2010 Issues: January • February • March • April • June • July • August • September • October • December
December 2010 Issue
Welcome to the Ancient Future Times/Future Ancient Record
Email newsletter of the World Fusion Music Ensemble Ancient Future/Parallel Universe A.F.A.R. Newsletter
Ancient Future Times: Updates
Major Ancient Future Web Site Update
•Sale to Celebrate Store Catalog Upgrade plus Skype Lessons to Celebrate Education Section Upgrade!
KPFA Crafts Fair Concert
•December 12, 2 pm, Concourse, San Francisco, CA
Future Ancient Record: Video from a Parallel Universe
An Ancient Future from Now In a Parallel Universe...Paleontologists Discover the Future Ancient Record
•A Message from Evolved Beings from the Future
The Ancient Future Times
World Music Newsletter of the Band Ancient Future
Major Ancient Future Web Site Update
Sale to Celebrate Store Catalog Upgrade plus Skype Lessons to Celebrate Education Section Upgrade!
The Ancient Future Web site is undergoing a very major update. Ancient-Future.Com was designed in the early 1990's and built in a word processor on an Atari ST! Ancient-Future.Com was one of the first sites optimized for dial up connections to present world music in an interesting manner, so it garnered a lot of awards in the early days of the Internet.
The site is being redesigned to take advantage of the latest web developments, including improved graphics, CSS, and a new navigation system with a cave wall theme. The Education and Catalog sections of the site have already been updated. There are six more major sections of the site with over 100 pages left to complete. This is a very major project requiring hundreds and hundreds of hours of painstaking work, so please excuse the cave dust while the Ancient Future is being upgraded.
To celebrate the completion of the Catalog section of the site, we are having a major sale through December 31 with free shipping in the USA, sale prices on new CD releases and books, and reduced prices on select items throughout the store! CDs especially make excellent gifts. Putting a CD on a stereo system makes listening to music a beautiful ritual, something that is getting lost in the Internet culture. The holidays are a great time to bring back the concept of deep listening to music!
We've also added some new features to the Education section. There are new online lessons and articles on world rhythms, melody, and instruments. In addition, Skype lessons are available for all of the subjects covered! So if you have ever wanted to study privately with the leader of Ancient Future, but don't live in the San Francisco Bay Area, now is your chance.
KPFA Crafts Fair Concert
Sunday, December 12, 2010, 2 pm, Ancient Future Duet featuring Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar) and Mariah Parker (santur), KPFA Crafts Fair, Concourse Exhibition Center, 635 8th Street at Brannan, San Francisco, CA 94103-4901. Admission: $10 general, $8 for folks over 65 years old or disabled, under 17 free. 100% of the profit from this event goes to KPFA.
The Future Ancient Record
Newsletter from a Parallel Universe A.F.A.R.
The Story of A.F.A.R.
An Ancient Future from Now In a Parallel Universe...Paleontologists Discover the Future Ancient Record
An ancient future from now in a parallel universe, paleontologists discover a disc, mysteriously labeled "AFAR," completely intact inside a fossilized jellyfish species that evolved to make use of plastic floating in the ocean as cartilage. Eventually they discover that the disc contains code for reproducing music using a primitive digital technology. For encoded on the disc is music from A.F.A.R., the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings by the world fusion music group Ancient Future.
This video from the future ancient was mysteriously transported through the Ancient Future time portal.
A Message from Evolved Beings from the Future
Kent Jones of the Rachel Maddow Show thinks he's in a Geico commercial when he finds himself in a time portal connecting parallel universes while visiting Ancient-Future.Com. But it turns out he is there to cover the story of the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings by the world music group Ancient Future...
Inspired to subscribe to A.F.A.R? We'll meet you in the Ancient Future. Don't be late!
Subscribe Now at $10 Level • $25 Level • $50 Level • $75 Level
128 kbps Download • Premium Download • Highest Quality CD • Hi Res on DVD
October 2010 Issue
Welcome to the Ancient Future Times/Future Ancient Record
Email newsletter of the World Fusion Music Ensemble Ancient Future/Parallel Universe A.F.A.R. Newsletter
Ancient Future Times: Ancient Future on Rachel Maddow Show
California Concerts
•October 21, House Concert, San Francisco; October 23, Trinity Chamber Concerts, Berkeley; November 3, Sonoma Valley Regional Library, Sonoma
Free MP3 at San Francisco Classical Voice
•SFCV Celebrates Concerts with free mp3 of “Sangria” from Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar
S.F. Chronicle Pink Section Picks Ancient Future
•Ancient Future at Trinity Chamber Concerts is Bay Area Arts and Entertainment Pick for Saturday, October 23
Ancient Future Plays Thingamajigs on Rachel Maddow
•Kent Jones Reports on Strange Instruments at Thingamajigs Fest
Future Ancient Record: Rachel Maddow Show in Parallel Universe
Ancient Future on Rachel Maddow Show in Parallel Universe
•Kent Jones of the Rachel Maddow Show Gets Lost in a Time Vortex While Listening to the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings by Ancient Future.
The Ancient Future Times
World Music Newsletter of the Band Ancient Future
California Concerts
Thursday, October 21, 2010, 7:30 pm, Natural Resonance Concert Series Presents Ancient Future Duet featuring Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar, Glissentar) and Mariah Parker (santur), Natural Resonance Concert Series, House Concert @ home of Steve & Diane Leonoudakis, San Francisco CA 94117. Tix: $15 adv, $20 at the door. The program focuses on works making full use of the natural resonance of the scalloped fretboard guitar, Glissentar (11 string fretless guitar), and santur. Press Release.
Saturday, October 23, 2010, 8 pm, Ancient Future in World Chamber Music Program featuring Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar, Glissentar) Mariah Parker (Steinway grand piano, santur) and Ian Dogole (percussion), Trinity Chamber Concerts, Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana Street between Bancroft Way & Durant Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704. Tix: $15 General, $10 Senior/ Disabled/ Student. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. The program focuses on world chamber music by Matthew Montfort, Mariah Parker and contemporary composers such as Egberto Gismonte and Lou Harrison. Press Release.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010, 7 pm, The Sonoma County Libraries Present Ancient Future In Concert Celtic Raga Program Featuring Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar, Glissentar) with Ferhan Qureshi (tabla), Sonoma Valley Regional Library, 755 West Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476. Free admission. Info: Call Stephan Buffy at 707-996-5217. The Celtic Raga program includes a premier performance of a gat in Rag Kalyan by Matthew Montfort and a raga development treatment of the traditional Celtic tune, “Banish Misfortune.” Press Release.
Free MP3 at San Francisco Classical Voice
To celebrate Ancient Future's fall concerts, for the week of October 19 through 26, the San Francisco Classical Voice is hosting a free mp3 of Mariah Parker's composition “Sangria,” from Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort.
“Matthew Montfort has been perfecting his technique on the scalloped fretboard guitar for over 30 years. After decades performing with the world music collective Ancient Future, his first solo release, Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar, puts the focus firmly on this unique instrument. Made by carving out the wood between frets on a standard guitar, the scalloped fretboard allows Matthew to create embellishments that are reminiscent of a sitar. Sample the sounds of his signature instrument as they intertwine with composer Mariah Parker’s santur and the violin of Patti Weiss. Matthew Montfort will be appearing with Ancient Future on Oct. 21st in San Francisco and Oct. 23rd in Berkeley.” — SAN FRANCISCO CLASSICAL VOICE
S.F. Chronicle Pink Section Picks Ancient Future
The San Francisco Chronicle Sunday Datebook (Pink Section), selected Ancient Future's performance at Trinity Chamber Concerts as their Bay Area arts and entertainment pick for Saturday, October 23. Below is their recommendation:
S
MUSIC
Ancient Future
“Ancient Future is the first and longest-running musical organization of its kind and a pioneer of creating world fusion music. Ancient Future has collaborated with master musicians from more than two dozen countries, cultures and musical traditions. It's a large multinational ensemble with an outgrowth of smaller ensembles. All are dedicated to creating a musical world without borders. $10-$15. 8 p.m. Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Berkeley. www.trinitychamberconcerts.com.” — Kathleen Dixon, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
Ancient Future Plays Thingamajigs on Rachel Maddow
Kent Jones Reports on Strange Instruments Played at Thingamajigs Festival
Matthew Montfort of Ancient Future was interviewed and performed on the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC on Friday, September 24th, 2010. Kent Jones, the Rachel Maddow Show's pop-culturist, was in San Francisco September 23rd and 24th to cover the opening of the Music for People and Thingamajigs Festival. The “Just Enough” with Kent Jones segment featured interviews with Matthew Montfort and some of the other Music for People and Thingamajig Festival performers.
A selection from Matthew Montfort's Music for People and Thingamajigs Festival performance was the only music from the festival that was featured on the Rachel Maddow show. Montfort performed his piece, “Purple Raga,” from his Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar recording, but in this unusual arrangement, he was accompanied at the end by Bui Huu Nhut, a master of the dan bau, a traditional Vietnamese single string instrument with an indigenous version of a whammy bar. The two performed a spontaneous improvisation based on the guitar solo section of “Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix. They received a standing ovation from the festival audience.
