By popular demand, the Richard Russell Group returns to Port Townsend to present a concert of World Fusion music on Saturday, May 31 at 4PM. The quintet features local Celtic harpist David Michael, and Grammy-Award winning woodwindist, Nancy Rumbel. Group leader, Russell plays the sarod, a 25-string, plucked, fretless instrument from India. The group is rounded out with Matt Weiss on cello, and Anil Prasad on tabla.
This Seattle-based ensemble was established in 2018 to explore what its founders envision as One World Music. The group colorfully bridges Eastern and Western music with a unique array of acoustic instruments, played by master musicians who are adept at improvisation. Drawing from Indian raga, jazz, ambient, and western classical musical styles, the result is a refined fusion of both serene meditations, up-tempo rhythms, and a wide range of energetic expressions.
Richard Russell is a long-time disciple of the renowned Indian maestro, Ali Akbar Khan. He began his study of Indian classical music more than 40 years ago, focusing on the sarod. He is also a skilled keyboardist, singer and a pioneer of World Fusion music. He was a member of the seminal World Fusion group Ancient Future as well as The Ali Akbar College Orchestra. A prolific composer, he has recorded and performed with numerous luminaries of Indian classical music as well as a wide range of western master musicians.
Nancy Rumbel is a Grammy-Award winning woodwind master and composer, internationally renowned for her oboe and English horn playing, as well as ocarina. With an extensive and impressive catalog of personal and collaborative recordings, her many credits include work with the famed Paul Winter Consort as well as her award-winning recordings with master guitarist, Eric Tingstad, and an extensive and varied list of musical greats.
Celtic harpist, David Michael, is a recording artist, composer, teacher, and multi-instrumentalist who has worked with Russell on and off for fifty years. Since 1990 he has resided in Port Townsend and has produced 26 CDs of original music, and has collaborated with master musicians such as Nancy Rumbel, Benjy Wertheimer, Steve Gorn, Jami Sieber, Michael Mandrell, Gwen Franz, and the late Randy Mead. His CDs have been featured on syndicated radio shows, cable & network television, documentaries and in nature films.
Anil Prasad is a virtuoso on tabla—the two-piece hand drum that is the signature percussion instrument in North Indian classical music. He has studied with the great maestro Zakir Hussain who represents the zenith of Indian drumming. Prasad also has a background in western drumming and his unique approach has established him as one of the most sought-after drummers in the Seattle area for concerts and recording projects varying from Indian classical to jazz and fusion.
Matt Weiss is a seasoned musician, equally proficient on violin, viola, and cello. He plays a wide range of genres including western, classical, jazz, pop, sacred, secular, and Eastern styles. He began violin at age four and was fortunate enough to take private lessons iin Japan from Dr. Suzuki himself. Matt performs regularly in the Seattle area and also conducts the Octavia Chamber Orchestra.
The Saturday afternoon concert will be held at Unity of Port Townsend, 3918 San Juan Ave at 4:00. Doors open at 3:40. Advance tickets online for $28 at
https://bit.ly/3GCeNir
or $33 at the door.
For more information, contact:
David Michael
Purnima Productions
360 301 4451
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or:
Richard Russell
206-886-8408
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Also check out other Music events in Port Townsend, Entertainment events in Port Townsend, Concerts in Port Townsend.
