2008 Issues: February • July • September
September 2008 Issue
Ancient Future Times: Fall Festivals
This is the email newsletter of Ancient Future, the world's longest running musical ensemble dedicated to the mission of the creation of world fusion music and to increasing awareness and understanding of world music traditions.
Listener Sponsored World Fusion Music Update
•Support Report
Ancient Future Guitar-Sitar Jugalbandi at Chico World Music Festival
•Sunday, September 21, 2008
Ancient Future at Sonoma Harvest Fair
•Sunday, October 5, 2008
Pre-Releases on Ancient-Future.Com Records
•Sangria by Mariah Parker and Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort
CD Contest
•Win Sangria by Mariah Parker
Listener Sponsored World Fusion Music Update
by Matthew Montfort
Support Report
We are very sorry if you tried to support Ancient Future's Listener Sponsored World Fusion Music program after its announcement and your credit card was denied. It wasn't you, it was a poor choice in web hosting companies. But the good news is that we have now switched to faster servers, upgraded to the latest shopping cart, and since getting everything working in mid-August, we've raised $675. We'd like to thank the following initial supporters:
Leslie Lawton: Download Supporter Package
Musicians for Peace: Limited Edition CD Sponsor Package
Mettagraphics: Logo Link
Crucial Creative Cause
In December, 1978, Ancient Future went into Tres Virgos Studio in Mill Valley to begin work on the first Ancient Future record, Visions of a Peaceful Planet, which was first released in May of 1979. To commemorate 30 years of world fusion music, a 30th Anniversary Recording Series is planned with work starting in late 2008.
A special download supporter area will be unveiled in December where the work files for the project will be posted as it is being created. Even before new recordings are made, supporters will have access to files from our archives of live concerts and radio performances that are not currently available commercially. They will help serve as examples of possible directions the recording could take.
To fund Ancient Future's 30th Anniversary Recording Series, a subscription system model is being employed. It is a bit like making a "people's label" to fund the recording. There are four supporter packages available. You can be a virtual fly-on-the-wall during the recording process through the Recording Newsletter Package ($10, Buy 1 Now). The Download Supporter Package ($25, Buy 1 Now) includes the newsletter plus downloads of archival recordings and new music as it is recorded. The Limited Edition CD Sponsor Package ($50, Buy 1 Now) includes all of the above plus an exclusive limited edition CD. Finally, the Honorary A & R Representative Package ($75, Buy 1 Now) includes all of the above plus a DVD with video and hi-rez audio.
Contribution Solution
A World Fusion Music Fund has been set up by Octave Alliance's Green Music Network, the nonprofit organization for social change through music started by Ancient-Future.Com artist Alan Tower, and is now accepting tax deductible donations to sponsor world fusion music concerts by Ancient Future.
Links Listings
For just $100 a month you or your business can be a Link Sponsor of Ancient-Future.Com and will be thanked with a text link to your web site from Ancient Future's popular home page and the World Fusion Music Links Page.
Channeling Change
I know it can be difficult to support a cause in times of economic hardship. Being a musician, I'm not without practice coping with economic uncertainty. What I have done lately may be of help to others as well. I quit my favorite vice: coffee. I'm channeling the change I'm saving to help fund Ancient Future, and this week I even splurged and donated to a political campaign. You know, the one for hope and change in the USA. It was my investment in the future. It will be easier to make positive changes through music if society is pointing in a better direction.
Of course, my political donation can effectively be erased by people making donations to the other side. You know, the folksy down-to-earth campaign to support wars, big oil, and tax breaks for the rich. The great thing about contributing to the world fusion music process is that your contribution is not erased by other people contributing to something else. Whoever wins the US election, this sort of work can be of help in creating more understanding between people. Your support can help insure the survival of Ancient Future and the virtuoso world fusion music movement.
"The time has definitely come for world fusion music. Ancient Future is one step ahead of the game; on their side is the philosophical parallel between global consonance and world peace." – SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL
Guitar-Sitar Jugalbandi at Chico World Music Festival
Sunday, September 21, 2008, 1 and 3 pm
Chico World Music Festival
Chico State University
Chico CA 95929
Info: CSU Public Events at 530-898-5917
1:00–2:00 p.m. in Laxson Auditorium
3:00–4:00 p.m. on the Taylor Stage
Ancient Future
Guitar-Sitar Jugalbandi featuring
Pandit Habib Khan (sitar)
Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar)
Arshad Syed (tabla)
A Daniel Pearl World Music Days Concert Celebrating the International Day of Peace
Related Media: Dawn of Love (Montfort). (>video.) This video of the Guitar-Sitar Jugalbandi has been watched over 42,000 times on YouTube! For an explanation of the raga this melody was composed in, check out the 10th edition of the World Rhythms News.