Video Transcript Excerpts
Rachel Maddow: So here's the bad news. On the day that we find out that a fist fight broke out in the stands between a man and two women no less, while Sharron Angle was speaking at a candidate forum in Nevada, on the day that Stephen Colbert braids performance art and politics together so tightly that he almost pops immigration reform out of Congress with the sheer pressure of his wit, on the day we actually get in the mail the stink mailer from the crazy Carl for Governor campaign in New York, the piece of direct mail scented with the smell of land fill, on the day when we most need a man of Kent Jones' talents to make sense of the world around us, Kent is on vacation. That's the bad news. We need him. He's gone. The good news is that it turns out that Kent does some freaky crazy weird stuff on vacation and then pops into a studio to tell us about it. Kent, did you seriously do what I heard you did today?
Kent Jones: Ah, well, I mean this depends on what you think it is that I “did” today. I'm in San Francisco and I think that I helped the people of San Francisco advance music to the next level. That's what I think I was doing today. So, may I present the Festival of Music for People and Thingamajigs. (Matthew Montfort and Bui Huu Nhut perform)
Kent Jones: This is a guitar, but not like one we know. Tell me about this.
Matthew Montfort: Right, this guitar actually has no frets on it. And so it's basically a combination of an oud and a guitar.
Gretchen Jude: This is a koto, a traditional Japanese instrument. And this is a photo koto. They react to light in a way you will hear when I play.
Kent Jones: Could you play a little bit for me, please?
Gretchen Jude: Of course. Actually, your cameraman can play?
Kent Jones: What? How does that work?
Gretchen Jude: OK. The light comes in here. Ready? (Sound of photo koto reacting to the camera light)
Kent Jones: That was my cameraman playing the photo koto. It's a first.
Rachel Maddow: Kent, if you come back to the office without that thing, that makes noise when you hit it with light, I'll be very angry.
Kent Jones: I'm going to need a bigger desk, I'm just saying right now.
Rachel Maddow: And also maybe a larger overhead compartment for the flight home...but...
Kent Jones: That goes without saying.
Rachel Maddow: Thank you, Kent. Happy vacation.
Kent Jones: Thank you.
The Future Ancient Record
Newsletter from a Parallel Universe A.F.A.R.
Ancient Future on Rachel Maddow Show in Parallel Universe
Kent Jones of the Rachel Maddow Show Gets Lost in a Time Vortex While Listening to the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings by Ancient Future
Meanwhile, in a parallel universe, the Rachel Maddow Show continued with its exploration of the farthest reaches of musical culture. Above is a video of the latest installment of the parallel universe “Just Enough” with Kent Jones.
Stay tuned at Ancient-Future.Com, because this Halloween, we expect to get a new transmission in the time communication portal from the evolved beings of the future that Kent Jones met at Ancient-Future.Com. We'll broadcast this via the Ancient Future Times to you soon thereafter!
Youtube Video Transcript
(Embed video code available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmF49JKWjfo)
Announcer: And now, from a parallel universe, the Rachel Maddow Show on X.N.N.B.C!
Rachel Maddow: So here's the bad news. On the day that we find out that Sarah Palin quit Fox News to restart her music career by making a new age flute recording with Yanni, on the day that Glenn Beck hosts an Islamic heavy metal band an his show, on the day when we most needed a man of Kent Jones talents to make sense of the world around us, Kent was lost in a time vortex. That's the bad news. We needed him. He was gone. The good news is that it turns out that Kent did some freaky crazy weird stuff in the vortex, and then beamed in to tell us about it. Kent, did you seriously do what I heard you did today?
Kent Jones: Ah, well, I mean this depends on what you think it is that I “did” today! I was in the Ancient Future and I think that I helped the people of earth advance music to the next level. That's what I think I was doing today. So, may I present the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings by Ancient Future!
Rachel Maddow: Ancient Future? Archive of Future Ancient Recordings? Are you still lost in the time vortex?
Kent Jones: Ancient Future is a band, but not like the one's we know. They are a world music group that fuses music from many different traditions, and they are working on a new project of cross-cultural collaborations: the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings. I met the band's leader, Matthew Montfort, when I was in San Francisco covering the “Festival of Music for People and Thingamajigs.” So I was at the band's website, Ancient-Future.Com, checking out their new fan funded recording project, when I found myself in a time communication portal and I ended up talking to an evolved being from the future!
Rachel Maddow: Sounds cool! Would I get to talk to an evolved being if I visit Ancient-Future.Com?
Kent Jones: Well, you are Rachel Maddow, and Republicans won't talk with you, but I don't think you will have quite the same problem with evolved beings from the future!
Rachel Maddow: Kent, if you come back from your time travels without bringing some of the music by Ancient Future, the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings, I'll be very angry.
Kent Jones: I'm going to need a bigger iPod, I'm just saying right now.
Rachel Maddow: Well, for a big archive, you deserve a big iPod! Happy time travels!
Support the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings
Download Supporter:$25 (320 kbps downloads). Subscribe @ $25. Limited Edition CD Sponsor: $50 (downloads plus CD-R upon completion). Subscribe @ $50. Honorary A & R Representative: $75 (all previous plus DVD-R upon completion). Subscribe @ $75.
To date, we've collected $2115 towards our goal of raising $25,000 to support the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings. Now we are almost 10 percent of the way towards our goal. Please sign up for A.F.A.R. now and join us on this creative cross-cultural journey!
September 2010 Issue
Ancient Future Times: Dinner Percussion Playshop Party and Fall Concerts
World Fusion Jam and Dinner Percussion Playshop Party
•September 15, Peña Pachamama, San Francisco
Fall Concerts
•September 23, Thingamajigs Festival, San Francisco; September 25, Rincon Valley Library, Santa Rosa; October 1, Sonoma County Harvest Fair, Santa Rosa; October 21, House Concert, San Francisco; October 23, Trinity Chamber Concerts, Berkeley; November 3, Sonoma Valley Regional Library, Sonoma
New Song Added to A.F.A.R.
•Seventh track to the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings!
World Fusion Jam and Dinner Percussion Playshop Party
Wednesday, September 15, 2010, 7:30 pm
Dinner Starts: 6 pm
Peña Pachamama
1630 Powell near Union
San Francisco CA 94133
Tix: $10, $12 if no food is ordered. Info: 415-646-0018 or visit www.penapachamama.org.
Facebook Event: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=125413924175298
Poster: www.ancient-future.com/pdf/9_15_10_pachamama.pdf
Press Release: www.ancient-future.com/pr_9_15_10.html
Ancient Future leader and world music for guitar pioneer Matthew Montfort will lead a world fusion jam on both the scalloped fretboard guitar, a special modified instrument able to produce ornaments more characteristic of the sitar, and on a Godin Glissentar, an 11 string fretless guitar based on the oud. Guest artist Patti Weiss will join him on violin.
The show will begin with a 'Dinner Percussion Playshop Party' in which Montfort will instruct and encourage members of the audience who are so inclined to perform simple rhythms from his book, Ancient Traditions — Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India, using dinner utensils and body percussion. The best playshop participants may be chosen to perform in the world fusion jam later in the evening. Musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments.
Fall Concert Schedule
Thursday, September 23, 8 pm, Thingamajigs Festival featuring Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar, Godin Glissentar), Pauchi Sasaki, Adam Fong, Gretchen Jude, NOHspace, 2840 Mariposa Street, San Francisco, CA 94110. Tix: $15 general $10 students/seniors (sliding scale).
Saturday, September 25, 2010, 2 pm, Celtic Raga Program Featuring Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar, Glissentar) with Ferhan Qureshi (tabla), Rincon Valley Library, 6959 Montecito Blvd., Santa Rosa, CA 95409. Free. Info: Call Anne Marie Murphy at 707-537-0162. Press Release.
Friday, October 1, 2010, 3:30 - 6:45 pm, Ancient Future World Jazz Ensemble performance featuring Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar), Mariah Parker (keyboard, santur), Kash Killian (bass, cello), and Ian Dogole (percussion), Sonoma County Harvest Fair, Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95402. Adm: $6.
Thursday, October 21, 2010, 7:30 pm, Natural Resonance Concert Series Presents Ancient Future Duet in House Concert, Natural Resonance Concert Series, House Concert @ home of Steve & Diane Leonoudakis, San Francisco CA 94117. Tix: $15 online and $20 at the door. Reservations email: Steve Leonoudakis at stepndi@gmail.com. Press Release.
Saturday, October 23, 2010, 8 pm, Ancient Future in World Chamber Music Program, Trinity Chamber Concerts, Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana Street between Bancroft Way & Durant Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704. Tix: $15 General, $10 Senior/ Disabled/ Student. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. To reserve a ticket call 510-549-3864. Press Release
Wednesday, November 3, 2010, 7 pm, The Sonoma County Libraries Present Ancient Future In Concert Celtic Raga Program Featuring Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar, Glissentar) with Ferhan Qureshi (tabla), Sonoma Valley Regional Library, 755 West Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476. Info: Call Stephan Buffy at 707-996-5217. Press Release.
New Song Added to A.F.A.R.
