PORT TOWNSEND — Pianist Jim Nyby, joined by his wife Kellie, will explore blues, folk, country and Gospel songs when they perform Thursday evening at Trinity United Methodist Church, located at 609 Taylor St.
The concert is the latest edition of the church’s ongoing Candlelight Concert series.
The performance will highlight Nyby on a Czechoslovakian Petrof grand piano while singing solo vocals and several duets with his wife.
Nyby also will be joined on stage by Bruce Cannavaro on bass, Kurt Munnich on drums, Joy Qualey on sax and Dave Meis on steel guitar.
The program will include a number of musical selections written by Stephen Foster, Irving Berlin, Merle Haggard and Tom Waits.
Doors are set to open at 6:30 p.m.
Admission is by the suggested donation of $10 donation with children admitted for free.
The proceeds from this concert will benefit The Boiler Room, a nonprofit social-services organization located at 711 Water St.
Amy Howard, Boiler Room executive director, will speak about the nonprofit during the concert.
Refreshments will be served following the performance.
Plunking around
Nyby said he began his musical career by “plunking around” on the family piano at the age of 3. His mother was from the southern states and, though not a musician, had a deep passion for music, he said.
He said his early fondness for all kinds of music was influenced by his family’s musical tastes along with their record collections and listening to popular music on the radio.
“One of my biggest influences has turned out to be American singer-songwriter and composer, Tom Waits,” Nyby said.
“I could easily do an entire concert of just his songs.”
Nyby does not compose original music, although “I have tried,” he said.
“I’m just too distracted by the rich catalog of popular song that’s already out there. Nothing excites me more than rediscovering an old forgotten song and attempting to breathe new life into it.”
Nyby grew up in the Los Angeles area. It was there he met his wife, who had moved from Seattle to Hollywood to work in the film industry.
In 1990, the couple moved to Port Townsend. They now have three children: Nik, Clara and Ivan.
Nyby has worked for the Jefferson County Library since 1992.
Moonlighting as a musician, Nyby began attending and gradually participating in open mic sessions around town, he said, singing and playing piano.
He was a regular at the Upstage before its recent closure.
In 2000, he began playing at the Ajax Café, and still performs there frequently.
He’s played in several bands, including Joel Levy’s jazz group Café Combo, and country stalwarts The Steel Madronas.
In 2005, after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, Nyby formed his own band, Jim Nyby & the F Street Band, and organized a benefit show for the victims of the natural disaster.
Call 360-774-1644 for more information.