Socha Socha (Khan/Montfort). (>YTmusic<.)North Indian raga featuring Pandit Habib Khan on sitar and Matthew Montfort on scalloped fretboard guitar. From "Planet Passion." (Ancient-Future.Com AF-2001) CD, $17.98: Buy 1 Now.
Ancient Future at Sonoma Harvest Fair
Sunday, October 5, 2008, 3:45 - 6:15 pm
Sonoma County Harvest Fair
Sonoma County Fairgrounds
1350 Bennett Valley Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95402
Adm: $6.
Info: Sonoma County Fair at 707-545-4200.
Ancient Future Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble featuring
Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar)
Mariah Parker (keyboard, santur)
Dartanyan Brown (bass)
Debopriyo Sarker (tabla)
A Daniel Pearl World Music Days Concert
About this Program
This concert will feature music from the Ancient Future band CDs plus the two new recordings to be released soon on the Ancient-Future.Com label.
Pre-Releases on Ancient-Future.Com Records
Available exclusively through the Ancient Future catalog until the Internet release on October 14, 2008, and the general release on CD January 20, 2009.
Sangria by Mariah Parker (Ancient-Future.Com 2017) Pre-Release Signed CD- $24.98: Buy 1 Now. This debut recording features Mariah's original compositions that draw musical inspiration from Brazil, Cuba, Spain, and India. Her Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble includes musicians from the bands Ancient Future, Oregon, Sun Ra, and Herbie Hancock's Headhunters. The CD is not yet in stores, but the first 50 signed and numbered copies are available now. (Read more).
Waterwheel (Mariah Parker) (>YTmusic). Beginning with a bowed bass solo, the fluid tabla in circular 7/8 time takes us flowing around the wheel.
Review
"With her music and her soul, Mariah Parker transcends musical categorization and gives us a window to an ideal world. Her music is uplifting, peaceful yet passionate, and always evolving. The collective spirit of the players on Sangria shines through, enveloping you with exotic texture and inventive play, but what captivates us is Parker’s gift for melody. Although instrumental, her pieces speak and sing to us, sometimes whispering, sometimes asserting, and always giving us great pleasure." – Rebeca Mauléon (Bay area pianist, composer and educator at the forefront of Latin Jazz)
Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort. (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2008). Pre-Release Signed CD- $24.98: Buy 1 Now. The debut recording by Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort showcases his pioneering work on the scalloped fretboard guitar, a special modified instrument able to produce ornaments more characteristic of the sitar. The CD is not yet in stores, but the first 50 signed and numbered copies are available now. (Read more).
Soul Serenade (Matthew Montfort) (>YTmusic). This improvisation in E minor captures the feeling of the initial emergency drive-by serenade that inspired this recording.
First Review from a Seemingly Unlikely Source...
"I first realized Matthew Montfort was a true guitar wizard when he called me on the phone and played me one flawless Hendrix riff after another.We were in the seventh grade. By the time we escaped high school, Matt had gone acoustic, turning coffee house basements into his own planet with fierce improvisations. Now a pioneering master of world fusion, his knowledge and depth are staggering, yet he doesn't let it get in the way of the joy and spirit and soul that we like about music in the first place." – Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedy front man turned spoken word activist, politician and owner of Alternative Tentacles Records)
CD Contest
A free copy of Mariah Parker's Sangria will be awarded to the contestant who submits the best idea to promote or improve the Listener Sponsored World Fusion Music program. To enter, send your idea to info@ancient-future.com. Best idea received by October 1, 2008, wins the CD. Include your shipping address in case you win.
The winner of the Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar CD from last issue's contest was Peter Scherr, a musician in Hong Kong who suggested that Ancient Future contact the State Department about performing overseas. This had been tried, but the Bush appointee in charge of the Cultural Programs Division didn't respond to queries about world fusion music. Hopefully, in spite of the recent divide and conquer/Trojan horse/Wizard of Oz surprise vice-presidential selection amplified by the dark force compliant/ratings hungry corporate media spin machine, reason will in the end prevail and the next administration will put a greater emphasis on sanity in international relations.