Video of New Song in the Archive
Ancient Future performing Guitar-Sitar Jugalbandi version of 'Dawn of Love'
(Subscribe to A.F.A.R. to download audio):
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDJet-KlQLU
Your Financial Support Makes a Difference!
Download Supporter:$25 (320 kbps downloads). Subscribe @ $25. Limited Edition CD Sponsor: $50 (downloads plus CD-R upon completion). Subscribe @ $50. Honorary A & R Representative: $75 (all previous plus DVD-R upon completion). Subscribe @ $75.
To date, we've collected $2115 towards our goal of raising $25,000 to support the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings. Now we are almost 10 percent of the way towards our goal. Please sign up for A.F.A.R. now and join us on this creative cross-cultural journey!
August 2010 Issue
Welcome to the Ancient Future Times
Email newsletter of the World Fusion Music Ensemble Ancient Future
Ancient Future Times: Summer Sale, SoCal Tour, Dinner Duet & Workshop
Rare Ancient Future Southern California Concert Tour
•July 28, The Waterfront Theater, Marina del Rey; July 31, The Fret House, Covina; August 1, Friends of Swanirvar Los Angeles Benefit, Altadena; August 2, Yoga Soup, Santa Barbara
Summer Sale Celebrates New Rave Reviews and Placements
•Celebrating Rave Reviews and Feature Articles with Sale on Books and CDs!
Indian Independence Day Dinner Duet Percussion Playshop
•August 15, Junnoon, Palo Alto; August 18, Peña Pachamama, San Francisco
Free Private Music Lessons and Consultations
•Introductory Music Lesson or Music Production Consultation with Matthew Montfort
New Challenge A.F.A.R. Nearly Met
•Join in the Creation of the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings
Rare Ancient Future Southern California Tour
Mariah Parker and Matthew Montfort Photo by Jialiang Len Gao
This is Ancient Future's first concert tour of Southern California since 1998. A duet version Ancient Future featuring scalloped fretboard guitarist Matthew Montfort and santurist Mariah Parker will perform music from Ancient Future's broad repertoire.
Ancient Future performing duet version of 'Moonbath' at 30th Anniversary Concert
(Subscribe to A.F.A.R. to download this song now!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGIliJuyfvs
Southern California Tour Itinerary: Public Concerts
- Wednesday, July 28, 8 pm, The Waterfront Theater, 4211 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292. Tix: $10 adv, $12 door. Doors open: 7:30. Press Release. Poster.pdf.
- Saturday, July 31, 8 pm, The Fret House, 309 N. Citrus Ave., Covina, CA 91723. Tix: $13 advance, $15 door. Press Release. Poster.pdf.
- Sunday, August 1, 7:30 pm, Friends of Swanirvar Los Angeles Benefit, Folly Bowl, 1601 E. Loma Alta Drive, Altadena, CA 91001. Tix: $20 suggested donation.
- Monday, August 2, 7:30 pm, Yoga Soup, 28 Parker Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Tix: $12 advance, $15 door. Info: www.yogasoup.com. Press Release. Poster.pdf.
Summer Sale Celebrates New Rave Reviews and Placements
Celebrating Rave Reviews and Feature Articles with Sale on Books and CDs!
On Sale Celebrating Media Coverage of World Rhythm Training Manual
Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali and India. By Matthew Montfort. ISBN 0-937879-00-2. Comb bound book, $46.95 (summer sale: $33.95): Buy Link. Companion 2 volume audio CD set plus CD-ROM with MIDI soundfiles: $39.95. (summer sale: $27.95): Buy Link. Book and audio CD set with MIDI soundfiles: $74.95 (summer sale: $53.95): Buy Link.
Book Review: Ancient Traditions — Future Possibilities
“This is one of the finest, well planned, easy to understand instructional texts I have ever read. Matthew, founder of the trendsetting world music ensemble, Ancient Future, has written an excellent book on mastering rhythmic techniques of India, Bali and Africa. Not only is the music of each culture well explained, but also there are chapters on combining these elements to create new rhythmic possibilities. He presents the rhythmic structures from three cultures in graduated exercises that all musicians can utilize to expand their musical horizons. If you're bored with playing the same old 4/4 rhythms then this book is for you. Highly recommended.” — Ben Kettlewell, AlternateMusicPress.Com, July, 2010. Read full review.
On Sale Celebrating Media Coverage of Ancient Future
Planet Passion by Ancient Future (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2010) $17.98 list (summer sale: $14): Buy Link. (>YTmusic.)
CD Review: Ancient Future: Planet Passion – 30th Anniversary Edition
“Described as 'world fusion music' by guitarist Matthew Montfort who founded the group in 1978, Ancient Future broke new ground in combining musical styles from around the world before such a concept was popular, as it is today. Yet, even now, few groups cross as many borders to create such a United Nations of music as Ancient Future. By integrating music from Indian, Nepali, African, Cuban, Celtic, Arabic, Palestinian, Jewish, Indonesian, Chinese, Eastern European, and American traditions, the album provides a shining example of the unity and harmony that can be achieved by different cultures sharing and learning from each other.” — Michael Diamond, AWARENESS MAGAZINE, May/June 2010.
Critics Pick: Ancient Future in concert July 31 in Covina
“Ancient Future celebrates 30 years of world fusion music and will be in concert at the Fret House in Covina on July 31 at 8:00 pm. It is the group's first tour of Southern California since 1998. This group is a pioneer in fusion music and they continue to play this music today as strongly as ever. If you like fusion, go see Ancient Future. I think you'll enjoy them.” — Oscar Brooks, LA JAZZ MUSIC EXAMINER, July 16, 2010
On Sale Celebrating Media Coverage of Matthew Montfort
Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort. (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2008). $17.98 (summer sale: $14): Buy Link. (>YTmusic)
CD Review: Matthew Montfort: Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar
“This unusual guitar album brings together world instruments to complement the scalloped fretboard guitar. Starting with ‘Gauri the Golden’, an improvisational piece drawing heavily on Indian raga, this is an intriguing collection of the resulting compositions. I must admit that sometimes ragas played by guitar players seem to wander on forever, changing a note here and there and weaving a kind of slow, hypnotic journey. However, this guitar work is stunning, intricate and wonderfully melodic. If you are looking for good listening and something different for your CD shelf, this is it.” — J.W. McClure, VICTORY REVIEW ACOUSTIC MUSIC MAGAZINE, April, 2010.
Article: Great Acoustics: 1974 Gibson SJ Deluxe (From Full Page Feature on Montfort's Guitar)
“Matthew Montfort, who leads the world-fusion group Ancient Future, has not only had the same guitar for almost four decades, but has significantly modified the instrument to suit his evolving playing style. Purchased around 1974 for Montfort by his father ... the Gibson SJ Deluxe ... has helped him develop a unique playing style that merges the sounds of the South Indian vina with that of a flatpicked steel-string guitar. In 1978, Montfort met Ervin Somogyi, who was still early in his career as a luthier, and together they began experimenting—first lightly scalloping the guitar’s existing rosewood fingerboard, then installing a scalloped replacement fingerboard made out of ebony.” — Teja Gerken, ACOUSTIC GUITAR MAGAZINE, August 2010.
Concert Review: San Francisco Guitar Summit
“Playing both a scalloped fretboard and fretless guitar, he wowed the audience with soulful renditions of his own compositions and arrangements. Montfort was by turns informative and virtuostic, explaining the Indian raga (or musical mode) and then demonstrating with his Hendrix-drenched 'Purple Raga' and Hibernian 'Celtic Raga.' His highly animated playing style threw into stark contrast Gerken’s quieter, more focused performance. When both were on stage, however, Montfort’s energy was infectious; soon both performers were bobbing and swaying to the beat as only musicians having a good time can” — James Keith, CaliforniaBeat.Org, June 7, 2010. Read full review.
On Sale Celebrating Media Coverage of Mariah Parker
Sangria by Mariah Parker (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2017). $17.98 (summer sale: $14): Buy Link. (>YTmusic).
CD Review: Sangria Makes O’s Place Jazz Favorites July 14-21
“The blending of musical cultures here works extremely well! 'Debajo De La Lluvia' had a light bossa move feel. We also enjoyed 'Pente' in a sort of 5/4 time signature and the heavily syncopated 'Milo's Moment'. Sangria has a cool karma and very pleasant feel.” — D. Oscar Groomes, OsPlaceJazz.Com Favorites, July 14-21, 2010
Indian Independence Day Dinner Duet Percussion Playshop
Ancient Future Duet (Arshad Syed and Mathew Montfort)
Summer is a terrific time to enjoy these delightful dinner events: creative cuisine matched with magical music! And August 18 is a chance to experience the first 'Dinner Percussion Playshop Party:' learning world rhythms at a festive dinner party with dinner utensil and body percussion, no previous musical training required!
- Sunday, August 15, 6 to 8 pm, 'A Tryst with Junnoon: 63rd Indian Independence Day Celebrations' with live Indian fusion music by Ancient Future, Celtic Raga Duet featuring Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar, Glissentar) with Arshad Syed (tabla, santoor), Junnoon Restaurant, 150 University Avenue. Palo Alto CA 94301. No cover for restaurant customers. Reservations recommended. Doors open: 5 pm. Press Release.
