Ancient Future History: 2008 to 2024

Articles from 2008-2021

30th Anniversary Period

3 Releases Celebrating 30 Years of World Fusion Music

In 2008, a deal was signed with Gemini Sun Records as an umbrella label to pass through distribution of Ancient-Future.Com Records as a stand alone label through Ryko/WEA distribution. While that meant that Ancient-Future.Com releases had the potential to achieve the same level of distribution as Ancient Future enjoyed when it was signed to a major label, the economic downturn coupled with free music on the Internet led to a rash of record store closings. The distribution deal ultimately ended after the closing of Gemini Sun Records in 2010.

Three releases celebrating thirty years of world fusion music were released February 10, 2009: Planet Passion by Ancient Future (AF 2010), Sangria by Mariah Parker (AF 2017), and Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort (AF 2008). February 10, 2009 was one day before the 30th anniversary of the first Ancient Future concert, February 11, 1979.

Sangria by Mariah Parker (Ancient-Future.Com 2017). CD Release Date: February 10, 2009.
CD- $17.98: Add CD to Cart. Buy CD Now.

Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort (Ancient-Future.Com 2008). CD Release Date: February 10, 2009. CD- $17.98: Add CD to Cart. Buy CD Now.

Planet Passion by Ancient Future (Ancient-Future.Com AF-2010). CD Release Date: February 10, 2009. CD- $17.98: Add CD to Cart. Buy CD Now. >YTmusic.

Return to the Sleeping Lady

After a long absence, the Sleeping Lady beckoned. She was silent for many years, but with the blessing of founder Billy Bramblett in the fall of 2008 (exactly 30 years from the first jam sessions of the original version of the band Ancient Future!), she re-awakened just down the street from her place of last repose in Fairfax, California.

As luck would have it, Teja Gerken, then editor of Acoustic Guitar Magazine, held an acoustic guitar showcase February 11, 2009, at the re-awakened Sleeping Lady, and invited Montfort to perform as part of the showcase to celebrate the release of his first solo guitar recording the previous day. Exactly 30 years to the day after Ancient Future's first public performance at the original Sleeping Lady, Montfort performed his first concert celebrating his first solo recording.

The Sleeping Lady apparently loved a circle completed. After all, it is hard to leave the Ancient Future behind...

30th Anniversary Concert at Freight and Salvage, Sunday, July 26, 2009

The 30th anniversary CD release party at the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley featured Ancient Future, Matthew Montfort, and Mariah Parker's Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble performing music from their three new releases celebrating 30 years of world fusion music. The playlist below showcases the four videos that have been released from the concert.

First up, Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar) and Mariah Parker (hammered dulcimer) perform a duet version of Montfort's 'Moonbath,' which was the first song recorded for Ancient Future's debut recording, Visions of a Peaceful Planet.

The second video is a quartet version of 'Sangria' by Mariah Parker featuring Matthew Montfort on scalloped fretboard guitar, Mariah Parker on santur, Kash Killion on cello, and Ian Dogole on udu and cymbals. The song also has been recorded in three other versions: as a trio on Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort, as a quartet on the title track of Mariah Parker's debut CD, Sangria, and as a sextet Mariah Parker's Indo Latin Jazz Live in Concert.

In the third video, Matthew Montfort performs 'Soul Serenade' from his debut solo release, Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar.

Finally, Matthew Montfort explains how he created a new raga by applying the principles of Indian raga to the music of Jimi Hendrix in 'Purple Raga' from Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar.

All three videos are available in high resolution audio to subscribers to The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings.

The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings

During Ancient Future's 30th anniversary year, work began on a new Ancient Future band project: The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings (A.F.A.R.). The concept is to involve fans of world fusion music in supporting the creation of an archive of live and studio recordings that are available to subscribers as they are created before they are released commercially.

To fund A.F.A.R., a subscription system model is being employed. It is a bit like making a "people's label" to fund the recording. A special download supporter area has been unveiled where the work files for the project are posted as they are created. Over 94 minutes of music is in the archive and available to supporters now, with another 50 minutes in production, and more to come as money is raised.

Recording Newsletter Package: $15. Add to Cart. Support Now. Supporters at this level receive the A.F.A.R. Email Newsletter which provides a window on the creative process, good quality 128 kbps digital downloads legacy recordings chosen from the Ancient Future archives of live concerts, radio performances, and unreleased performances, good quality 128 kbps digital downloads of music to be recorded especially for the A.F.A.R. project, and a 30% discount on advance copies of the final commercial release. Until the Download Supporter Package is sold out, you can upgrade from this package at any time for an additional $15 donation (Upgrade Now). Be a virtual fly-on-the-wall during the recording process!