July 2008 Issue
Ancient Future Times: Summer Shows
Listener Sponsored World Fusion Music
•Support Report
New Fall Releases on Ancient-Future.Com Records
•Seven Serenades and Sangria
Radio Interview
•Worldstreams.org
Ancient Future Trio Concert
•Santa Clara, California
Guitar-Sitar Jugalbandi Concert
•Winnemucca, Nevada
Ancient Future Nepali Benefit Concert
•Auburn, California
Listener Sponsored World Fusion Music
by Matthew Montfort
Support Report
For the first few decades of Ancient Future seasons, I brought together a diverse set of institutions to provide the support for world fusion music. We had a record deal that included major label distribution and financial support for record production. Even though we had to fight hard to maintain artistic integrity, our victory was that we were able blaze the trail for support for world fusion music from the record industry. Ancient Future was selected as a recommended ensemble for California Arts Council Touring Program support, which paid half of our fee for selected tour dates. While there was no circuit of venues for world fusion music, there were some open minded folk, jazz, and traditional ethnic music presenters who included Ancient Future in their offerings. All of this allowed me to keep Ancient Future afloat and stay true to my mission of bringing world fusion music into the world.
Current Conditions
Due to the downturn in the record industry and the decline of state funding for the arts, most of the institutions in the USA that were supporting Ancient Future either no longer exist, or have drastically cut back their programs and are focusing limited resources on their core missions rather than expanding into new territory. So, for our 30th Anniversary Season coming up, a new support structure for Ancient Future concerts and recordings is needed.
Crucial Creative Cause
This is important because Ancient Future is not just a band, it is a cause. It is a musical organization dedicated to the mission of creating world fusion music, a term I coined in 1978 to describe Ancient Future's unusual blend of musical traditions from around the world. My vision was a musical movement seeking to show how people from different cultures can grow by learning from each other. World fusion is a process by which new traditions are created, and has occurred throughout history. It would be difficult to find a form of traditional music that has not at some time been influenced by the music of another culture. Current times offer the opportunity for musicians to learn music from anywhere on earth. It is my passion and vision for Ancient Future to explore new sonic territory between different traditions, while illuminating the ancient musical knowledge of the world.
It is critical that new innovations based on the knowledge of the world's great traditions are supported, because without new innovation, the art of music can lose its vital spark and relevance in contemporary life. In world fusion music, master musicians from different cultures work together and grow from the exchange. They learn techniques and forms that are new to them, and in a small way act as ambassadors between their peoples. Because it has both familiar and exotic elements, world fusion music has the potential to open people up to music and ideas from cultures other than their own. I believe that the cumulative effect of people appreciating diverse cultures can have very positive ramifications for international relations.
Contribution Solution
Recent cuts in arts programs and changes in the record industry make direct listener support of virtuoso level world fusion music more important than ever. The same Internet that gave listeners the tools to damage the record industry through file sharing also gives them the tools to band together to support the the cause of world fusion music directly. Although these tools make it easy to unite people who already share a single easily Googled common interest, building bridges between cultures takes a lot more effort. So for those music lovers who enjoy the music created through this vibrant musical process, with its potential to open hearts and minds and connect diverse cultures in positive ways, the time has come to get involved.
Please support the cause through the World Fusion Music Support Page (ancient-future.com/donation.html). There you will find a variety of intriguing ways to get involved. For example, for as little as $25 you can become a download subscriber to world fusion music recordings and be a part of the process of creating the next Ancient Future record. For just $100 a month you or your business can be a sponsor of Ancient-Future.Com and will be thanked with a text link to your web site from Ancient Future's popular home page and the World Fusion Music Links Page. A tax deductible donation of $250 helps support touring to your region and you will be thanked with a pair of VIP tickets to the nearest Ancient Future concert or 5 CDs on the Ancient-Future.Com label.
Your support can help insure the survival of Ancient Future and the virtuoso world fusion music movement. Plus with the variety of options explained on the the World Fusion Music Support Page, there is an engaging way for everyone to get involved!
"The time has definitely come for world fusion music. Ancient Future is one step ahead of the game; on their side is the philosophical parallel between global consonance and world peace." - SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL
New Fall Releases on Ancient-Future.Com Records
Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort. (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2008). Pre-Release Signed CD- $24.98: Add 1 to Cart. Buy 1 Now. (Ships starting August 1, 2008). The debut recording by Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort showcases his pioneering work on the scalloped fretboard guitar, a special modified instrument able to produce ornaments more characteristic of the sitar. (Read more).
