Ken Rabiroff, proud Sidekick
Ken Rabiroff has the roots of a longtime music lover ~ his first group was with his guitar-
teacher dad and his brothers. Their first gig, in L.A. at the Griffith Park Hootenanny,
featured dad and the boys playing guitar, banjo and autoharp along with folk and
bluegrass vocals.
In 5th grade, Ken joined his 6th-grade brother’s band The Renagades, playing Wipeout
and Pipeline along with Beatles songs. Ken was the lead singer and tambourine player!
By 8th grade, Ken was with new peers, performing songs by The Doors, Jimi Hendrix,
Janis Joplin and more. These four young bandmates have all become accomplished
musicians.
High school found Ken in the San Francisco Bay Area, immersed in the music of the
‘60s: Grateful Dead, Jimmy Hendrix, Sons of Champlin, Crosby Stills & Nash, and more.
His musical path then led Ken to jazz: Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker.
In the early ‘80s, Ken heard of an amazing music festival at Camp Mather near
Yosemite. Like so many of us who discovered this magical musical alternate reality ~
the Strawberry Way ~ Ken made the pilgrimage in spring and fall from then on.
Strawberry brought Ken back to his folk roots, enriched by his other musical influences.
So Ken is back this year, happy to support Kim Alexander (along with Mokai Blue and
Cris Johnson) with the Learning to Jam workshop. Ken will also be teaching Guitar Tips
and Tricks with longtime friend and Camp All Y’All-ian Mokai.
Ken thinks of guitar playing as lead, rhythm and bass all rolled into one, ready to serve
the music. He loves to study and practice, but when a jam starts he will dive into the
experience and just play.
Ken looks forward to sharing his passion and guitar skills with you at the workshops!
Ken’s current and recent musical groups include: Marty Cohen and the Sidekicks (with
Marty, Jeff Sears, Tony Galioto), Tamara Phelan Trio (with Tamara and Steve McLean),
Loose Acoustic Trio (with Richie Lawrence and Ken Cooper), The Pinecones (with Vicki
Lee, Bob Woods and Chris Ivey), and assorted friendly jam groups.
