News from Alternate Universes

Ancient Future Times: News from Alternate Universes
New Year's 2016-2017 Issue:

Future Ancient News from an Alt-Left Universe
•President-Elect Sanders Proposes US Musical Ambassador to the United Nations
Indo Latin Jazz Live In Concert CD Release Celebrations
•Alt-Left Universe Shows at Freight & Salvage 1/22, Don Quixote's 1/29, Occidental Center for the Arts 2/4
Meanwhile in the Alternate Reality of Eleven Nine
•World Fusion Musician Awakes in a Polarized Tribalized World
Education in an Alternate Reality
•Study World Music in the Virtual and Real Worlds

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In Honor of the Current Trend Towards Fact-Check-Free News, Ancient Future Presents

Future Ancient News from an Alt-Left Universe

President-Elect Sanders Proposes US Musical Ambassador to the United Nations

WASHINGTON (Ancient Future Press). President-elect Bernie Sanders today announced his intention to create a new cabinet-level position: United States Musical Ambassador to the United Nations.
A Sanders Transition Team internal memo marked as "for discussion purposes only" has been obtained which states that the idea came to Sanders after hearing some music by the band Ancient Future, the first and longest running musical organization dedicated exclusively to the mission of creating world fusion music. The memo states that in cases of international conflict, it will be the duty of the USMAUN to employ Ancient Future to facilitate jam sessions between musicians from the countries involved.
The Senate confirmation process can begin when Congress convenes on Jan. 3, two weeks before Sander’s inauguration on Jan. 20, 2017. Due to the new Green/Democratic coalition majority in the Senate that was swept in on Sanders's coattails, it is widely believed that Ancient Future's upcoming Feb. 11 anniversary concert is likely to become a celebration of more than just the band's 38 years of cross-cultural collaboration.

Ancient Future Performs at Trinity Chapel on 38th Anniversary of the First Ancient Future Concert

Featuring World Guitar Pioneer Matthew Montfort, Tabla Virtuoso Vishal Nagar, and Pianist/Santurist Mariah Parker

Exactly 38 years after their first concert on Feb. 11, 1979, at the Sleeping Lady Cafe in Fairfax, California, Ancient Future will perform in Berkeley as part of the Trinity Chamber Concert Series. With President-elect Sanders's proposed new duties for Ancient Future at the United Nations, reservations are strongly encouraged for those who want to be part of what could be an historic celebration for world fusion music.
Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, 8 PM
Trinity Chamber Concerts
Trinity Chapel
2320 Dana Street between Bancroft Way & Durant Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94704
Tix: $20 general, $15 senior/disabled/student. No one will be turned away for lack of funds, but with the new Guaranteed Income Act that is expected to pass in Sanders's first week in office, funds for the concert shouldn't be a problem for anyone.
Info and reservations: 510-778-1719 or email info@trinitychamberconcerts.com. Press Release. Facebook Event.


(Read more alt-left universe news from an ancient future to believe in.)

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Indo Latin Jazz Live In Concert CD Release Celebrations

Alt-Left Universe Shows at Freight & Salvage 1/22, Don Quixote's 1/29, Occidental Center for the Arts 2/4

Indo Latin Jazz Live In Concert by Mariah Parker (Ancient-Future.Com AF-20142).
To be released the day of Bernie's inauguration, Jan. 20, 2017, Indo Latin Jazz Live in Concert captures the magic of the concert debut of Mariah Parker's Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble in front of a full house at Yoshi’s in Oakland, as well as subsequent concerts at Berkeley’s Freight & Salvage, the Throckmorton Theater in Mill Valley, and Bob Weir’s TRI Studios in San Rafael. It is the perfect party music to feel the Bern! Plus, two days after Bernie becomes president, Mariah Parker's CD release tour starts at the Freight & Salvage.
Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, 7 PM
Mariah Parker's Indo Latin Jazz CD Release Concert
Freight & Salvage
2020 Addison Street
Berkeley, CA 94704
Tix: $24 adv., $28 door. Purchase tickets.
Info: Call 510-644-2020 or email info@freightandsalvage.org

Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, 7 PM
Mariah Parker's Indo Latin Jazz CD Release Concert
Don Quixote's International Music Hall
6275 Highway 9
Felton, CA 95018
Info: 831-603-2294 or email info@donquixotesmusic.info

Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017, 8 PM
Mariah Parker's Indo Latin Jazz CD Release Concert
Occidental Center for the Arts
3850 Doris Murphy Ct. (Bohemian Hwy. at Graton Rd.)
Occidental CA 95465
Tix: $20 general. Purchase tickets.
Info: 707-874-9392 or email info@occidentalcenterforthearts.org

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Meanwhile in the Alternate Reality of Eleven Nine

World Fusion Musician Awakes in a Polarized Tribalized World

He awoke at nine eleven on eleven nine. Eleven nine. Did he just wake up in an alternate reality? Was that a dream, or did a New York billionaire real estate mogul turned reality TV star convince just enough rural working class voters that he was on their side to win the Electoral College? Did political polarization result in a descent into tribalism and the elevation of fear-based feelings over facts? Did voters believe that immigrants were to blame for lost jobs rather than tech disruption, automation, outsourcing, union busting, and the failure to invest in education? And will a man with no political experience be the commander-in-chief of the world's largest military as countries around the world are splitting into ethnic factions?
Nine eleven. He remembered teaching music that day 15 years earlier, and saying that he feared the likely reaction of the US more than he feared another terrorist attack. How prophetic that turned out to be. He remembered that before nine eleven, he was able to perform music with Arabic or Indian influences at state fairs for crowds more used to rodeos and country music, and turn them on to music from other cultures by including familiar elements from American music. After nine eleven, a lot of folks grew fearful of anything foreign, so it became much more difficult to reach them. Funding for the military expanded, as did destabilizing wars, while arts and education were severely cut. They never recovered.
Eleven nine. He turned on the TV, expecting the stock market to have crashed as forecast by the market elites afraid of the unpredictability of a reality TV star. But in this alternate universe Wall Street suddenly forgot all of that and was in party mode over the possibility of tax cuts for the rich, repealing financial regulations, and running up the deficit with military spending.
That night he performed with Mariah Parker's Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble at a post election party that had become a wake. First they played soft and uplifting music while the conversations of gloom echoed about the room, and then slowly turned up the heat until everyone was dancing at the end. The whole experience made everyone feel better, not about the outcome of the election, but about how to deal with the darkness that resulted to create conditions for the return of light in the future.
In the days that followed, while many of his friends were walking around in a state of denial, he started to exhibit signs of Stockholm syndrome and began to hope that since this reality TV star had changed his mind almost daily on many issues that perhaps there would be some moderation of positions. But those hopes were dashed as tweets were unleashed and cabinet choices rolled out, including a climate change denier to head the EPA. While the new alternate reality seemed bleak, he came back to thinking how sometimes things have to get worse before they can get better. He's been saying that his whole career, but perhaps this time people will wake up and get to work.
For his own part, he made a commitment to do what he can as a musician. It was clear to him that world fusion music will be needed now more than ever in this alternate reality where tribalism is running amuck all over the world and the existence of climate change is denied by the party in power in the world's largest economy. World fusion music can serve as an antidote to polarization. Its mission is to show how ideas from different cultures can work together. Not a genre, it is a process that brings musicians from different traditions together to learn from each other. To an audience, successful world fusion music presents both something exotic and something familiar, and it creates advancements in the art of music that can inspire people to do good things in their own lives.
With enough support, the arts can make a positive difference in how humans behave. But that support is not going to come from elected officials hostile to the idea of arts funding or tech companies that profit off of free artistic content but don't want to pay for it. It will now be up to the people who do believe the arts can help create a better future for humanity to support them directly in whatever ways they can.