- Wednesday, August 18, 2010, 6:30 pm and 8 pm, 'Dinner Percussion Playshop Party' 6:30 pm followed by World Music for Guitar Performance by Matthew Montfort at 8 pm, Peña Pachamama, 1630 Powell near Union, San Francisco CA 94133. Tix: Guitar concert only or dinner percussion playshop only: $12, $14 if no food is ordered. Both the guitar concert and dinner percussion playshop: $20, $24 if no food is ordered. Peña Pachamama Special: Dinner entree, drink, dinner percussion playshop, and guitar concert: $39.95. Dinner starts at 6 pm. For info visit www.penapachamama.org. Press Release.
Free Private Music Lessons and Consultations
Introductory Music Lesson or Production Consultation with Matthew Montfort
This August, Matthew Montfort is offering a free introductory 1/2 hour private session or phone consultation to potential students and music production clients. The free introductory sessions are available on Mondays and Wednesdays, first come first serve, schedule permitting.
Matthew Montfort teaches all styles of guitar and many other plucked instruments along with music theory, reading skills, improvisation, rhythm skills, and repertoire for all instruments. He offers custom video and audio lessons by mail and the internet, and is now accepting a limited number of students in San Rafael and San Francisco, California. For more information on his teaching practice, visit matthewmontfort.com.
Matthew Montfort is also offering a free 1/2 hour record production project consultation via phone or in person in San Rafael. As a record producer, mastering engineer, and audio restoration expert, he accepts a limited number of projects at his studio in San Rafael, California, that he feels could benefit the most from his unique skills, which include a process he developed he calls 'Tuned Harmonic' mastering and mixing to tune the recording adjustments exactly to the tonalities of the music. For more information on his music production practice, visit matthewmontfort.com.
Develop a musical success of your own! Email info@ancient-future.com or call 415-459-1892 to schedule a free initial session by phone or in person.
New Challenge A.F.A.R. Nearly Met
Join in the Creation of the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings
In June, the A.F.A.R. challenge was for ten new subscribers to add a seventh track to the archive. We've added seven new subscribers since then, so we only need 3 more to add the seventh track!
Your Financial Support of as Little as $10 Makes a Difference!
Recording Newsletter: $10 (receive 128 kbps downloads). Subscribe @ $10. Download Supporter:$25 (320 kbps downloads). Subscribe @ $25. Limited Edition CD Sponsor: $50 (all previous plus CD-R upon completion). Subscribe @ $50. Honorary A & R Representative: $75 (all previous plus DVD-R upon completion). Subscribe @ $75.
The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings concept is to involve you, fans of world fusion music, in supporting the creation of a collection of new live and studio recordings that are available to subscribers as they are created. When the archive is complete, the best of the collection will be selected for release as the eighth Ancient Future release.
To date, we've raised $1445 towards our goal of $25,000 for the project. When we reach $2500, we will have the funds to record the first brand new studio track for the archive.
In the meantime, we are mixing and mastering multitrack recordings of live concerts for the archive. Your support at $10 or more can be what puts 'Dawn of Love' by Matthew Montfort in the archive! A video of this piece has been watched over 128,000 times on youtube. Please sign up for A.F.A.R. now and join us on this creative cross-cultural journey!
July 2010 Issue
Ancient Future Times: SoCal Concert Tour
Rare Ancient Future Southern California Concert Tour
•July 28, The Waterfront Theater, Marina Del Rey; July 31, The Fret House, Covina; August 1, Friends of Swanirvar Los Angeles Benefit, Altadena; August 2, Yoga Soup, Santa Barbara
Social Networking Contest
•Best social networking or blog post about Ancient Future's Southern California tour wins choice of free concert tickets or CD.
Rare Ancient Future Southern California Tour
Mariah Parker and Matthew Montfort Photo by Jialiang Len Gao
This is Ancient Future's first concert tour of Southern California since 1998. A duet version Ancient Future featuring scalloped fretboard guitarist Matthew Montfort and santurist Mariah Parker will perform music from Ancient Future's broad repertoire, including three current releases on Ancient-Future.Com Records celebrating 30 years of world fusion music: Planet Passion by Ancient Future (remastered to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the band), Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort, and Sangria by Mariah Parker.
Southern California Tour Itinerary: Public Concerts
- Wednesday, July 28, 8 pm, The Waterfront Theater, 4211 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292. Tix: $10 adv, $12 door. Doors open: 7:30. Press Release. Poster.pdf.
- Saturday, July 31, 8 pm, The Fret House, 309 N. Citrus Ave., Covina, CA 91723. Tix: $13 advance, $15 door. Press Release. Poster.pdf.
- Sunday, August 1, 7:30 pm, Friends of Swanirvar Los Angeles Benefit, Folly Bowl, 1601 E. Loma Alta Drive, Altadena, CA 91001. Tix: $20 suggested donation.
- Monday, August 2, 7:30 pm, Yoga Soup, 28 Parker Way, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Tix: $12 advance, $15 door. Info: www.yogasoup.com. Press Release. Poster.pdf.
Planet Passion by Ancient Future
Planet Passion by Ancient Future (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2010) $17.98 list (summer sale: $14): Buy Link . (>YTmusic.)
Planet Passion by Ancient Future has been re-issued with 64-Bit Tuned Harmonic Mastering to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the band. The seventh Ancient Future recording features nineteen top masters of of Indian, Nepali, African, Cuban, Celtic, Arabic, Palestinian, Jewish, Indonesian, Chinese, Eastern European and American music traditions performing music on the theme of mythical stories of love.
“If the members of the United Nations formed a world-fusion band, it might look and sound a little something like Ancient Future’s re-issue of their seventh recording. Featuring instrumentation from Africa, Asia, South America and the Middle East, Planet Passion is a mythical story of love, flirtation, seduction, courtship, marriage and longing. Manose Singh’s bansuri flute and Matthew Montfort’s scalloped fretboard work stand out in this eclectic, visionary global village, where each track features its own unique set of players. At its best, Planet Passion strives to preserve the world’s vast musical heritage via international collaboration: the idea that one protects the old by creating something new.” — Ryan Allen, LEO WEEKLY, Louisville, Kentucky
Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar, Godin Glissentar)
Matthew Montfort Photo by Julie Marten
5 Page Guitar Player Magazine Feature and Lesson:
http://www.ancient-future.com/pdf/MatthewMontfortGuitarPlayerMag.pdf
The leader of the world music group Ancient Future, Matthew Montfort, released his first solo recording, Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar, in 2009. He 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. The December 2009 Les Paul issue of Guitar Player Magazine includes a full page feature on Matthew Montfort with a corresponding GuitarPlayer.Com video and lesson entitled “The Music of Jimi Hendrix Applied to Indian Raga.” 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.
Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort
Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort. (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2008). $17.98 (summer sale: $14): Buy Link . (>YTmusic)
Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar is the debut solo recording by Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort. The recording showcases his pioneering work on the scalloped fretboard guitar, a special modified instrument able to produce ornaments more characteristic of the sitar. This first solo effort features his improvisational music.
“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
“The mind-bending playing abilities of guitar virtuoso, Matthew Montfort, stems from the note-bending capabilities of the scalloped fretboard guitar. This produces a different sound than the more familiar guitar, because the fretboard is carved out, so the fingers only touch the strings. Musically, the songs verge on a flamenco-Indian-jazz continuum. This is partly due to Matthew's playing technique and the sitar-like sounds of his guitar.” — Matthew Forss, INSIDE WORLD MUSIC
Mariah Parker (santur)
Mariah Parker with Santur Photo by Ross Pelton
Mariah Parker is a composer and multi-instrumentalist whose main instruments are santur and piano. While completing her degree in music at UC Santa Cruz, she worked with ethnomusicologist Fred Lieberman and Mickey Hart on the Planet Drum project. She has performed in the US and Europe, and worked with many musicians of note 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.
Sangria by Mariah Parker
Sangria by Mariah Parker (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2017). $17.98 (summer sale: $14): Buy Link . (>YTmusic).
Sangria by Mariah Parker blends the driving rhythmic syncopations of Latin jazz with the entrancing, asymmetrical meters of East India. This debut recording features her original compositions that draw musical inspiration from Brazil, Cuba, Spain, and India.
“This collection of eight original instrumentals by Mariah Parker is just one of many examples of the infusion of East Indian music into Western music, but to my ears one of the most successful.” — AUDIOPHILE AUDITION
Social Networking Contest
Simply make a post about Ancient Future's concert tour on any social network or blog. Then email the URL of your post to info@ancient-future.com. The best social networking or blog post about Ancient Future's Southern California tour we receive by July 24 wins a choice of a free pair of concert tickets or a CD copy of Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort.
June 2010 Issue
Ancient Future Times: New Track in Archive, California Concerts North to South
Success Breeds New Challenge A.F.A.R.
•You met our challenge, and we've added a sixth track to the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings! The next A.F.A.R. challenge is for ten new subscribers to add a seventh track to the archive.
Ancient Future Northern and Southern California Concerts
•Himalayan Fair May 29, Berkeley World Music Festival June 5, SF Free Folk Fest June 13, Downtown Davis June 25, Petaluma Regional Library June 26, plus three Southern California summer tour dates announced.
