saeeda Wright - Vocals (Prince)
Sharay Reed - Bass (Chaka Kahn, Kirk Franklin)

Starting from simple melodic mantras, 1st Language flows with the complexity brought by a full rhythm section, a 10 piece horn section, a 12 piece string section, an 8 person gospel choir and a 10 piece dance troupe from Ghana, Africa & Portland, OR. Max Ribner brings his unique voice and vision, drawing on the spontaneity of jazz, the arranging and orchestration of modern classical, and the reverence of universal spiritual music. After a year and a half of writing, arranging and tracking the album, the project caught the ear of Grammy winning mix engineer Ben Kane (D’angelo, PJ Morton, Emily King).

Completed in late 2020, amidst the din of COVID-19, national elections and an ongoing movement for equity and inclusion, 1st Language is a sonic calling together of our collective humanity.

01 1st Language

This ecstatic dance wave is dedicated to everyone who has been riding the emotional waves these days. To everyone who has been experiencing depression and feel isolated by it. To everyone who has some experiences they are ready to let go of, forgive and move on into life with a lighter heart and more love for themselves and the world.

StarTribe - A Wave of Forgiveness

Brief selections from my recorded work with other artists.

w/Ryan Montbleau - Draw The Line

Max and I met sometime around 2010-11 on the island of Maui both of us living with our dear friend Malka MaBlissa in Haiku. I remember him fresh out of college, young and bright, always doing pull-ups in the doorway, practicing the horn on the patio, smiling and eating healthy. Fast forward to 2023 and although his facial hair has grown out, as has mine, we both are very much the same deep inside at the core. On the emotional level, also both of us on a healing journey of the heart, and perhaps also still searching for both ourselves and our way to show up in this world, with out gifts and talents and instruments in tow. 

This set is a co-creation of our musical talents and sentiments as they stand today. I'm proud of where we have come, and the growth I've seen in us both. This was recorded live at the Asheville Movement Collective.

I hope you enjoy this collaboration, and perhaps there will be more like this to share in the future. With love and aloha ~ Micah aka Mikaya

Horns, Drums & Drops with Max Ribner {Ecstatic Dance set by MIKAYA}

All music is Name Your Price at http://thepolishambassador.com

Affordably LICENSE all Polish Ambassador and Jumpsuit Records music for Youtube videos and more. Email us at licensing@jumpsuitrecords.com to get some rad music for your videos! 

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Download ⚡️ Stream

Koyelia ft Peia

Enjoy this fresh sampler of Max Ribner Band's official 'Leap to Flame' album, released July, 2014.  

To purchase & explore, visit: www.MaxRibnerBand.com 

Max Ribner ~ Flugelhorn, Vocals, Piano, Co-Producer
Tim Ribner - Acoustic Piano, Keyboards 
Michael Dougherty - Bass
Joe Hall - Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Bibi Mcgill - Electric Guitar ( Watchu Say, Who Stole, Stream)
Samuel Eisen-Meyers - Electric Guitar ( Watchu Say, Sweet Drum, My Soul )
Jon Ramm Gramenz - Trombone 
Chelsea Luker - Sax, Flute, Vocals 
Saeeda Wright - Vocals
Ashley Seamster - Vocals 
Matthew Flowers - Vocals
Liv Warfield - Vocals, Spoken Word ( Watchu Say, Who Stole, Sweet Drum )
Tim Snider - Violin, Vocals
Chris Lay - Vocals ( My Soul )
Tyrone Hendrix - Drumset ( Mama Africa, Sweet Drum, Stream )
Brian Foxworth - Drumset ( Watchu Say, Who Stole, Gym n Juice )
Reinhardt Wolfgang Melz - Drumset ( My Soul, Moonfire )
Jeni Wren & Cascadia School Children - Vocals ( We be Happy)
Greg Johnson - Tenor Sax ( Moonfire, Stream)
Nick Werth - Vibraphone ( Watchu Say )
Jans Ingber - Hand Percussion, Vocals ( Watchu Say, Who Stole, My Soul)
Max ZT - Hammer Dulcimer, Kalimba ( Mama Africa, My Soul )
Porangui McGrew - Conga, Pandero, Woodblock ( Mama Africa, We be Happy )
Sweet Medicine - Spoken wisdom ( We be Happy )
Faisal - Cello  ( Mama Africa, Leap to Flame )
Ezza Rose - Spoken Word & Vocals  ( Gym n Juice )
Josh Lava - Keyboards ( Gym n Juice )
Devin Phillips - Saxophone ( Gym n Juice )
Patrick Lamb - Saxophone ( Watchu Say )
Steve Swatkins - Synth bass ( Watchu Say, Gym n Juice )
Tyler Smith - Acoustic Guitar, Aux. Percussion  ( Mama Africa, Sweet Drum)
Curtis Kidwell - Aux. Percussion ( Mama Africa, Sweet Drum )
Ramsey Embick - Keys  ( Watchu Say )
Jeanna Dickerson Collet - Vocals ( Moonfire )
Kristina Pescatore - Spoken Word ( Gym n Juice, Leap to Flame, One big Circle )
Michael Elson - synth bass ( Gym n Juice )
Rudy Slizewski - Aux Percussion ( Watchu Say, Who Stole, Mama Africa )

Produced by Max Ribner & Joe Hall
Recorded & Mixed by Joe Hall @ Camp Creek Records
Additional Recording / Engineering: Noah woodburn & Brandon Jiociona @ New North Sound. 
Additional Engineering : Scott Stanley @ Camp Creek Records 
Mastering: Dana White & Specialized Mastering 
Copyright Camp Creek Records / Max Ribner.  All Rights Reserved  
Album layout by Max Ribner & Bianka 
Printed at Bullseye Disk 


Leap To Flame   Sampler

What imagery, reflections & breakthroughs do you feel with this track?  

Check out the  album & updates @ www.MaxRibnerBand.com 

Sweet Drum - by Max Ribner Band

This is my Spring Equinox Gift to you. A sneak Peak from the upcoming 'Good Way-Thank You Sacred Water' Album to be released this May. This is a FREE DOWNLOAD!! Please Scope, Support and Share the IndieGoGo campaign to support this New Roots Music! Big Love, G4G!!
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/sara-tone-good-way-new-album-support/x/3982515
Track Features:
Sara Tone- Vocals and Acoustic Guitar
Tubby Love- Wah Guitar, Vocals, Organ and Keys
Will Lydgate- Bass and Engineering @ Steelgrass Studios
Ben Teters- Drums
Max Ribner- Flugel Horn
Sam Ravenna- Dub Mix
Joe Hall- Tracking @ Camp Creek Records 

Aloha 'Āina, Mahalo ke Akua
<3 <3 <3

01 1st Language

Max Ribner

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