Ways to Help Make World Fusion Music Great Again (and Again)

1. Support the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings by Ancient Future (Ancient-Future.Com AF-2030).
2. Make a direct donation. Any amount helps!
3. Follow Ancient Future on social media and share posts (a good option for those who can't afford to donate directly):
   1. Facebook now charges bands to show their posts to fans, but if after liking the Ancient Future Facebook page, you select the "Follow" button that is right next to the "Like" button, and then select "See First" from the "IN YOUR NEWSFEED" menu that pops up, you will see more posts without Ancient Future being charged. You can also periodically check the Ancient Future page for new posts, and share them.
   2. Twitter. Follow @Ancient_Future and be sure to retweet to your followers.
   3. Google Plus. Be among the first to follow Ancient Future's new profile!
   4. Ethnocloud. Sign up and follow Ancient Future on this great site for world music artists.
   5. You can also share pictures from Ancient Future's website on Pinterest, or write blog posts about world fusion music.
4. While streaming services don't yet support artists financially in a sustainable way, world fusion music needs to gain a higher profile, so in the meantime stream these playlists linked at WorldFusionMusicRadio.Com with the sound at a homeopathic background level. Then purchase high quality copies for deep listening at Ancient-Future.Com.
5. Ask your friends to subscribe to the Ancient Future Times. Don't forget to use the tools at the bottom of each newsletter to forward it to anyone you think might be interested. Repeat as necessary.

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Education in an Alternate Reality

Guitar Player Magazine Feature on Matthew Montfort Plus Online Lesson (1.4 MB pdf).

Study World Music in the Virtual and Real Worlds

Where will the next generation of master musicians come from in this era where music creation is considered something that you do by cutting and pasting loops on a computer? In the USA, some public schools in high property tax districts do still have good instrumental music programs, and children of rich parents who like music have the opportunity to study privately. But for the rest of the populace, studying music is a rarity. Not only are we not prioritizing training the musicians of the future, we aren't creating an educated audience for music. In this alternate reality, it is unlikely that restoring music education to public schools will become a priority anytime soon.
But Ancient Future makes education a priority. The Ancient Future website has a large section devoted to music education, and it is free to learn some of the basics of world music, including African polyrhythms, Balinese gamelan, and Indian raga and tala. And you can sign up for a free subscription to Ancient Future's World Rhythms educational newsletter complete with explanations of musical concepts and exercises to master them.
If you know of someone who could benefit from individualized music lessons, you can give them the gift of learning music. Matthew Montfort offers all styles and levels of guitar (and other plucked instruments such as bass, mandolin, and ukulele) instruction as well as lessons on any of the subjects on the Ancient-Future.Com world music education web site via Skype, and in person in the real world in the San Francisco Bay Area. For further information, visit matthewmontfort.com or send an email to info@ancient-future.com.

Skype Sale

30 Minute Skype Lesson. Normally $50. Sale $36. Buy 1 Now.
45 Minute Skype Lesson. Normally $65. Sale $48. Buy 1 Now.
60 Minute Skype Lesson. Normally $75. Sale $60. Buy 1 Now.

Recommended Training Manual

Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali and India by Matthew Montfort (Ancient Future Music, 1985. ISBN 0-937879-00-2). Sale $52.95. Buy 1 Now. A must-have for all students of world music, plus there is an additional discount on a Skype lesson with your online purchase at Ancient-Future.Com!

Ancient Future Performs 38th Anniversary Concert at Trinity Chapel Feb. 11, 2017

Ancient Future Performs at Trinity Chapel

On 38th Anniversary of the First Ancient Future Concert

Hi-Res Photo of Mariah Parker, Matthew Montfort, and Vishal Nagar by Devki (2.1 MB)

Featuring World Guitar Pioneer Matthew Montfort, Tabla Virtuoso Vishal Nagar, and Pianist/Santurist Mariah Parker

Celebrating the exact 38th anniversary of their first concert, the trailblazing world music group Ancient Future will perform as part of the Trinity Chamber Concerts Series in Berkeley on February 11, 2017.
Blending ancient world music traditions from fiery flamenco to resonant raga with the contemporary colors of jazz and rock, this variation of the world fusion music group Ancient Future features world guitar pioneer Matthew Montfort, renowned Indian tabla virtuoso Vishal Nagar, and composer/pianist/santurist Mariah Parker performing new music and favorites from the band's eight ground breaking recordings.
Ancient Future is the first and longest running musical organization dedicated exclusively to the mission of creating world fusion music. The term was coined by bandleader Matthew Montfort in 1978 to describe Ancient Future’s unusual blend of musical traditions from around the world. BILLBOARD calls the group “trendsetters” for their early contributions to the movement, which seeks to show how people from different cultures can grow by learning from each other. Their first concert was February 11, 1979, at the original Sleeping Lady Cafe in Fairfax, California.
Saturday, February 11, 2017, 8 PM
Trinity Chamber Concerts
Trinity Chapel
2320 Dana Street between Bancroft Way & Durant Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94704
Tix: $20 general, $15 senior/disabled/student. No one turned away for lack of funds.
Info and reservations: 510-778-1719 or email info@trinitychamberconcerts.com
Venue website: www.trinitychamberconcerts.com
Facebook Event.

Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard and fretless guitars)

Hi-Res Photo of Matthew Montfort by Julie Marten (2 MB)

The leader of the world music group Ancient Future, Matthew Montfort, is recognized as one of the world's 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists by DigitalDreamDoor.com for his work expanding the boundaries of guitar playing through the study of the world's great music traditions. For example, in 1979 Montfort immersed himself in an intensive study with vina master K.S. Subramanian in order to fully apply the South Indian gamaka (note-bending) techniques to the scalloped fretboard guitar. In addition to his recordings as a bandleader, he has released two solo guitar recordings: Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar and Sympathetic Serenade. The December 2009 Les Paul issue of Guitar Player Magazine includes a full page feature on Montfort with a corresponding GuitarPlayer.Com video and lesson entitled "The Music of Jimi Hendrix Applied to Indian Raga." He has performed worldwide, from the Festival Internacional de la Guitarra on the golden coast of Spain to the Festival of India in Mumbai, and live on national radio and TV shows such as the Echoes Living Room Concerts on Public Radio International and the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC. He has worked with many world music legends, including tabla phenomenon Zakir Hussain and Chinese zither master Zhao Hui. Montfort wrote the book Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India, which has been used by many musicians to improve their rhythm skills.

Matthew Montfort's Custom Martin Scalloped Fretboard Guitar

Hi-Res Photo of Martin guitar by Alan Perlman (3.6 MB)
Hi-Res Photo of scalloped fretboard by Alan Perlman (6.6 MB)
Matthew Montfort is a pioneer of the scalloped fretboard guitar, an instrument with a modified fretboard in which the wood between frets has been carved out in order to facilitate intricate note-bending ornaments. His new custom guitar is the result of a collaboration between Montfort, Dick Boak of the Artist Relations Department of C.F. Martin & Co., and San Francisco luthier Alan Perlman. Dick Boak has been involved in the conception of more than one hundred and forty signature guitar collaborations with the top musical talents of our time. Starting in 2014, he worked with Montfort to help design the instrument, which features a very large sound hole to add volume, an extra upper bout sound hole so that Montfort can hear the guitar better, a cutaway with extra frets protruding into the sound hole to accommodate his extended playing range, and a short scale yet wide neck to allow for greater string bending capability. Master luthier Alan Perlman scalloped the fretboard and added other finishing touches to complete this amazing instrument in 2016.

Vishal Nagar (tabla)

Hi-Res Photo of Vishal Nagar by Inni Singh (5 MB)

"He has magic in his hands" - Hindustan Times
Vishal Nagar is considered one of the most gifted tabla players of his generation. Born into a family of musicians, Vishal has been surrounded by music in an extremely musically creative and artistic environment. Since childhood, he has been fascinated by tabla and began to play at an early age. Vishal had his initial training for a with the late Ustad Latif Ahmed Khan of the Delhi Gharana and continued his training under the guidance of Ustad Shamim Ahmed Khan of the same Gharana (school). Along with the dense and rare tabla repertoire taleem which was he received from his Ustad, he also has had intense rhythmic (layakari) training from his mother, the renowned and highly respected Kathak dancer and vocalist, Urmila Nagar. Starting his performance career at the age of eight in Patna, Vishal has performed around the globe including performances in many cities in India, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Thailand and the United States. Vishal has been praised in the Indian press for his unique combination of melodic tabla sound production with masterful command of rhythm and has also been awarded with the Ministry of Culture Scholarship from the Department of Culture. Vishal has expanded his cultural boundaries and collaborated with musicians from around the world, including Ghanaian guitarist Koo Nimo at WOMAD USA (a leading world dance and music festival started by Peter Gabriel).

Mariah Parker (composer, santur)

Hi-Res Photo of Mariah Parker (1.7 MB)
Mariah Parker, while completing her degree in music at UC Santa Cruz, worked with ethnomusicologist Fred Lieberman and Mickey Hart on the “Planet Drum” project. She has performed in festivals in the US and Europe, and worked with many musicians including composer Pauline Oliveros, the late Dumisani Maraire (renowned composer from Zimbabwe) and others. She has studied with jazz great Art Lande and Latin jazz pianist extraordinaire Rebeca Mauléon, and performs regularly with the trend-setting world music group Ancient Future. She released her first solo recording of her compositions, Sangria (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2017), in February of 2009. Her CD release party and debut of her Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble drew a full house at the famous Yoshi's Jazz Club in Oakland. Since then, the band she leads featuring such veteran performers as Paul McCandless of the group Oregon has performed her compositions to rave reviews at notable festivals and concert venues, from which a live album has been recorded and is scheduled for release in 2016.

New Releases on Ancient-Future.Com Records

Yearning for the Wind

Hi-Res Square Cover Art (1.1 MB)
Yearning for the Wind by Ancient Future (Ancient-Future.Com AF-90352).
Yearning for the Wind is the first audio/video release in Ancient Future history. Within a week of its release, Yearning for the Wind rose to the top of the Ethnocloud World Music Charts, earning #1 spots in both the video and audio track categories, and propelling Ancient Future to the #1 rated artist spot.

YouTube Video URL: http://youtu.be/zurMLOP68K0
Composed by scalloped fretboard guitar innovator Matthew Montfort, Yearning for the Wind is a poignant piece based on Rag Kalyan, an evening raga that corresponds to the Lydian mode. The composition also incorporates harmony and other guitaristic elements. A duet with Indian tabla virtuoso Vishal Nagar, who is considered one of the most gifted tabla players of his generation, Yearning for the Wind is set in matta tal, a nine beat rhythmic cycle. As a bridge between the slow and fast sections of the piece, Vishal Nagar performs an elegant tabla solo over the soft nine beat groove that slowly builds up to a vibrant rela (a fast tabla composition characterized by rapid drum rolls).

The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings

The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings by Ancient Future (Ancient-Future.Com AF-2030).
The next Ancient Future record is fan funded. There is already over an hour of music in A.F.A.R available right now to supporters, with more tracks coming as money is raised for production.

Indo Latin Jazz Live In Concert

Hi-Res Square Cover Art (1.1 MB)
Indo Latin Jazz Live In Concert by Mariah Parker (Ancient-Future.Com AF-20142).
To be released 1/20/2017, Indo Latin Jazz Live in Concert captures the magic of the concert debut of Mariah Parker's Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble in front of a full house at Yoshi’s in Oakland, as well as subsequent concerts at Berkeley’s Freight & Salvage, the Throckmorton Theater in Mill Valley, and Bob Weir’s TRI Studios in San Rafael.