San Francisco Guitar Summit. Don't Miss This!
•Featuring Matthew Montfort, Teja Gerken, and the San Francisco Guitar Quartet at Noe Valley Ministry June 5.
Live Radio
•Interview and live performance on KALW June 5.
Success Breeds New Challenge A.F.A.R.
Join in the Creation of the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings
Your Financial Support of as Little as $10 Makes a Difference!
The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings concept is to involve you, fans of world fusion music, in supporting the creation of a collection of new live and studio recordings that are available to subscribers as they are created. When the archive is complete, the best of the collection will be selected for release as the eighth Ancient Future release.
To date, we've raised $1110 towards our goal of $25,000 for the project. When we reach $2500, we will have the funds to record the first brand new studio track for the archive.
In the meantime, we are mixing and mastering multitrack recordings of live concerts for the archive. You met our last subscriber goal, which enabled us to add a sixth track to the archive!
Now only ten more subscribers are needed to support mixing and mastering the high resolution audio of the next track for the archive. Your support at $10 or more can be what puts "Dawn of Love" by Matthew Montfort in the archive! A video of this piece has been watched over 122,000 times on youtube.
Video of Next Song for the Archive
Ancient Future performing Guitar-Sitar Jugalbandi version of 'Dawn of Love'
(Subscribe to A.F.A.R. to put this song in the archive!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDJet-KlQLU
Please sign up for A.F.A.R. now and join us on this creative cross-cultural journey. There are four supporter packages available:
Recording Newsletter Package: $10. Subscribe 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 of 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. This is quite a bargain with six songs already in the archive and more to come!
Download Supporter Package: $25. Subscribe 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 that will not otherwise be available in shops (selections from which will form a final public edition), and the chance to submit feedback to questions posed in the recording newsletter. Limited to 300 packages.
Limited Edition CD Sponsor Package: $50. Subscribe Now. Supporters at this level receive everything included in the Download Supporter Package plus an exclusive limited edition CD-R of the same recording with printed liner notes signed by Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort. Limited to 200 packages.
Honorary A & R Representative Package: $75. Subscribe Now. Supporters at this level receive everything included in the Limited Edition CD Sponsor Package plus a DVD-R including video and 24 bit audio files for hi-res playback on computers. Limited to 100 packages.
Ancient Future in Concert
Northern California Concerts
- Saturday, May 29, 3 pm, Ancient Future Trio, Himalayan Fair, Live Oak Park, 1300 Shattuck Ave., North Berkeley, CA 94709.
- Saturday, June 5, 12 noon, Ancient Future Duet featuring Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar) and Ferhan Qureshi (tabla), Berkeley World Music Festival, Cafe Mediterraneum, 2475 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley, CA 94704. Free admission.
- Sunday, June 13, 9:30 pm, Ancient Future Duet featuring Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar, Godin Glissentar) and Mariah Parker (hammered dulcimer), 34th Annual San Francisco Free Folk Festival, Faith Petric Stage, Presidio Middle School, 450 30th Ave, San Francisco CA 94121. Free.
- Friday, June 25, 7 to 9 pm, Ancient Future Duet featuring Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar, Godin Glissentar) and Mariah Parker (hammered dulcimer), Friday Night Concert Series at E Street Plaza, Downtown Davis, CA 95617. Free.
- Saturday, June 26, 2 pm, Ancient Future Duet featuring Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar) and Ferhan Qureshi (tabla), Petaluma Regional Library, 100 Fairgrounds Dr., Petaluma, CA 94952.
Southern California Concerts
- Thursday, July 29, 8 pm, Ancient Future Trio featuring Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar, Godin Glissentar), Mariah Parker (hammered dulcimer), and Debasish Chaudhuri, California State Summer School for the Arts, Cal Arts Campus, 24700 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355.
- Saturday, July 31, 8 pm, Ancient Future Duet featuring Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar, Godin Glissentar) and Mariah Parker (hammered dulcimer), The Fret House, 309 N. Citrus Ave., Covina, CA 91723. Tix: $15. $2 off if purchased a week or more in advance in person at the Fret House. Children under 12 years old half-price, under 3 years old free. $2 per order credit card service charge for tickets purchased online (www.frethouse.com) or by phone (626-339-7020). Press Release. Poster.pdf.
- Sunday, August 1, time TBA, Ancient Future Duet featuring Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar, Godin Glissentar) and Mariah Parker (hammered dulcimer), Friends of Swanirvar Los Angeles Benefit, Folly Bowl, 1601 E. Loma Alta Drive, Altadena, CA 91001.
Ancient Future Trio
Matthew Montfort - scalloped fretboard and fretless guitars
Mariah Parker - santur (hammered dulcimer)
Salah Takesh- Arabic percussion
Ancient Future Duet Video
Ancient Future performing duet version of 'Moonbath' at 30th Anniversary Concert
(Subscribe to A.F.A.R. to download this song now!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGIliJuyfvs
Planet Passion by Ancient Future
Planet Passion by Ancient Future (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2010) $17.98 list (limited time sale: $14): Buy 1 Now. (>YTmusic.)
“If the members of the United Nations formed a world-fusion band, it might look and sound a little something like Ancient Future’s re-issue of their seventh recording. Featuring instrumentation from Africa, Asia, South America and the Middle East, Planet Passion is a mythical story of love, flirtation, seduction, courtship, marriage and longing. Manose Singh’s bansuri flute and Matthew Montfort’s scalloped fretboard work stand out in this eclectic, visionary global village, where each track features its own unique set of players. At its best, Planet Passion strives to preserve the world’s vast musical heritage via international collaboration: the idea that one protects the old by creating something new.” — Ryan Allen, LEO WEEKLY, Louisville, Kentucky
San Francisco Guitar Summit
Featuring Matthew Montfort, Teja Gerken, and the S. F. Guitar Quartet
Saturday, June 5, 2010, 8:15 pm
The Noe Valley Ministry
1021 Sanchez St.
San Francisco, CA 94114
Tickets: $16 advance/$18 door
Press Release
In what is certain to be a concert highlight of the year for Bay Area guitar lovers, the Noe Valley Ministry is presenting a one-of-a-kind evening featuring three internationally acclaimed acts with deep roots in the local music scene. The San Francisco Guitar Summit seeks to present the varied range of music possible on the instrument – from acoustic fingerstyle through modern classical, to pioneering world fusion – in one of San Francisco's most intimate listening rooms. The summit features Matthew Montfort performing on scalloped fretboard and fretless guitars, fingerstyle guitarist Teja Gerken, and classical and modern music by the San Francisco Guitar Quartet.
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 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.
Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar
Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort. $17.98 list (limited time sale: $14): Buy 1 Now. (>YTmusic)
Video
Matthew Montfort Performing 'Soul Serenade' at Ancient Future's 30th Anniversary Concert
(Subscribe to A.F.A.R. to download this song now!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLfKTbpgO1Q
Press
“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
Teja Gerken is no stranger to those familiar with the Bay Area acoustic guitar scene. Born in Germany, but calling San Francisco home, he is a seasoned performer, and has shared the stage with players such as Alex de Grassi, Henry Kaiser, and John Renbourn , as well as with his mentor, Peppino D'Agostino. Gerken's playing blends myriad influences into a musical style that hovers around the perimeters of folk, contemporary classical, and world music , often involving alternate tunings, right-hand tapping, and percussive effects. Gerken's latest CD Postcards is featured on KFOG's Acoustic Sunrise list of “Best New CD's of 2005.”
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
San Francisco Guitar Quartet
The San Francisco Guitar Quartet consists of David Dueñas, Jon Mendle, Patrick O'Connell, and Mark Simons – four Bay Area guitarists presenting an expansive and vibrant repertoire of newly composed works and time-tested classics. Exploring the many and varied possibilities of four guitars playing together, an SFGQ program is a veritable guitar lover's Wonderland, offering at once an abundant, engaging, and delightfully eclectic listening experience. From the infectious rhythms of Brazil to the whirling dances of the Balkans, from the passion of the tango to the hypnotic textures of minimalism, the SFGQ manifests a modern yet all-embracing approach to chamber music for classical guitar--with deference to the fact that theirs is an instrument ultimately defined by deep roots in both the folk and classical traditions. Through their national and international touring, ground-breaking recordings, and featured performances at major guitar festivals, the SFGQ has established itself as an enduring presence in the classical guitar world.
Press
“Without a doubt the SFGQ's performance was an outstanding highlight of our festival.” – Reed Gilchrist, Director- LA GUITARRA CALIFORNIA FESTIVAL
“The SFGQ play with a fresh enthusiasm and life force which one rarely experiences in even the most seasoned performers. Their performance of Dusan Bogdanovic's 'Introduction and Dance' is like a gypsy caravan springing to life.” – Scott Tennant
Live Radio
- Saturday, June 5, 4 pm, Matthew Montfort performs live and is interviewed by JoAnn Mar on Folk Music and Beyond, KALW 91.7 FM, 500 Mansell St., San Francisco, CA 94134.