Sangria by Mariah Parker (Ancient-Future.Com 2017) Signed, pre-release CD- $24.98: Add 1 to Cart. Buy 1 Now. (Ships starting August 1, 2008). This debut recording features Mariah's original compositions that draw musical inspiration from Brazil, Cuba, Spain, and India. Her Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble includes musicians from the bands Ancient Future, Oregon, Sun Ra, and Herbie Hancock's Headhunters. (Read more).
Both are available exclusively through the Ancient Future catalog until the Internet release on October 14, 2008.
Related Media
Sangria (Mariah Parker) (>YTmusic.) Mariah Parker first composed this piece for "Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar" where it appears in a delicate trio arrangement. Mariah later created this large ensemble arrangement, which became the title track of her debut release, "Sangria."
Radio Interview on Worldstreams.org
WorldStreams Radio Interview. Matthew Montfort was interviewed on WorldStreams Radio about his views on world fusion music, Ancient Future history, his rhythm training manual, and his debut CD, "Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar." Originally broadcast July 23, 2008.
WorldStreams.org is an international multi-media internet resource offering diverse programs on music, the arts, culture, world politics and social issues around the world through discourse with both well known people and ordinary individuals with extraordinary stories.
Free Concert in the Park
Sunday, July 20, 2008 ~ 2:30 to 4 pm
Santa Clara Central Park Pavilion
Kiely Blvd. & Homestead Rd.
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Adm: FREE
Ancient Future Trio featuring
Matthew Montfort - scalloped fretboard guitar, Glissentar
Mariah Parker - santur
Arshad Syed - tabla
About this Program
This trio variation of Ancient Future performed at the Festival Internacional de la Guitarra on the golden coast of Spain near Barcelona (see photo above). Matthew Montfort will perform on scalloped fretboard guitar and the Glissentar, an 11 string fretless guitar that sounds much like an oud. He will be joined by Mariah Parker on santur and Arshad Syed on tabla.
In addition to material from the seven Ancient Future band recordings, this concert will feature music from two new recordings to be released this fall on the Ancient-Future.Com label: "Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar" by Matthew Montfort and "Sangria" by Mariah Parker.
Related Media
Ancient Future Trio Repertoire (various composers) (>YTmusic.) Studio recordings of sample repertoire that is played by this band variation of Ancient Future.
El Zaffa (Montfort) 
(>YTmusic.). Original composition based on the Egyptian wedding procession rhythm (elzaffa). From "Planet Passion." (Ancient-Future.Com AF-2001) CD, $17.98: Add 1 to Cart. Buy 1 Now.
Guitar-Sitar Jugalbandi Show in Nevada
Friday, August 15, 2008 ~ 8:00 pm
Great Basin Arts and Entertainment
Martin Hotel
Railroad & Melarkey Streets
Winnemucca, NV 89445
Adm: $10. Email contact@gbae.org for more information.
Ancient Future
Guitar-Sitar Jugalbandi featuring
Pandit Habib Khan ~ sitar
Matthew Montfort ~ scalloped fretboard guitar
Arshad Syed ~ tabla
About this Program
"Jugalbandi" is a classical North Indian musical duet (literally "tied together"), in this case with the unusual configuration of sitar and guitar accompanied by tabla.
This jugalbandi works so well because Matthew Montfort is a guitarist with knowledge of sitar and Pandit Habib Khan has been described as the "Jimi Hendrix of the sitar" by L'ORIENT LE JOUR, Beirut's French language newspaper. As anyone who has seen this dynamic ensemble before knows, this will not be a typical Indian music concert. The ground between jazz, blues, rock, and raga will be explored, and the contrast between guitar and sitar will be shown in both Eastern and Western settings.
Related Media
Dawn of Love (Montfort). (>video.) This video of the Guitar-Sitar Jugalbandi performing Montfort's song "Dawn of Love" has been watched over 40,000 times on YouTube and myspace! For an explanation of the raga this melody was composed in, check out the 10th edition of the World Rhythms News.
Socha Socha (Khan/Montfort). (>YTmusic.) North Indian raga featuring Pandit Habib Khan on sitar and Matthew Montfort on scalloped fretboard guitar. From "Planet Passion." (Ancient-Future.Com AF-2001) CD, $17.98: Add 1 to Cart. Buy 1 Now.