News from an Alt-Left Universe: President-Elect Sanders Proposes United States Musical Ambassador to the United Nations

In Honor of the Current Trend Towards Fact-Check-Free News, Ancient Future Presents

Future Ancient News from an Alt-Left Universe

Dec. 1, 9:00 PM EST

President-Elect Sanders Proposes US Musical Ambassador to the United Nations

WASHINGTON (Ancient Future Press). President-elect Bernie Sanders today announced his intention to create a new cabinet-level position: United States Musical Ambassador to the United Nations.
A Sanders Transition Team internal memo marked as "for discussion purposes only" has been obtained which states that the idea came to Sanders after hearing some music by the band Ancient Future, the first and longest running musical organization dedicated exclusively to the mission of creating world fusion music. The memo states that in cases of international conflict, it will be the duty of the USMAUN to employ Ancient Future to facilitate jam sessions between musicians from the countries involved.
The Senate confirmation process can begin when Congress convenes on Jan. 3, two weeks before Sanders’s inauguration on Jan. 20, 2017. Due to the new Green/Democratic coalition majority in the Senate that was swept in on Sanders's coattails, it is widely believed that Ancient Future's upcoming Feb. 11 anniversary concert is likely to become a celebration of more than just the band's 38 years of cross-cultural collaboration.

Ancient Future Performs at Trinity Chapel

On 38th Anniversary of the First Ancient Future Concert

Featuring World Guitar Pioneer Matthew Montfort, Tabla Virtuoso Vishal Nagar, and Pianist/Santurist Mariah Parker

Exactly 38 years after their first concert on Feb. 11, 1979, at the Sleeping Lady Cafe in Fairfax, California, Ancient Future will perform in Berkeley as part of the Trinity Chamber Concert Series. Blending ancient world music traditions from fiery flamenco to resonant raga with the contemporary colors of jazz and rock, this variation of the world fusion music group features world guitar pioneer Matthew Montfort, renowned Indian tabla virtuoso Vishal Nagar, and composer/pianist/santurist Mariah Parker performing new music and favorites from the band's eight ground-breaking recordings.
With President-elect Sanders's proposed new duties for Ancient Future at the United Nations, reservations are strongly encouraged for those who want to be part of what could be an historic celebration for world fusion music.
Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, 8 PM
Trinity Chamber Concerts
Trinity Chapel
2320 Dana Street between Bancroft Way & Durant Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94704
Tix: $20 general, $15 senior/disabled/student. No one will be turned away for lack of funds, but with the new Guaranteed Income Act that is expected to pass in Sanders's first week in office, funds for the concert shouldn't be a problem for anyone.
Info and reservations: 510-778-1719 or email info@trinitychamberconcerts.com
Venue website: www.trinitychamberconcerts.com
Press Release

New Releases on Ancient-Future.Com Records

Berning for the Win

Berning for the Win by Ancient Future (Ancient-Future.Com AF-90352).
Berning for the Win is the first audio/video release in Alt-Left Ancient Future history, and is thought to have played a part in Bernie's narrow victory in the primary after a recount in 34 states, and his landslide victory in the general election.

The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings

This video from the future ancient was mysteriously transported through the Ancient Future time portal.
The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings by Ancient Future (Ancient-Future.Com AF-2030).
Kent Jones reports on A.F.A.R. on the Rachel Maddow Show on X.N.N.B.C. in a parallel universe. Apparently, Kent Jones got lost in a time vortex while listening to the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings by Ancient Future, and reported on his experience in his "Just Enough" segment exploring the farthest reaches of musical culture.

Indo Latin Jazz Live In Concert

Indo Latin Jazz Live In Concert by Mariah Parker (Ancient-Future.Com AF-20142).
To be released the day of Bernie's inauguration, Jan. 20, 2017, Indo Latin Jazz Live in Concert captures the magic of the concert debut of Mariah Parker's Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble in front of a full house at Yoshi’s in Oakland, as well as subsequent concerts at Berkeley’s Freight & Salvage, the Throckmorton Theater in Mill Valley, and Bob Weir’s TRI Studios in San Rafael. It is the perfect party music to feel the Bern! Plus, two days after Bernie becomes president, they are performing at the Freight and Salvage as part of their CD release tour.

New Fan Funded Tracks Added to the 'Archive of Future Ancient Recordings' by Ancient Future

Ancient-Future.Com Records Presents

The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings (A.F.A.R.)

New Tracks Added to the Fan Supported Recording Series by Ancient Future

Bui Huu Nhut Recording A.F.A.R.. Hi-Res Photo by Michael Braden (742 k):
http://www.ancient-future.com/images/nhut_purple_raga300dpi3.5x2.8.jpg
Abbos Kosimov Recording A.F.A.R.. Hi-Res Photo by Michael Braden (443 k):
http://www.ancient-future.com/images/abbos_kosimov300dpi3x2.4.jpg

6/16/16 Update Adds Six New Pieces

On 6/16/16, six new pieces and a video make their debut in the fan funded Archive of Future Ancient Recordings, which gives supporters access to Ancient Future recordings as they are created. There are four new tracks, two of which feature two compositions, the first serving as an introduction to the second. There are now 13 tracks totaling 86 minutes and 51 seconds of music in the archive. Two of the new tracks are live versions of pieces originally recorded during Ancient Future's major label days, and two are brand new studio tracks, including Ancient Future's first ever cover of a popular song, a world fusion version of Jimi Hendrix's Purple Haze showcasing Bui Huu Nhut on Vietnamese dan bau, a one string instrument with a whammy bar! The piece also features Uzbeki percussion master Abbos Kosimov, who performs frequently with tabla phenom Zakir Hussain, and it is the very first studio recording featuring Matthew Montfort on his Godin Glissentar fretless guitar.
Tres Tarantas Tres (Montfort. 4:32). Based on the flamenco form Tarantas, but with a rhythmic structure of three groups of three, this piece also makes a foray into impressionism ala Eric Satie. Lineup: Matthew Montfort (flamenco guitar).
Gamarock (Montfort. 12:10). Recorded live 4/29/15, this piece from Dreamchaser fuses Balinese gamelan with rock and roll. Lineup: Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitars), Vishal Nagar (tabla), Jason Everett (7 string fretless bass).
Prelude/Bookenka (Montfort/Doug McKeehan 6:50). Recorded 10/16/13 at the World Without Walls Reunion Concert at the Freight & Salvage. Lineup: Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar), Doug McKeehan (piano), Kash Killion (bass), Ian Dogole (percussion), Mariah Parker (santur), Jim Hurley (violin).
Purple Nam/Purple Haze (Montfort/Jimi Hendrix. 4:44). A Vietnamese version of Montfort's Purple Raga sets up an adventurous excursion into Hendrix's classic rock piece with Vietnamese dan bau instead of electric guitar. Lineup: Bui Huu Nhut (dan bau), Matthew Montfort (Godin Glissentar fretless 11 string guitar, fretless bass), Abbos Kosimov (Uzbeki percussion), Mariah Parker (keys).

