Occasionally there are watershed events that change the course of one’s life in a single moment. For islander and musician Jason Everett, that instant arrived via a song on the car radio when Everett, age 16 at the time, heard the title track “Quiet” for a band called Ancient Future. Fast forward to next Wednesday when Everett will perform with Ancient Future at the Vashon Theatre.

Everett, who trained on the clarinet and was studying to be a classical bassoonist when he first heard Ancient Future, recalled the effect the new music had on him.

“I was possessed. I couldn’t concentrate on driving and had to pull over to listen,” he said. “Then I rushed home and called the station to get the title so I could buy the album. Ancient Future started me on my world music path.”

Considered the first and longest running ensemble dedicated to world music, Ancient Future formed in 1978. The band and its leader, guitar player Matthew Montfort, coined the term “world fusion music” to describe the group’s contemporary mix of traditional Indian, African, Balinese, Middle Eastern and South American rhythms.

Though Everett received a full bassoon scholarship from Northern Arizona University, his true passion belonged to the bass. The instrument, Everett said, was his world. He dropped out of college to play bass professionally in jazz clubs and eventually discovered the fretless bass, which began his pursuit of Indian music in earnest.

Everett, who ran Vashon Allied Arts for eight years as executive director, first met Montfort when Ancient Future performed at the Blue Heron 12 years ago.

“I was able to tell Montfort my story, that he changed my life. But I didn’t stay connected until Facebook came along,” Everett said.

Through social media and island drummer Bill Moyer, who is a student of Vishal Nagar, a member of Ancient Future, Everett recently reconnected with Montfort.

Nagar encouraged Everett to audition for Ancient Future, which occasionally adds new musicians to the band. Everett flew to California for an audition and by the end, Montfort had signed him on to tour Washington with the band. Everett, who calls himself a fusion artist, was beyond excited. He reveres Montfort and Nagar for their musical mastery.

“These musicians begin training at age 3. They develop a depth of knowledge that is being lost. It is amazing that musicians of this caliber are not valued more. They are masters.”

Everett said that after 9/11, interest in world music started to decline. Montfort’s self-described mission is to reintroduce world music to help breakdown cultural barriers that have gone up post 9/11.

Everett also is committed to building a greater audience for world music, especially for children.

“I want to bring kids into the music, inspire them to think outside the box,” Everett said.

On Wednesday, Everett will provide the opportunity for islanders to hear live world music as he plays the seven-string fretless bass with Montfort on the scalloped fretboard guitar — a cross between a sitar and steel string guitar — and Nagar on the tabla. The tabla is an Indian hand-drum that Everett says sounds as if multiple people are drumming due to the speed with which the instrument is played.

Everett said the concert is a dream come true for him.

“I remember playing Ancient Future’s CDs,” he said, “and thinking if only I could ever play with guys like this.”

The show will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday April 29, at the Vashon Theatre. Tickets are $15 in advance at the theater box office and will be $18 at the door for general admission. Student tickets are $10.

Proceeds from the concert will benefit Vashon Allied Arts’ scholarship program.