April 2010 Issue
Ancient Future Times: Spring Shows, MP3s for Free, and News from AFAR
Ancient-Future.Com Records Presents Mariah Parker's Indo Latin Jazz Quintet in Concert
•Kuumbwa Jazz in Santa Cruz 4/15/10 and Yoshi's Oakland 4/19/10
Matthew Montfort on Scalloped Fretboard and Glissentar
•In Concert at Steynberg Gallery, San Luis Obispo, and Body Balance, Grass Valley
Live Radio and Podcasts
•Schedule of Streams and Live Broadcasts
Free MP3's for the California Democracy Act
•Ancient Future Supports Signature Effort with Free MP3s Through April 5
Mariah Parker’s Indo Latin Jazz Quintet in Concert
Exclusive Santa Cruz debut of Mariah Parker's Indo Latin Jazz Quintet
Celebrating Mariah Parker's debut release on Ancient-Future.Com Records, Sangria
Thursday, April 15, 7 pm
Cookin’ at Kuumbwa
Kuumbwa Jazz Center
320-2 Cedar Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Tix: $12 adv, $15 door; Jazz & Dinner: $24.60 adv.
Doors open and dinner begins at 6 pm
For more info, visit www.kuumbwajazz.org
Poster.pdf (756 k)
Back By Popular Demand at Yoshi's Jazz Club, Jack London Square
Monday, April 19, 8 pm
Yoshi’s Jazz Club
510 Embarcadero West
Oakland, CA 94607
Tix: $18
For more info, call 510-238-9200 or visit www.yoshis.com
Poster.pdf (756 k)
Press Release
Mariah Parker's Indo Latin Jazz Quintet
Mariah Parker (composer, piano, santur) performs with a stellar lineup of musicians including including Grammy award winning woodwind virtuoso Paul McCandless (known through his work with the seminal chamber jazz groups Paul Winter Consort and Oregon), trailblazing guitarist Matthew Montfort (Ancient Future), bassist and cellist Kash Killion (Sun Ra Arkestra, Cecil Taylor); and Indian tabla/jazz drum set pioneer Sameer Gupta (Marc Cary, VidyA, Chitresh Das, Anindo Chatterjee).
“Mariah Parker's Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble packed Yoshi's in Jack London Square, and the incredible live performance had the audience roaring and screaming for more of the Indo-Latin jazz rhythms filling the celebrated jazz club during the CD release event for Mariah Parker's debut recording, 'Sangria.'” - Lynda Carson, BERKELEY DAILY PLANET
Video
Mariah Parker's Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble Performing 'Affinity Minus One' at Yoshi's
(Subscribe to A.F.A.R. now to put this song in the high resolution download archive!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WARbr891OGQ
Sangria by Mariah Parker
Sangria by Mariah Parker (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2017). $17.98: Buy 1 Now. (>YTmusic).
“Parker and friends blend the rhythmic syncopations of Latin jazz music with the entrancing, asymmetrical meters of East Indian rhythms resulting in first-class world music.” — LATIN BEAT MAGAZINE
Matthew Montfort on Scalloped Fretboard and Glissentar
In Concert at Steynberg Gallery, San Luis Obispo, & Body Balance, Grass Valley
Spread Your Wings & Fly with Us: A Musical Journey Featuring
Montana Skies, Matthew Monfort, and AZA
Friday, April 23, 8 pm
Steynberg Gallery
1531 Monterey Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Tickets: $12 advance, $15 door
Information & Reservations: 805-547 0278
Poster.pdf (452 k)
Pres Release
Spread Your Wings & Fly with Us is a musical journey featuring the cello guitar fusion of Montana Skies, world music for guitar by Matthew Montfort, and North African music by AZA. Montana Skies will perform new acoustic music for cello, six-string electric cello, Spanish/classical guitar, and steel string guitar. AZA founders Fattah Abbou and Mohamed Aoualouare from Morocco showcase their unique highly percussive music blending the traditions of North Africa with a hint of the West. Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort will perform solo on scalloped fretboard guitar and glissentar (11 string fretless guitar) and sit in with the other musicians. A selection of international wine and cheeses will be available.
Spanish Serenades, Meditative Maqams, and Reflective Ragas
Featuring Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar, glissentar) with Joe Fajen (tabla, percussion) and Anya Devi (Kathak and Flamenco dance)
Friday, April 30, 8 pm
Body Balance Studio
151 Mill St.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
Tix: $15 at the door. Children under 10 free.
Poster.pdf (336 k)
Press Release
Experience uplifting music from Matthew Montfort's new CD, Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar, which earned rave reviews and a feature in Guitar Player Magazine. He will perform Spanish serenades, meditative Middle Eastern maqams, and reflective ragas on scalloped fretboard and fretless guitars accompanied by Joe Fajen on percussion with Kathak and Flamenco dance by Anya Devi.
Matthew Montfort
As leader of the world music group Ancient Future, Matthew Montfort has devoted himself to the scalloped fretboard guitar since 1978. 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 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.
Video
Matthew Montfort Performing 'Soul Serenade' at Ancient Future's 30th Anniversary Concert
(Subscribe to A.F.A.R. to download this song now!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLfKTbpgO1Q
Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort
"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
Live Radio and Podcasts
- Sunday, March 28, 12 pm, Wimmin’s Music with Laura Testa interviews Mariah Parker, KKUP, 91.5 FM, Santa Clara, CA 95050. Live on the air. No webcast.
- Thursday, April 1, 7 pm, WorldStreams with Dari interviews Matthew Montfort and Mariah Parker, WorldStreams.org. Streams live online. Archived one week later.
- Sunday, April 4, 11 am, Ancient Future duet with Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar, glissentar) and Mariah Parker (santur), Please Stand By on KPIG (1510 AM), streaming live online at www.kpig.com, Watsonville, CA 95076.
- Sunday, April 4, 8 pm, One World in One Hour with Lars Bourne interviews Mariah Parker, KKUP, 91.5 FM, Santa Clara, CA 95050. Live on the air. No webcast.
- Sunday, April 4, 10 pm, Dean Suzuki interviews Mariah Parker on KPFA 94.1 FM, streaming live online at www.kpfa.org, 1929 Martin Luther King Way, Berkeley, CA 94704.
- Friday, April 9, 1 pm, Avotcja interviews Mariah Parker on La Verdad Musical, KPOO-FM 89.5, streaming live online at www.kpoo.com, San Francisco, CA 94115.
- Saturday, April 10, TBA between 10 am & noon, Hala Fauzi interviews Mariah Parker, KKUP, 91.5 FM, Santa Clara, CA 95050. Live on the air. No webcast.
Free MP3's for the California Democracy Act
Ancient Future Supports Signature Effort with Free MP3s Through April 5
Ancient Future is among California musicians helping raise awareness about the campaign to put the California Democracy Act on the ballot. From now until the signature gathering deadline of April 5th, tracks by Ancient Future, Mariah Parker, Matthew Montfort, Paraguayan harpist Carlos Reyes and his Electric Symphony, an historic collaboration between sarod master Ali Akbar Khan and Bollywood superstar Ashe Bhosle, didjeridu master Stephen Kent with his groups Baraka Moon and Australian Bebop Ragas, and many others are available as free downloads through a website supporting the California Democracy Act. We donated our music because we think that once you learn how the two-thirds budget rule has been destroying infrastructure, education, and the arts in California, you'll want to help support this straightforward measure consisting of fourteen words “All legislative actions on revenue and budget must be determined by a majority vote.”
Ancient Future has first hand experience with the effects of the two-thirds budget rule. For years, Ancient Future was on the roster of the California Arts Council Touring Program, which partially subsidized some of our concert tours in California. The funds for the program were allocated yearly by legislators, with yearly budget cuts typical even in times of economic expansion. The program was finally eliminated altogether in the first Schwarzenegger administration budget, which drastically cut state arts funding, giving California the dubious title of lowest per capita arts funding of any state in the union. Now with the current state fiscal crisis, concert and workshop programs at universities and parks have been eliminated as well. The California Democracy Act is important because it could make it easier to pass future state budgets that support needed programs.
In these times without state support for the arts, Ancient Future's world fusion music movement very much needs your help. If you have the means, please support Ancient Future directly by buying CDs and music books from our catalog, supporting new recordings through the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings subscription series, attending music classes and concerts, and making donations to cover touring expenses not covered by ticket sales. If you live in California, please download and sign the petition and encourage others to do so. Petition forms for the California Democracy Act will also be available at the March 27th Ancient Future concert in at the Village Homes Community Center in Davis.
March 2010 Issue
Ancient Future Times: Trio Concert in Davis
In this issue, we highlight ways to support Ancient Future's mission of cross-cultural collaborations. In the current arts environment, the future of the world fusion music movement depends on your direct involvement. Please support something on the list below!
Ancient Future Trio In Concert in Davis 3/27/10
•TimnaTal Music Presents at Village Homes Community Center. Please Help Spread the Word.
Ancient Future Trio In Concert in Davis 3/27/10
TimnaTal Music Presents at Village Homes Community Center
Saturday, March 27, 7 pm
TimnaTal Music Presents Ancient Future
Village Homes Community Center
2661 Portage Bay East
Davis, CA 95616
Tix: $12 in advance, $15 at the door
Email: info@timnatalmusic.com
Venue Website: www.timnatalmusic.com
Press Release
This is the first Ancient Future concert in Davis since a performance at the Whole Earth Festival on May 12, 2002. This program is supported entirely by ticket sales, so need a full house for this concert to be viable. If you know anyone in the Sacramento/Davis area who may be interested, please let them know about this special concert by forwarding this newsletter.