The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings (A.F.A.R.)

The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings Hi-Res Square Cover Art (1.2 MB):
http://www.ancient-future.com/images/30CDafar1500sq.jpg

Ancient Future performed its first concert on February 11, 1979, at the Sleeping Lady Cafe in Fairfax, California. Since then, the band has gone on to perform hundreds of concerts nationally and internationally and release seven full length recordings and an HD video that have established Ancient Future as the trendsetting pioneers of world fusion music, a term coined by Ancient Future bandleader Matthew Montfort at the group's inception for music that combines ideas from many of the world's great musical traditions.
During Ancient Future's 30th anniversary year, a new Ancient Future band project was conceived: the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings (A.F.A.R.). The concept of the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings is to involve fans of world fusion music in supporting the production of an archive of live and studio recordings of cross cultural collaborations. The best of these recordings will be selected to be released commercially at a "future" date, at which point they will be on their way to becoming "ancient" recordings, hence the title.
To finance A.F.A.R., Ancient-Future.Com Records has been quietly providing financial supporters access to select files from Ancient Future's archives of alternate takes, live concerts and radio performances along with new studio recordings as they are created. To date, 18% of the fundraising goal has been raised at concerts, on Ancient-Future.Com, and through the Ancient Future Times, the band's email newsletter. The full archive of recordings is available during the project exclusively to supporters, and when the archive is complete, a portion of the recordings will be selected for commercial release on Ancient-Future.Com Records.
There are four supporter thank-you packages available ranging from $15 to $75, and while donations to the A.F.A.R. project are not currently tax deductible, donations of any amount are greatly appreciated and will be put to good use! There are a range of benefits for the various packages, including the A.F.A.R. email newsletter (which provides a window on the recording process as it develops), immediate access to downloads of the recordings placed in the archives, digital liner notes, limited edition CD-R's of the archives when complete with printed liner notes signed by Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort, video and 24 bit audio files for hi-res playback on computers, and a 30% discount on the advance copies of the final commercial release. Detailed information on the various supporter packages and the benefits included can be found at www.ancient-future.com/afar.html.

Live Video of New A.F.A.R. Track

A live medley of Prelude and Bookenka (The Adventurer), which was originally recorded on Ancient Future's Asian Fusion release,has been added to the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings. Fans can check it out on Ethnocloud at 720p now, and then get it in full resolution beautifully shot HD 1080p video and rich 96-kHz/24-bit audio as a thank-you for becoming a hi-res supporter of A.F.A.R.!
Ethnocloud Video URL: http://ethnocloud.com/Ancient_Future/?y_video=2024&b=942
YouTube Video URL: https://youtu.be/IlYfQ50MGDw

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Global Guitar Summit California Summer Tour

Global Guitar Summit

Featuring Konarak Reddy (India), Matthew Montfort (USA), and Teja Gerken (Germany)

Sunday, July 31, 6:30 PM - 9 PM
Fenix
919 Fourth Street
San Rafael, CA 94901
Tix: $12 advance, $15 door. For advance tix and reservations, visit www.fenixlive.com/dining/reservations, call 415-813-5600 or email info@www.fenixlive.com
Venue website: www.fenixlive.com 

Thursday, August 4, 2016, 7:30 PM
Don Quixote's International Music Hall
6275 Highway 9
Felton, CA 95018
Tix: $12 advance, $15 door. Info: Call 831-603-2294 or email tmm@cruzio.com
Venue website: www.donquixotesmusic.info 

Saturday, August 6th, 6:30 PM
Gryphon Stringed Instruments
211 Lambert Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
Tix: $20 suggested donation. Info: Call 650-493-2131 or email michael@gryphonstrings.com
Venue website: www.gryphonstrings.com 

Friday, August 12th, 8 PM
Sebastopol Community Center Annex
425 Morris St.
Sebastopol, CA 95472
Tix: $20 advance, $23 door. For advance tix and reservations, call Kevin at 707-824-1858 or email krussellmft@aol.com
Venue website: www.seb.org

This Global Guitar Summit presents three international acoustic guitar virtuosos who will perform solo and ensemble pieces. The summit features Indian nylon string guitarist Konarak Reddy, American scalloped fretboard and fretless guitar pioneer Matthew Montfort, and German fingerstyle guitarist Teja Gerken.

Poster (100 k .pdf): www.ancient-future.com/pdf/pdf/global_guitar_summit2016poster.pdf

Konarak Reddy

Hailing from Bangalore, India, Konarak Reddy is a legend among music aficionados in his home country. From the start, Konarak drew his inspiration from multiple sources, immersing himself in both Western classical theory on guitar and traditional Indian music on the sarod, which he studied with Gurus Debi Prasad Ghosh and Rajeev Taranath. Konarak later studied jazz improvisation at Boston's Berklee College of Music and the Musician's Institute in Hollywood, from which he graduated with honors. Today, his playing integrates Hindustani and Carnatic styles into contemporary solo guitar masterpieces, which frequently include live looping. Konarak was featured in a TEDx talk in 2013 (www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0ZP-hG7CN4), he frequently performs in Europe, and his own World Guitar Night, which has become an annual event in Bangalore, and featured international guitarists such as Andy McKee, Don Ross, Kevin Eubanks, Peter Sprague, Peter Finger, and others. His two albums, Searching for the Goddess and Solar Avatar have received critical acclaim. For more info, please visit www.konarak-reddy.blogspot.com.

