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With Karen Ashbrook (KAPO)

Paul and KarenI play a lot of music with my wife, the lovely and talented Karen Ashbrook, who plays hammered dulcimer and wooden flute.  You can see some video of us:

Here we are
in gigging mode
in our natural habitat
We only rarely play for dances as a duo ( and then we call it "Melodious Thunk"), but here's a video of just that, a nice cozy little dance in a parish hall at Saint Michaels, where we occasionally spend a weekend at the house of friends, overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. Great place to be away from it all and work on some new music.

We often have percussionist Steve Bloom back us up, and then we're called Pavilion Three.
(performance at the Kennedy Center - YouTube video)

Karen and I also play in a contradance band called Cabaret Sauvignon. Andrea Hoag plays fiddle and David Wiesler plays piano. (performances at the Kennedy Center Millennium stage - YouTube video)

Check out our new "Karen Ashbrook & Paul Oorts (KAPO)" Public Facebook Page!

Here's a couple of pictures  of a recent gig, the Twelfth Night ball at the Riversdale Mansion, with caller, Jim Wass.  Quelle élégance!




"What a treat to have you and Paul with us.  I was wowed by your selection of music and musicianship and the gracious way you both contributed to our festival.  I really enjoyed sitting in on Paul’s class too.  Thanks so much for joining us this year. "
Norm Williams,  Pocono Winter Dulcimer Fest, 2016

Your set was foot tapping, knee slapping darn incredible music.  I was taken to other times and places and was glued to my computer.  Thank you sooo much!  It was good for my soul!  B.D. student at Common Ground on the Hill, which went online because of Covid 19