Ama Foundation & Himalayan Designs Presents
An Evening at Swarga-Dwari (the Gates of Heaven)
Saturday, August 23, 2008 ~ 5:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Swarga Dwari, Himalayan Designs Garden
1660 Old Airport Road
Auburn, CA 95602
Suggested donation: $30 per person to Ama Foundation. Free admission for children. RSVP by August 17, 2008 to 510.847.2889 or info@ama-foundation.org (If you make a last minute decision please come anyway).
Ancient Future Trio featuring
Matthew Montfort - scalloped fretboard guitar, glissentar
Mariah Parker - santur
Joe Fajen - tabla, percussion
About this Program
This concert is a benefit performance for the Ama Foundation, which provides a home for 39 impoverished children in Nepal. There will be beautiful carved wood Sattals (gazebos) and a Shiva temple imported by Himalayan Designs from Nepal. A Nepali dinner and no host bar will be followed by live performances by Ancient Future and the Davis Nepali group.
The program will include material from Ancient Future's repertoire, including Simsimay Panima (In the Falling Rain), a cyclical Nepali song with an almost infinite number of verses. Traditionally, boys and girls would take turns singing these verses, making them up as they went along, and using them to tease one another in a flirtatious manner, but in Ancient Future's version, the exchanges are instrumental improvisations.
Related Media
Simsimay Panima (Traditional. New arrangement and composition by Matthew Montfort). (>YTmusic.) From high in the Himalayas comes the call and response of love’s first meeting in this Nepali folk song about flirting from the "Planet Passion" recording. Add 1 to Cart. Buy 1 Now.
February 2008 Issue
Ancient Future Times: Back from India
Back from India to 29 Years of World Fusion Music
Back from India to 29 Years of World Fusion Music
Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort and Pandit Habib Khan performed at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay in January. They had a great time performing an Indian jazz summit with South Indian saxophone master Dr. Kadri Gopalnath, tabla phenom Vijay Ghate, and John Waller on drum set.
Special thanks go out to Rekha Alur, one of Pandit Habib Khan's best vocal students, who helped with the travel costs for Montfort's participation in the concert. Because it was a last minute trip for Montfort, the logistics dictated that he fly in just a day before the concert and leave the day after, with over 36 hours of travel each way and multiple layovers. The performance was a wonderful experience, but it is taking quite a while to recover from the jet lag and the band business work that piled up as a result of being away from the computer. Because of this, hoped for celebrations of the 29th anniversary of Ancient Future's first concert (February, 11 1979) and Montfort's 50th birthday (February 12, 1958) had to be postponed. So the Leap Day Night Concert in Sebastopol dedicates the extra day in February to serve both functions!
Related Media
Socha Socha (Khan/Montfort). North Indian raga from the Planet Passion recording featuring Pandit Habib Khan on sitar.
Dawn of Love (Montfort). (>video.) This video of the Guitar-Sitar Jugalbandi performing Montfort's song Dawn of Love is becoming quite popular on youtube.
Leap Day Night Dinner Concert
Friday, February 29 ~ 8:30 pm
French Garden Restaurant
8050 Bodega Ave, Sebastopol, CA 95472
Ancient Future trio featuring
Matthew Montfort - scalloped fretboard guitar, glissentar
Mariah Parker - santur, keyboards
Faisal Zedan - Arabic percussion
With belly dancers Soonyana and Rhada
Adm: $18 adv, $25 door.
Bios
Scalloped fretboard guitar pioneer Matthew Montfort is the leader of Ancient Future and coined the term “world fusion music” when the band was germinating. He has performed concerts world wide, including at the Festival Internacional de la Guitarra on the golden coast of Spain near Barcelona and at the Mumbai Festival at the Gateway of India in Bombay. He will also be performing on the Glissentar, an 11 string fretless guitar that sounds much like an oud. He is the author of the book "Ancient Traditions - Future Possibilities" on the rhythmic traditions of Africa, Bali, and India.
Syrian-born Faisal Zedan has played with many great Arabic musicians, such as Ali Jihad Racy, Julien Jâlal Eddine Weiss, and the band Kanzaman. Through teamwork and daily practice, Faisal is dedicated to keeping Arabic music alive, and inspiring fellow musicians to have a selfless approach to playing music.
Mariah Parker (santur and hammered dulcimer, keys) has worked with Dumisani Maraire (the brilliant Shona musician), Paulina Oliveros (the very well-known composer), and with tabla master Anuradha Pal (considered one of the best female musicians of India). She is soon to release her first recording, Sangria, on the Ancient-Future.Com label.