Video

Konarak Reddy performing live in Budapest:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DMYe5YHq6U

Press

"He is known as one of India's most versatile guitarists. For over 35 years he's absolutely ruled the roost. Konarak Reddy has needed no introduction." - BANGALORE MIRROR BUREAU

Matthew Montfort

   

Matthew Montfort is the leader of the world music ensemble Ancient Future. Featured in the December 2009 commemorative Les Paul issue of Guitar Player Magazine, Montfort is a pioneer among guitarists who have had their fretboards scalloped in order to play various forms of world music that require intricate note-bending ornaments while still being able to play chords. Montfort immersed himself in an intensive study with vina master K.S. Subramanian in order to fully apply the South Indian gamaka (note-bending) techniques to the guitar. He has released two solo CDs: Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar and Sympathetic Serenade, for which he is recognized as one of the world's 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists by DigitalDreamDoor.com , a curated "best of" site, along with such luminaries as Michael Hedges, Leo Kottke, Chet Atkins, John Fahey, Adrian Legg, Merle Travis, John Renbourn, Tommy Emmanuel, Doc Watson, Pierre Bensusan, Toni Rice, Alex De Grassi, Stefan Grossman, Artie Traum, Joni Mitchell, and Peppino D'Agostino. He is also known for his work on Glissentar (11 string fretless guitar), electric guitar, flamenco guitar, sitar, charango, mandolin, and gamelan. He has performed concerts worldwide, from the Festival Internacional de la Guitarra on the golden coast of Spain to the Festival of India in Mumbai. He has worked with many world music legends, including tabla phenomenon Zakir Hussain and Chinese zither master Zhao Hui. Montfort wrote the book Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India, which has been used by many musicians to improve their rhythm skills. For more info, please visit www.matthewmontfort.com.

Video

Matthew Montfort performing 'Soul Serenade' at Ancient Future's 30th Anniversary Concert:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLfKTbpgO1Q

Press

5 Page Guitar Player Magazine/GuitarPlayer.com Media Report (1.4 MB):
www.ancient-future.com/pdf/MatthewMontfortGuitarPlayerMag.pdf

"Because Montfort’s guitar has a scalloped fretboard, his fingers touch only the strings, enabling him to produce ornaments more characteristic of the sitar. This album reveals a thorough knowledge of Hindustani microtonal ornaments, transferred in ways that create one of the most distinctive guitar sounds in contemporary music. However, it also reveals a lifetime of exploration in world music, which can be immediately summoned in a flash of inspiration. When this level of mastery is reached, there is no need to rewrite. The first improvisation has the depth of a reworked composition." – Teed Rockwell, INDIA CURRENTS, March 2009

Teja Gerken

German-born Teja Gerken is a contemporary steel-string fingerstyle guitarist whose playing merges the styles of European guitar pioneers such as John Renbourn and Pierre Bensusan with the distinct sounds of American players such as Leo Kottke and Micheal Hedges. Known for his original compositions, many of which employ alternate tunings, two-handed tapping, percussive effects, and other extended guitar techniques, Teja will also bring Celtic, jazz, and classical styles to the Global Guitars show. For more info, please visit www.tejagerken.com.

Video

Teja Gerken performing "1948" live:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7khy_8uhCA

Press

"Releasing his second CD, Postcards, is San Francisco area fingerstyle guitarist Teja Gerken, who delivers solo instrumental compositions with enough surprises and innovative twists to delight aficionados of the world music and folk genres. His tunes employ physical techniques such as two-handed tapping, alternate tunings, and percussive effects, but his developed sense of melody is what will keep his CD playing in your mind long after the 'stop' button is pressed. Another impressive feature is that Gerken's playing is captured without overdubs; the intricate arrangements delivered as you might hear the artist in concert. Gerken is one of a rare breed - a guitarist's guitarist with equal appeal for the non-musicians out there. His Postcards album is highly recommended." – GUITAR9.COM

Ancient Future Goes Occidental April 9

Ancient Future Performs at Occidental Center for the Arts

Debut Sonoma Performance with Montfort's New Scalloped Fretboard Guitar

Hi-Res Photo of Mariah Parker, Matthew Montfort, and Vishal Nagar by Devki (2.1 MB)

Featuring World Guitar Pioneer Matthew Montfort, Tabla Virtuoso Vishal Nagar, and Pianist/Santurist Mariah Parker

Blending ancient world music traditions from fiery flamenco to resonant raga with the contemporary colors of jazz and rock, this variation of the world fusion music group Ancient Future features world guitar pioneer Matthew Montfort, renowned Indian tabla virtuoso Vishal Nagar, and composer/pianist/santurist Mariah Parker performing new music and favorites from the band's eight ground breaking recordings. This concert will be Matthew Montfort's debut Sonoma County performance on his brand new custom Martin scalloped fretboard guitar.
Saturday, April 9, 2016, 8 PM
Occidental Center for the Arts
3850 Doris Murphy Ct. (Bohemian Hwy. at Graton Rd.)
Occidental CA 95465
Adm: $22 advance/$25 door. Reserve tickets early at brownpapertickets.com.
Info: 707-874-9392
Venue Email: info@occidentalcenterforthearts.org
Venue Website: http://www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org
Ticket URL: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2514232
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1667535590173966
Poster (138k): http://www.ancient-future.com/pdf/4_9_16_oca.pdf


Ancient Future is the first and longest running musical organization dedicated exclusively to the mission of creating world fusion music. The term was coined by bandleader Matthew Montfort in 1978 to describe Ancient Future’s unusual blend of musical traditions from around the world. BILLBOARD calls the group “trendsetters” for their early contributions to the movement, which seeks to show how people from different cultures can grow by learning from each other.

Matthew Montfort's New Custom Martin Scalloped Fretboard Guitar

Hi-Res Photo of Martin guitar by Alan Perlman (3.6 MB)
Hi-Res Photo of scalloped fretboard by Alan Perlman (6.6 MB)
Matthew Montfort is a pioneer of the scalloped fretboard guitar, an instrument with a modified fretboard in which the wood between frets has been carved out in order to facilitate intricate note-bending ornaments. His new custom guitar is the result of a collaboration between Montfort, Dick Boak of the Artist Relations Department of C.F. Martin & Co., and San Francisco luthier Alan Perlman. Dick Boak has been involved in the conception of more than one hundred and forty signature guitar collaborations with the top musical talents of our time. Starting in 2014, he worked with Montfort to help design the instrument, which features a very large sound hole to add volume, an extra upper bout sound hole so that Montfort can hear the guitar better, a cutaway with extra frets protruding into the sound hole to accommodate his extended playing range, and a short scale yet wide neck to allow for greater string bending capability. Master luthier Alan Perlman scalloped the fretboard and added other finishing touches to complete this amazing instrument.

Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard and fretless guitars)

Hi-Res Photo of Matthew Montfort by Julie Marten (2 MB)

The leader of the world music group Ancient Future, Matthew Montfort, is recognized as one of the world's 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists by DigitalDreamDoor.com for his work expanding the boundaries of guitar playing through the study of the world's great music traditions. For example, in 1979 Montfort immersed himself in an intensive study with vina master K.S. Subramanian in order to fully apply the South Indian gamaka (note-bending) techniques to the scalloped fretboard guitar. In addition to his recordings as a bandleader, he has released two solo guitar recordings: Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar and Sympathetic Serenade. The December 2009 Les Paul issue of Guitar Player Magazine includes a full page feature on Montfort with a corresponding GuitarPlayer.Com video and lesson entitled "The Music of Jimi Hendrix Applied to Indian Raga." He has performed worldwide, from the Festival Internacional de la Guitarra on the golden coast of Spain to the Festival of India in Mumbai, and live on national radio and TV shows such as the Echoes Living Room Concerts on Public Radio International and the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC. He has worked with many world music legends, including tabla phenomenon Zakir Hussain and Chinese zither master Zhao Hui. Montfort wrote the book Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India, which has been used by many musicians to improve their rhythm skills.

Vishal Nagar (tabla)

Hi-Res Photo of Vishal Nagar by Inni Singh (5 MB)

"He has magic in his hands" - Hindustan Times
Vishal Nagar is considered one of the most gifted tabla players of his generation. Born into a family of musicians, Vishal has been surrounded by music in an extremely musically creative and artistic environment. Since childhood, he has been fascinated by tabla and began to play at an early age. Vishal had his initial training for a with the late Ustad Latif Ahmed Khan of the Delhi Gharana and continued his training under the guidance of Ustad Shamim Ahmed Khan of the same Gharana (school). Along with the dense and rare tabla repertoire taleem which was he received from his Ustad, he also has had intense rhythmic (layakari) training from his mother, the renowned and highly respected Kathak dancer and vocalist, Urmila Nagar. Starting his performance career at the age of eight in Patna, Vishal has performed around the globe including performances in many cities in India, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Thailand and the United States. Vishal has been praised in the Indian press for his unique combination of melodic tabla sound production with masterful command of rhythm and has also been awarded with the Ministry of Culture Scholarship from the Department of Culture. Vishal has expanded his cultural boundaries and collaborated with musicians from around the world, including Ghanaian guitarist Koo Nimo at WOMAD USA (a leading world dance and music festival started by Peter Gabriel).

Mariah Parker (composer, santur)

Hi-Res Photo of Mariah Parker (1.7 MB)
Mariah Parker, while completing her degree in music at UC Santa Cruz, worked with ethnomusicologist Fred Lieberman and Mickey Hart on the “Planet Drum” project. She has performed in festivals in the US and Europe, and worked with many musicians including composer Pauline Oliveros, the late Dumisani Maraire (renowned composer from Zimbabwe) and others. She has studied with jazz great Art Lande and Latin jazz pianist extraordinaire Rebeca Mauléon, and performs regularly with the trend-setting world music group Ancient Future. She released her first solo recording of her compositions, Sangria (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2017), in February of 2009. Her CD release party and debut of her Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble drew a full house at the famous Yoshi's Jazz Club in Oakland. Since then, the band she leads featuring such veteran performers as Paul McCandless of the group Oregon has performed her compositions to rave reviews at notable festivals and concert venues, from which a live album has been recorded and is scheduled for release in 2016.

New Releases on Ancient-Future.Com Records

Yearning for the Wind

Hi-Res Square Cover Art (1.1 MB)
Yearning for the Wind by Ancient Future (Ancient-Future.Com AF-90352).
Yearning for the Wind is the first audio/video release in Ancient Future history. Within a week of its release, Yearning for the Wind rose to the top of the Ethnocloud World Music Charts, earning #1 spots in both the video and audio track categories, and propelling Ancient Future to the #1 rated artist spot.

YouTube Video URL: http://youtu.be/zurMLOP68K0
Composed by scalloped fretboard guitar innovator Matthew Montfort, Yearning for the Wind is a poignant piece based on Rag Kalyan, an evening raga that corresponds to the Lydian mode. The composition also incorporates harmony and other guitaristic elements. A duet with Indian tabla virtuoso Vishal Nagar, who is considered one of the most gifted tabla players of his generation, Yearning for the Wind is set in matta tal, a nine beat rhythmic cycle. As a bridge between the slow and fast sections of the piece, Vishal Nagar performs an elegant tabla solo over the soft nine beat groove that slowly builds up to a vibrant rela (a fast tabla composition characterized by rapid drum rolls).

The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings

The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings by Ancient Future (Ancient-Future.Com AF-2030).
The next Ancient Future record is fan funded. There is already over an hour of music in A.F.A.R available right now to supporters, with more tracks coming as money is raised for production.

85 Word Radio Announcement for Occidental Center for the Arts Concert

The trailblazing world music group Ancient Future will perform an intimate evening of music featuring scalloped fretboard guitar pioneer Matthew Montfort, tabla virtuoso Vishal Nagar, and pianist/santurist Mariah Parker on Saturday, April 9, at 8 PM at the Occidental Center for the Arts, located at 3850 Doris Murphy Ct. in Occidental, California. Reserve tickets early at brownpapertickets.com. The concert will be the Sonoma County debut performance on Matthew Montfort's new custom Martin scalloped fretboard guitar. Admission is $22 in advance and $25 at the door.

128 Word Radio Announcement for North Coast Concerts

The trailblazing world music group Ancient Future will perform two North Coast concerts debuting Matthew Montfort's new custom Martin scalloped fretboard guitar. The first concert featuring scalloped fretboard guitar pioneer Matthew Montfort and tabla virtuoso Vishal Nagar is on on Sunday, April 3, at 8 PM, at the Willits Community Theatre, located at 37 West Van Lane in Willits, California. Ancient Future will also perform on Saturday, April 9, at 8 PM at the Occidental Center for the Arts, located at 3850 Doris Murphy Ct. in Occidental, California. Pianist/santurist Mariah Parker will join the ensemble for this performance. Admission for the Willits show is $15. For the Occidental concert, admission is $22 in advance and $25 at the door. Advance tickets for both events are available at brownpapertickets.com.

