PORT TOWNSEND — Grammy Award-winner Nancy Rumbel will return to Port Townsend to perform with local harpist David Michael and Benjy Wertheimer for a concert at 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
The concert will be at the Unity Spiritual Enrichment Center at 3918 San Juan Ave. in Port Townsend.
Admission is $20 in advance from Brown Paper Tickets, bpt.me/e/4327438, and $25 at the door.
The concert will mark their debut CD release as a trio, “Confluence,” a World Fusion album featuring the rarely-heard combination of oboe, Celtic harp, tablas and instruments from around the globe.
This trio was brought together by Michael — known to regional residents for his ferryboat concerts between 1990 and 2007.
A composer and producer, he thought his recording artist days were over several years ago when his 24th CD of original music never turned a profit.
“It was certainly not my worst album but few people actually purchase music nowadays and streaming has wiped out most record companies,” Michael said.
But in 2017, he met and performed with Rumbel. A benefactor who attended the concert offered him a grant to create a CD with her, and wanted it to include Wertheimer — one of Michael’s long-time collaborators — known for his mastery of tablas and other instruments from around the world. Together, the trio recorded “Confluence,” which is now distributed internationally and will be available at the concert.
Best known for her work with guitarist Eric Tingstad, Rumbel honed her world-music, improvisational and recording skills as a member of the Paul Winter Consort in the 1970s and 1980s and has worked with Jami Sieber, David Lanz, Susan Osborn, Cris Williamson and Danny O’Keefe.
She has performed widely, from Carnegie Hall to the Feng Ya Ocarina Festival in China. Rumbel also composed the theme song for the syndicated radio show Bird Note, heard by more than 2 million listeners daily.
Michael’s music has been featured on syndicated radio shows, network television and in nature films.
His 17-year run as the “ferryboat harpist” was abruptly capsized in 2007 because of “homeland security” concerns, touching off an international media storm.
He also has toured Europe, performing in castles, cultural centers and in the walking streets of Scandinavia.
International performer/recording artist, Wertheimer is a pioneer of World Fusion music and is accomplished on tabla, assorted percussion, esraj, guitar and keyboards.
He has long worked with tabla master Zakir Hussain, opened for Carlos Santana and scored music for network TV.
For more information, call 360-301-4451.
