PORT TOWNSEND — Robert Force first became known as a dulcimer virtuoso, then built a reputation as one of the first local educators to recognize the importance of technology instruction.
He expects that the current phase of his life, which began with a gradual return to performing and this month’s release of a retrospective CD, will encompass both music and learning.
“A lot of my life has been about learning and recharging,” Force, 61, said.
“There is now a tremendous amount of information in our brains, and I’d like to develop a way to be able to download some of it so it can benefit the next generation.”
The CD, “The Complete Recordings,” is drawn from six albums Force recorded with Albert d’Ossche between 1978 and 1988 and is released on his Blaine Street label (named for where he has lived in Port Townsend since 1978, the year of his first album).
PT in the 1970s
“Port Townsend in the 1970s had the same attraction as places like Santa Cruz, Calif., and Jerome, Ariz.,” Force said.
“It drew a lot of people who saw it as an affordable community and a place where they could be creative.
“People didn’t move here because they saw art as a way to make money but a way that they could pay the bills,” he said.
This trend has continued, although the city could benefit from an influx of younger artists, Force said.
Three strings
The dulcimer, which traditionally has three strings with two of them often tuned to the same note, predates the guitar and is, according to Force, one of two instruments indigenous to the United States (the other being the five-string banjo).
While downplaying his own importance, Force has been involved in several innovative ventures before they became popular or well-known.
The first album, “The Pacific Rim Dulcimer Project,” featured six different musicians in the sample format that was often used to present new musical styles.
A subsequent album, “Crossover,” melded the dulcimer with other forms such as jazz, blues and Caribbean music, among others.
Force and d’Ossche also published two instructional books for the dulcimer.
In parallel to his own performing career, Force produced several albums by his contemporaries.
One of these, “Duets” by Michael Rugg, predated the modern template of a single artist hosting several others for duet performances.
Force doesn’t want to take too much credit as a lot of good ideas are obvious.
“We didn’t predict that idea,” he said, “but what we did was predictive.”
D’Ossche died of AIDS-related illness in 1990, Force said.
Aide in Chimacum
Force retired from performing, taking the first job that became available — as a teacher’s aide in Chimacum schools.
After earning his undergraduate degree in general studies and a graduate degree in education, he applied some of this knowledge for a project by Washington State University to establish regional learning centers, first driven by videotape, then DVD and finally online.
After heading the local learning center for 12 years, he was laid off in 2009 when it was “no longer financially sustainable,” he said.
He took advantage of his “retirement” to rescue and remix his old tapes for the new CD and expects to continue recording and performing.
Colorado canyon
His latest project, “Manitou — In the Garden of the Gods,” was recorded live in a Colorado canyon last year and includes dulcimer-driven performances by Force and five of his contemporaries.
Artistic inclination runs in the family as his wife, Janette Force, is executive director of the Port Townsend Film Festival and is preparing for its 11th iteration beginning Sept. 24.
The joint Forces will host a party celebrating the release of the new CD from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. July 17 in the Upstage Courtyard, 923 Washington St.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