Ancient Future In Concert April 3 in Willits, California

Ancient Future Performs at the Willits Community Theatre

Debut Mendocino Performance with Montfort's New Scalloped Fretboard Guitar

Hi-Res Photo of recording session with Matthew Montfort and Vishal Nagar by Michael Braden (858k)

Featuring World Guitar Pioneer Matthew Montfort and Tabla Virtuoso Vishal Nagar

Blending ancient world music traditions from fiery flamenco to resonant raga with the contemporary colors of jazz and rock, this variation of the world fusion music group Ancient Future features world guitar pioneer Matthew Montfort and renowned Indian tabla virtuoso Vishal Nagar performing exciting new music and favorites from the band's eight ground breaking recordings. This concert will be Matthew Montfort's debut Mendocino County performance on his brand new custom Martin scalloped fretboard guitar.
Sunday April 3, 2016, 7 PM
Willits Community Theatre
37 West Van Lane
Willits, CA 95490
Tix: $15. Available in person at Mazahar at 38 S. Main St., online at brownpapertickets.com, by phone at 800-838-3006, and at the door the night of the show if seats are still available.
Doors Open: 6:30 PM
Venue Email: wct@willitsonline.com
Venue Website: http://www.willitstheatre.org
Ticket URL: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2513758
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1534813956811610
Press Requests: cmnorris@saber.net and wct@willitsonline.com
Poster (138k): http://www.ancient-future.com/pdf/4_3_16_willits.pdf

Ancient Future is the first and longest running musical organization dedicated exclusively to the mission of creating world fusion music. The term was coined by bandleader Matthew Montfort in 1978 to describe Ancient Future’s unusual blend of musical traditions from around the world. BILLBOARD calls the group “trendsetters” for their early contributions to the movement, which seeks to show how people from different cultures can grow by learning from each other.

Matthew Montfort's New Custom Martin Scalloped Fretboard Guitar

Hi-Res Photo of Martin guitar by Alan Perlman (3.6 MB)
Hi-Res Photo of scalloped fretboard by Alan Perlman (6.6 MB)
Matthew Montfort is a pioneer of the scalloped fretboard guitar, an instrument with a modified fretboard in which the wood between frets has been carved out in order to facilitate intricate note-bending ornaments. His new custom guitar is the result of a collaboration between Montfort, Dick Boak of the Artist Relations Department of C.F. Martin & Co., and San Francisco luthier Alan Perlman. Dick Boak has been involved in the conception of more than one hundred and forty signature guitar collaborations with the top musical talents of our time. Starting in 2014, he worked with Montfort to help design the instrument, which features a very large sound hole to add volume, an extra upper bout sound hole so that Montfort can hear the guitar better, a cutaway with extra frets protruding into the sound hole to accommodate his extended playing range, and a short scale yet wide neck to allow for greater string bending capability. Master luthier Alan Perlman scalloped the fretboard and added other finishing touches to complete this amazing instrument.

Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard and fretless guitars)

Hi-Res Photo of Matthew Montfort by Julie Marten (2 MB)

The leader of the world music group Ancient Future, Matthew Montfort, is recognized as one of the world's 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists by DigitalDreamDoor.com for his work expanding the boundaries of guitar playing through the study of the world's great music traditions. For example, in 1979 Montfort immersed himself in an intensive study with vina master K.S. Subramanian in order to fully apply the South Indian gamaka (note-bending) techniques to the scalloped fretboard guitar. In addition to his recordings as a bandleader, he has released two solo guitar recordings: Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar and Sympathetic Serenade. The December 2009 Les Paul issue of Guitar Player Magazine includes a full page feature on Montfort with a corresponding GuitarPlayer.Com video and lesson entitled "The Music of Jimi Hendrix Applied to Indian Raga." He has performed worldwide, from the Festival Internacional de la Guitarra on the golden coast of Spain to the Festival of India in Mumbai, and live on national radio and TV shows such as the Echoes Living Room Concerts on Public Radio International and the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC. He has worked with many world music legends, including tabla phenomenon Zakir Hussain and Chinese zither master Zhao Hui. Montfort wrote the book Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India, which has been used by many musicians to improve their rhythm skills.

Vishal Nagar (tabla)

Hi-Res Photo of Vishal Nagar by Inni Singh (5 MB)

"He has magic in his hands" - Hindustan Times
Vishal Nagar is considered one of the most gifted tabla players of his generation. Born into a family of musicians, Vishal has been surrounded by music in an extremely musically creative and artistic environment. Since childhood, he has been fascinated by tabla and began to play at an early age. Vishal had his initial training for a with the late Ustad Latif Ahmed Khan of the Delhi Gharana and continued his training under the guidance of Ustad Shamim Ahmed Khan of the same Gharana (school). Along with the dense and rare tabla repertoire taleem which was he received from his Ustad, he also has had intense rhythmic (layakari) training from his mother, the renowned and highly respected Kathak dancer and vocalist, Urmila Nagar. Starting his performance career at the age of eight in Patna, Vishal has performed around the globe including performances in many cities in India, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Thailand and the United States. Vishal has been praised in the Indian press for his unique combination of melodic tabla sound production with masterful command of rhythm and has also been awarded with the Ministry of Culture Scholarship from the Department of Culture. Vishal has expanded his cultural boundaries and collaborated with musicians from around the world, including Ghanaian guitarist Koo Nimo at WOMAD USA (a leading world dance and music festival started by Peter Gabriel).

New Releases on Ancient-Future.Com Records

Yearning for the Wind

Hi-Res Square Cover Art (1.1 MB)
Yearning for the Wind by Ancient Future. (Ancient-Future.Com AF-90352).
Yearning for the Wind is the first audio/video release in Ancient Future history. Within a week of its release, Yearning for the Wind rose to the top of the Ethnocloud World Music Charts, earning #1 spots in both the video and audio track categories, and propelling Ancient Future to the #1 rated artist spot.
YouTube Video URL: http://youtu.be/zurMLOP68K0
Composed by scalloped fretboard guitar innovator Matthew Montfort, Yearning for the Wind is a poignant piece based on Rag Kalyan, an evening raga that corresponds to the Lydian mode. The composition also incorporates harmony and other guitaristic elements. A duet with Indian tabla virtuoso Vishal Nagar, who is considered one of the most gifted tabla players of his generation, Yearning for the Wind is set in matta tal, a nine beat rhythmic cycle. As a bridge between the slow and fast sections of the piece, Vishal Nagar performs an elegant tabla solo over the soft nine beat groove that slowly builds up to a vibrant rela (a fast tabla composition characterized by rapid drum rolls).

The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings

The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings by Ancient Future. (Ancient-Future.Com AF-2030).
The next Ancient Future record is fan funded. There is already over an hour of music in A.F.A.R available right now to supporters, with more tracks coming as money is raised for production.