Download Supporter Package: $25. Add to Cart. Support Now. Supporters at this level receive everything included in the Recording Newsletter Package plus high quality 320 kbps downloads of legacy recordings chosen from the Ancient Future archives of live concerts, radio performances, and unreleased performances, high quality 320 kbps digital downloads of music to be recorded especially for the A.F.A.R. project forming an exclusive preview audio recording with digital liner notes (selections from which will form a final public edition), and the chance to submit feedback to questions posed in the recording newsletter. Until the Limited Edition CD Sponsor Package is sold out, you can upgrade from this package at any time for an additional $25 donation (Upgrade Now). Limited to 300 packages.

Limited Edition CD Sponsor Package: $50. Add to Cart. Support Now. Supporters at this level receive everything included in the Download Supporter Package plus CD quality downloads, and when the project is complete, an exclusive limited edition CD-R of the same recording with printed liner notes signed by Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort (shipping and handling charges apply). Until the Honorary A & R Representative Package is sold out, you can upgrade from this package at any time for an additional $25 donation (Upgrade Now). Limited to 200 packages.

Honorary A & R Representative Package: $75. Add to Cart. Support Now. Supporters at this level receive everything included in the Limited Edition CD Sponsor Package plus 24 bit hi-res audio downloads, and when the project is complete, a DVD-R including video and 24 bit audio files for hi-rez playback on computers (shipping and handling charges apply). This is the perfect package for audiophiles and home studio enthusiasts. Limited to 100 packages.

VIP Donor. Make Tax Deductible Donation. You can also support the project with a tax deductible donation in the amount of your choice through Ancient Future's fiscal sponsorship with InterMusic SF, a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization.

 

35th Anniversary Period

Ancient Future's 35th anniversary year was celebrated by concerts and by the release of the first HD audio/video release in Ancient Future history! Yearning for the Wind is a beautiful video of a scalloped fretboard guitar and tabla duet recorded for The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings. Released as an enhanced CD to promote Ancient Future's fan funded project, the full resolution files were made available as soon as they were recorded to A.F.A.R. supporters.

Yearning for the Wind by Ancient Future (Ancient-Future.Com AF-90352). E-CD Release Date: 7/22/2014. E-CD - $17.98: Add E-CD to Cart. Buy E-CD Now (Ships by 7/22/14).

40th Anniversary Period

Poster (384k .pdf)

Ancient Future performed its 40th Anniversary Concert at the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley, California, on February 12, 2019, exactly 40 years and 1 day after their first concert, which was Feruary 11, 1979, at the Sleeping Lady Cafe in Fairfax. The concert featured the original 1979 band lineup plus band members from Ancient Future's major label releases along with top master musicians from around the world.

New tracks were recorded for the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings, and tour dates were announced, although dates in 2020 and 2021 were cancelled due to the pandemic.

Passings

Gordy Hall (1950 - 2009)

Live performance of "Ocean of Love" by Matthew Montfort. Video by Gordy Hall of Ancient Future at San Anselmo Community Playhouse, 6/6/2003. Shown: Irina Mikhailova (vocals), Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar), Salaheddin Takesh (Arabic percussion), Doug McKeehan (keyboards), Patti Weiss (violin), and Sapphira (world dance)

Gordy Hall was a prominent figure in the music scene of Fairfax, California, which he helped document on video through Gordyo Productions. He was in the midst of editing a major Ancient Future DVD project featuring four different lineups of the group when he was diagnosed with lung cancer. He passed away soon thereafter. His wife, Brilla Hall, arranged a memorial for him on June 28th, 2009 at Peri Park in Fairfax, and many musicians performed in his honor, including Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort. The Ancient Future DVD was never finished, but some videos from the project have been released on Ancient Future's YouTube channel, including Guitar-Sitar Jugalbandi, Ocean of Love, and El Zaffa. Sadly, Brilla Hall passed away in 2014. She was an astrologer, musician, benefactor, and the artist who created the first cover of Matthew Montfort's book, Ancient Traditions - Future Possibilities.

Kenneth Jenkins (1945-2010)

Kenneth Jenkins, later known as Naim Satya, played bass with Ancient Future at dance oriented events in the early 80's, which unfortunately were not documented with recordings. A graduate of Long Beach Poly and the San Francisco Art Institute, Naim lived a career in performing with jazz legends, and ran a recording studio in Fairfax, California, where he enlisted Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort on projects he was producing. He passed away unexpectedly.

Randy Mead (1954 - 2012)

Randy Mead, who composed for and performed with Ancient Future from 1982 to 1986, died unexpectedly on August 5, 2012, from a massive coronary event in his home near Slocan Lake in Eastern British Columbia. He was widely known as an extraordinary flutist, multi-instrumentalist and recording artist, as well as a film and film-score producer. His work can be heard extensively on Ancient Future's Quiet Fire recording.

Phil Fong (1954 - 2016)

On July 18, 2016, original Ancient Future multi-instrumentalist Phil Fong passed away at St. Luke's Hospital in San Francisco after a battle with ALS. He was an amazing musician and one of the most soulful sarod students of Ali Akbar Khan. The amount of emotion in his music was truly remarkable. He was well liked by his Ali Akbar College of Music alumni, and in addition to his work with Ancient Future, he played in a variety of other ensembles, from classical Indian music to punk rock. His work is featured on the first two Ancient Future recordings: Visions of a Peaceful Planet and Natural Rhythms.