Ancient Future Trio
Matthew Montfort - scalloped fretboard and fretless guitars
Mariah Parker - santur (hammered dulcimer)
Joe Fajen - tabla, percussion
This concert features a trio version of the pioneering world fusion music group Ancient Future featuring scalloped fretboard guitarist Matthew Montfort, santurist Mariah Parker, and Joe Fajen on tabla and percussion. The Ancient Future Trio concentrates on Arabic, Indian, and Spanish musical themes, and has performed in Spain at festivals in Sant Carles de la Ràpita, Botarell, Torredembarra, and Salou. They will perform music from Ancient Future's broad repertoire including three current releases on Ancient-Future.Com Records celebrating 30 years of world fusion music: Planet Passion by Ancient Future (remastered to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the band), Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort, and Sangria by Mariah Parker.
Youtube Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuaq_-hl0HE
Planet Passion by Ancient Future
Planet Passion by Ancient Future (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2010) $17.98: Buy 1 Now. (>YTmusic.)
Planet Passion by Ancient Future has been re-issued with 64-Bit Tuned Harmonic Mastering to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the band. The seventh Ancient Future recording features nineteen top masters of of Indian, Nepali, African, Cuban, Celtic, Arabic, Palestinian, Jewish, Indonesian, Chinese, Eastern European and American music traditions performing music on the theme of mythical stories of love.
“If the members of the United Nations formed a world-fusion band, it might look and sound a little something like Ancient Future’s re-issue of their seventh recording. Featuring instrumentation from Africa, Asia, South America and the Middle East, Planet Passion is a mythical story of love, flirtation, seduction, courtship, marriage and longing. Manose Singh’s bansuri flute and Matthew Montfort’s scalloped fretboard work stand out in this eclectic, visionary global village, where each track features its own unique set of players. At its best, Planet Passion strives to preserve the world’s vast musical heritage via international collaboration: the idea that one protects the old by creating something new. This is at the heart of fusion music and the heart of Ancient Future’s global aesthetics, too: a diverse, unified world without borders, a multicultural community, a new, reconstituted sonic reality.” — Ryan Allen, LEO WEEKLY, Louisville, Kentucky
February 2010 Issue
Ancient Future Times: Fusion Fest, Concerts & Classes, 7 AFAR to Affinity - 1
World Fusion Mini-Fest at Don Quixote's International Music Hall
•Featuring Matthew Montfort with Mariah Parker, Four Shillings Short, and Walter Strauss with Mamadou Sidibe
San Francisco World Music Classes Start 3/3/10
•Improve Your Rhythmic and Melodic Skills
Ancient Future Duet Performs Dinner Concert in Oakland
•Vegan Cuisine by In the Mood for Food
Seven Subscribers A.F.A.R. from Affinity Minus One!
•A.F.A.R. is Where YOU Join in the Creation of a New Cross-Cultural Recording
World Fusion Mini-Fest at Don Quixote's Intl. Music Hall
Featuring Matthew Montfort with Mariah Parker, Four Shillings Short, and Walter Strauss with Mamadou Sidibe
Sunday, February 28, 2 pm - 6 pm
Don Quixote's International Music Hall
6275 Highway 9
Felton, CA 95018
Tix: $10 adults. 16 and under free.
Poster.pdf
Press Release
Don Quixote's International Music Hall presents a celebration of world fusion music with three stellar acts. Matthew Montfort, who coined the term “world fusion music” as leader of the pioneering world music group Ancient Future, brings the Eastern and Western worlds together with his masterful playing on scalloped fretboard guitar and Glissentar, accompanied by Mariah Parker on santur. Four Shillings Short bring together Celtic, East Indian and world folk music on over 30 instruments from around the world. Guitarist/songwriter Walter Strauss brings American folk, West African music, world beat and jazz to create a cohesive quilt of world music styles. Master hunter's harpist, Mamadou Sidibe, played a groundbreaking role in transforming the music of the Wassoulou region of Mali from its origins in hunters' sacred melodies to a music of philosophical observations, politics and daily life.
Matthew Montfort with Mariah Parker
The leader of the world music group Ancient Future, Matthew Montfort, is a pioneer among guitarists who have had their fretboards scalloped in order to play various forms of world music. Montfort spent three months in 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 performed concerts worldwide, including at the Festival Internacional de la Guitarra on the golden coast of Spain near Barcelona. The December 2009 Les Paul issue of Guitar Player Magazine includes a full page feature on him with a corresponding GuitarPlayer.Com video and lesson entitled “The Music of Jimi Hendrix Applied to Indian Raga.” He is joined by Mariah Parker on santur, whose debut CD, Sangria, received rave reviews and airplay on more than 385 jazz and world music radio programs. Mariah Parker's Indo Latin Jazz Quintet will perform at Kuumbwa Jazz in Santa Cruz on April 15, and Yoshi's in Oakland on April 19.
“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
“The mind-bending playing abilities of guitar virtuoso, Matthew Montfort, stems from the note-bending capabilities of the scalloped fretboard guitar. This produces a different sound than the more familiar guitar, because the fretboard is carved out, so the fingers only touch the strings. Musically, the songs verge on a flamenco-Indian-jazz continuum. This is partly due to Matthew's playing technique and the sitar-like sounds of his guitar.” – Matthew Forss, INSIDE WORLD MUSIC
Four Shillings Short
The Celtic/folk/world music duo, Four Shillings Short, perform on a fantastic array of instruments from around the world. This list of instruments includes North Indian sitar, hammered dulcimer, mandolins, banjo, whistles, recorders, medieval and renaissance woodwinds, charango, bowed psaltery, guitar, and even a krumhorn. The husband/wife duo of Aodh Og O’Tuama from Cork, Ireland and Christy Martin from California, tour in the US and Ireland, live as full time minstrels.
“They are not the Clancy Brothers or Jean Richie or Ravi Shankar but a combination of all three, laced with Irish humor.” – San Gregorio General Store, CA
“Four Shillings Short are astounding. They both have wonderful singing voices and play an incredible variety of music from Indian Ragas to Celtic, Traditional folk and about anything else you can think of. They are very charismatic with great stage presence.” – Columbus Folk Music Society, Columbus OH
Walter Strauss with Mamadou Sidibe
When American guitarist Walter Strauss and Malian kamal'ngoni master Mamadou Sidibe engage in a musical interplay of finger-style guitar and West African hunter's harp, the result is a deep, soulful music that is simultaneously ancient and fresh. These two unique musicians from distant origins create an intoxicating blend of music in which they gracefully complement each other through intertwining melodic grooves, spirited improvisation, and songs in two languages. Walter Strauss is a “wizard of the fingerstyle guitar” (folk and roots) whose multi-layered style gives the impression several instruments are playing at once. He's performed widely with musicians ranging from Grammy nominated West African kora master Mamadou Diabate to eclectic songsters The Burns Sisters and fiddle legend Vassar Clements. Master kamal’ngoni player, Mamadou Sidibe is from the Wassoulou region of Mali, West Africa. Twenty-five years ago, Mamadou played a groundbreaking role in transforming the music of this region from its origins in hunters' sacred melodies – played on six string donso ngoni (hunter's harps) – to a music of philosophical observations, politics and daily life. Mamadou has toured with Malian greats Oumou Sangare, Coumba Sidibe, and Toumani Diabate in Africa, Europe and the US.
San Francisco World Music Classes Start 3/3/10
Improve Your Rhythmic and Melodic Skills
- March 3, 2010, Survey of World Rhythms Class with Matthew Montfort, eight Wednesdays from 7:00 pm to 8:15 pm starting 3/3/2010, Zambaleta World Music and Dance School, 2929 19th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110. All Zambaleta classes are free the week of March 1. Preregister by 2/15 for 25% off the cost of the full course. Cost: $112 ($101.25 for members).
- March 3, 2010, Melodic Improvisation Through the Music of North India with Matthew Montfort, eight Wednesdays from 8:30 pm to 9:45 pm starting 3/3/2010, Zambaleta World Music and Dance School, 2929 19th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110. All Zambaleta classes are free the week of March 1. Preregister by 2/15 for 25% off the cost of the full course. Cost: $112 ($101.25 for members).
Matthew Montfort
Matthew Montfort holds a B.A. in World Music and Composition and an M.A. in Arts and Media Technology from Antioch University. He is the author of Ancient Traditions -- Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali and India. Material from the book has been used by many teachers and musicians around the world, including Reinhard Flatischler, founder of the TaKeTiNa rhythm training process, and Steve Smith, famed jazz and rock drummer. He teaches private lessons at the Blue Bear School of Music in San Rafael and at his studio in San Rafael. He has a few openings for new students starting in March 2010.
Ancient Future Duet Performs Dinner Concert in Oakland
Vegan Cuisine by In the Mood for Food
Saturday, March 6, 2010, 7 pm
In the Mood for Food Dinner Concert Series
Private Location
Oakland, CA 94607
Tix: $55/person.