Archival Video of Ancient Future with Phil Fong

YouTube video of Ancient Future Circa 1978. Shown: Matthew Montfort, Yusef Ali, Mindia Devi Klein, Phil Fong, Benjy Wertheimer

This video is an amazing archaeological find: the very first video of Ancient Future, recorded in late 1978, months before Ancient Future's first concert! Thanks to Jonah and Mariposa at Marin Artists International who were able to rescue parts of Ancient Future's first video recording session from archival oblivion during the time that Phil was hospitalized. This short teaser from 'Eternal Embrace' by Phil Fong from Visions of a Peaceful Planet was the first release from this archeological expedition. Performances of two complete pieces featuring Phil and the rest of Ancient Future have been recovered, and are now available on the reunion E-CD edition of Visions of a Peaceful Planet.

Stephen Ashton (1942 - 2018)

Stephen Ashton was a central figure in the musical adventure that led to Natural Rhythms. His brother, Joseph Ashton (AKA Yusef Ali), is a multi-instrumentalist who is featured on the very first video of Ancient Future recorded before their first concert. Stephen was a film producer and invited Matthew Montfort and Mindy Klein to do some work in his four track recording studio at his vineyards in Glen Ellen, California. The studio was right next to a pond filled with Pacific tree frogs that inspired an interspecies jam session. Later, Stephen Ashton was on the plane they took to Hong Kong on their way to Bali, leading to an adventure in China before they ended up recording music with Balinese rice paddy frogs. Sadly, his home and studio were destroyed in the Nuns fire in October 2017, and he passed away of natural causes about six months later. His family is rebuilding Ashton Vineyards and they are producing wine again.

Bruce Bowers (1951 - 2020)

Violinist Bruce Bowers performed and recorded with Ancient Future from 1986 to 1988, appearing on Quiet Fire and Dreamchaser. Bruce Bowers and keyboardist Doug McKeehan came to the attention of Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort through their group Air Craft, which released it's first LP in 1985. Air Craft went into hiatus when the pair joined Ancient Future in 1986. After a few years of touring with Ancient Future, Bruce Bowers moved to Wisconsin. In 2015, Air Craft reunited for a couple of concerts, and began a second recording project. Sadly, soon thereafter Bruce was diagnosed with a case of severe prostate cancer that went metastatic. Work continued on the Air Craft project as long as Bruce was physically able. Bruce Bowers passed away in March 2020, and in his honor, master violinists Mads Tolling, Matt Szemela, and Ancient Future's own Jim Hurley helped by contributing parts to finish out the album. Bruce Kaphan, who was the engineer for Ancient Future's Dreamchaser and World Without Walls releases, helped finish the project. Divergent Path was released in 2021 on Craftedair Recordings.

Bill Douglass (1945 -2024)

Bill Douglass, who played upright bass and Chinese flute on World Without Walls and Asian Fusion, passed away in his sleep on February 26, 2024. He was an amazing musician and person, and contributed a lot to Ancient Future and the world music and jazz scenes.

Zakir Hussain (1951 - 2024)

Ancient Future would not have formed if not for tabla master Zakir Hussain. He was an important early influence through his work with Shakti and the Diga Rhythm Band. He was original Ancient Future member Benjy Wertheimer's tabla guru. In the summer of 1977, Benjy Wertheimer and Matthew Montfort came to San Rafael to study North Indian classical music at the Ali Akbar College of Music. They met members of the Diga Rhythm Band, moved into the house that the group rehearsed in, and joined an offshoot of Diga called Greenhouse Intergalactic. Greenhouse Intergalactic opened for Zakir Hussain, and but they messed up a rhythmic cadence in front of Zakir and were so ashamed they immediately broke up. Ancient Future formed out of those ashes. The other group that formed out of those ashes was Sun Orchestra, which was a Latin jazz band with Diga members including Tor Dietrichson, Jim Loveless and Ray Spiegel. They often performed the music of the renowned pianist and composer Carlos Federico. One night Carlos Federico and Zakir Hussain sat in with Sun Orchestra at the Sleeping Lady Cafe, where Ancient Future played its first concert a few months later. Zakir told Matthew Montfort to check his tuning on his B string, and sure enough, it was out of tune. Zakir was performing on timbales, and when Montfort played his first solo of the night, Zakir was right there with him anticipating every single note, which unexpectedly took off into the stratosphere, forever changing Montfort's playing. Zakir played tabla on Ancient Future's World Without Walls release. He was admitted to the hospital in San Francisco on December 15, 2024, where he died a few hours later. The cause of death was listed as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. His passing is a huge loss to music and the world.

Articles Covering Ancient Future (2009 to 2024, Many More TBA)