Ancient Future Duet
Matthew Montfort - scalloped fretboard and fretless guitars
Mariah Parker - santur (hammered dulcimer)
This intimate dinner concert features a delicate duet version of the pioneering world fusion music group Ancient Future featuring scalloped fretboard guitarist Matthew Montfort and santurist Mariah Parker. The Ancient Future duet concentrates on Arabic, Indian, and Spanish musical themes. They will perform music from Ancient Future's broad repertoire including three current releases on Ancient-Future.Com Records celebrating 30 years of world fusion music: 'Planet Passion' by Ancient Future (remastered to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the band), Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort, and Sangria by Mariah Parker.
In the Mood for Food Dinner Menu
Much as a musician's craft is constantly evolving, the five course menus for the In the Mood for Food dinner concert series are typically a creative work in progress until the final shopping trip the day of the show. The envisioned menu for the Ancient Future duet concert features wild mushroom black lentil soup (heirloom lentils and winter vegetables in a wild mushroom stock); an arugula, radichio, grilled portabello mushroom salad with tangerine dressing; a small surprise plate TBA; an entree of gingered sweet potato puree, spicy orange roasted homemade tempeh, and sauteed garlic kale and purple cabbage; and for desert a banana split world fusion style with homemade chocolate/cardamom and coconut/lemongrass vegan ice “cream.”
Seven Subscribers A.F.A.R. from Affinity Minus One!
A.F.A.R. is Where YOU Join in the Creation of a New Cross-Cultural Recording
The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings concept is to involve you, fans of world fusion music, in supporting the creation of a collection of new live and studio recordings that will be available to subscribers (YOU) as they are created. When the archive is complete, the best of the collection will be selected for release as the eighth Ancient Future release.
Seven Subscribers A.F.A.R. from Affinity Minus One
Mariah Parker's Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble Performing 'Affinity Minus One' at Yoshi's:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WARbr891OGQ
The first part of the A.F.A.R. process involves selecting musical directions for the final recording, as the first supporters get to provide feedback on recording themes. The initial songs in the archive will represent some of the possible directions. One of those directions could be world jazz. Mariah Parker debuted a new Indo Latin jazz piece, "Affinity Minus One," at her Yoshi's concert last August, which was recorded on video and high resolution audio.
Last month, we offered to mix and master "Affinity Minus One" and add it to the archive as an example of a possible world jazz direction as soon as 10 more people become supporters. Thanks go out to David Jordan, Rabia Siddique, and Anasuya Knutson who helped support us posting the above video of the piece on youtube. Now only seven more supporters are needed to post the high resolution audio in the archive. Your support can be what puts this song in the archive! Please sign up for A.F.A.R. now and join us on this creative cross-cultural journey!
There are four supporter packages available:
Recording Newsletter Package: $10. Subscribe 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 of 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.
Download Supporter Package: $25. Subscribe 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 that will not otherwise be available in shops (selections from which will form a final public edition), and the chance to submit feedback to questions posed in the recording newsletter. Limited to 300 packages.
Limited Edition CD Sponsor Package: $50. Subscribe Now. Supporters at this level receive everything included in the Download Supporter Package plus an exclusive limited edition CD-R of the same recording with printed liner notes signed by Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort. Limited to 200 packages.
Honorary A & R Representative Package: $75. Subscribe Now. Supporters at this level receive everything included in the Limited Edition CD Sponsor Package plus a DVD-R including video and 24 bit audio files for hi-res playback on computers. Limited to 100 packages.
You can also help by spreading word of A.F.A.R. afar, so please share this with your friends near and afar!
January 2010 Issue
Ancient Future Times: Moonbath A.F.A.R, Borders Download, Gigs & Classes
Challenge from A.F.A.R. Fulfilled!
•Bathe in a Moonbath from A.F.A.R.
San Francisco Soiree for Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort
•Sunday Serenades at Peña Pachamama, January 17, 2010, 7:30 pm
Valentine's Sale Programs
•Ancient Future Download of the Week at Borders.Com, Baker & Taylor Valentine's Gift Guide, Ancient-Future.Com Sale
Start the New Year with a World Music Class
•Improve Your Rhythmic and Melodic Skills
Challenge from A.F.A.R. Fulfilled!
Bathe in a Moonbath from A.F.A.R.
Youtube Video Duet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGIliJuyfvs
A.F.A.R. is Where YOU Join with Ancient Future in the Creation of a New Cross-Cultural Recording
The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings concept is to involve you, fans of world fusion music, in supporting the creation of a collection of new live and studio recordings that will be available to subscribers (YOU) as they are created. When the archive is complete, the best of the collection will be selected for release as the eighth Ancient Future release.
In December, the Ancient Future Times featured a challenge from A.F.A.R.: as soon as five more subscribers joined, we would post a new live version of Moonbath, the first song Ancient Future took into the studio way back in December 1978. Lo and behold, six more people have now joined A.F.A.R.! Thanks go out to Bruce Frauman, Doug Berenson, Jane Heaven, Mara Fiore, Louis Martin Rosenbaum, and Athena Katsaros. for supporting the addition of this song to the archive.
As you can see from the video we posted in celebration on YouTube, this version from the 30th anniversary concert at the Freight and Salvage is a very delicate and moving duet featuring scalloped fretboard guitar and hammered dulcimer. And subscribers can get the full resolution audio!
New World Jazz Track Just 10 Supporters A.F.A.R. from Your iPod!
We've decided to double down with our next challenge. The first part of the A.F.A.R. process involves selecting musical directions for the final recording, as the first supporters get to provide feedback on recording themes. The initial songs in the archive will represent some of the possible directions. One of those directions could be world jazz. Mariah Parker debuted a new Indo Latin jazz piece, "Affinity Minus One," at her Yoshi's concert last August. We've got an amazing live recording of the piece. We'll mix and master that and add it to the archive as an example as soon as 10 more people become supporters.Your support can be what puts this song in the archive! Please sign up for A.F.A.R.now and join us on this creative cross-cultural journey in the new year!
There are four supporter packages available:
Recording Newsletter Package: $10. Subscribe 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 of 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.
Download Supporter Package: $25. Subscribe 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 that will not otherwise be available in shops (selections from which will form a final public edition), and the chance to submit feedback to questions posed in the recording newsletter. Limited to 300 packages.
Limited Edition CD Sponsor Package: $50. Subscribe Now. Supporters at this level receive everything included in the Download Supporter Package plus an exclusive limited edition CD-R of the same recording with printed liner notes signed by Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort. Limited to 200 packages.
Honorary A & R Representative Package: $75. Subscribe Now. Supporters at this level receive everything included in the Limited Edition CD Sponsor Package plus a DVD-R including video and 24 bit audio files for hi-rez playback on computers. Limited to 100 packages.
You can also help by spreading word of A.F.A.R. afar, so please share this with your friends near and afar!
San Francisco Soiree for 'Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar' by Matthew Montfort
Concert Poster (340 k pdf)
Sunday Serenades at Peña Pachamama
January 17, 2010, 7:30 pm
Peña Pachamama
1630 Powell near Union
San Francisco CA 94133
Tix: $12. Info: 415-646-0018
www.penapachamama.com
Press Release
Play YouTube Video
Live version of 'Soul Serenade' from Matthew Montfort's debut recording, Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar.
This soiree for Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar celebrates the debut solo recording by Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort. Montfort will perform on both the scalloped fretboard guitar, a special modified instrument able to produce ornaments more characteristic of the sitar, and on a Godin Glissentar, an 11 string fretless guitar based on the oud. While previously known more for his compositions for the trendsetting world music group Ancient Future, Seven Serenades features his intimate improvisational guitar work. He will be joined by guest artists Salaheddin Takesh (Arabic percussion), Mariah Parker (santur), and Rasa Vitalia (belly dance).
Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort. (>YTmusic).Buy 1 Now.
“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
A.F.A.R. Ticket Contest
To win a pair of tickets for admission to Matthew Montfort's 1/17/2010 show at Peña Pachamama in San Francisco, simply send an email to info@ancient-future.com with your idea for the best way to gather more support for A.F.A.R. Best idea received by 1/15/2010 wins.
Valentine's Sales
Ancient Future titles have been selected for some exciting retail sales programs.
"Ocean of Love" from Planet Passion by Ancient Future will be the Weekly Music Download at Borders.Com from 1/18/2010-1/24/2010! Save this email and make a note to visit Borders.Com during that period to get your download at no charge.
Planet Passion and Matthew Montfort's Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar were selected for Baker & Taylor's Valentine's Gift Guide and will be on sale at select bookstores nationwide from 1/25/10 through 2/21/10. Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar was also selected for the Baker & Taylor Health & Wellness Guide (sale priced through 1/31/10).
In celebration, we are offering a Valentine's CD sale Ancient-Future.Com. All of the proceeds go directly to supporting the music. The sale features regular shipping at no extra charge in the USA on everything in the catalog and very special deals on our new releases!
Valentine's Sale! New Releases $14 Each Through February 14!
Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort. Ancient-Future.Com AF 2008. 6-panel Digipak CD: $17.98. Valentine's Sale $14! Buy 1 Now. (>YTmusic).
Sangria by Mariah Parker. Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-2017. 6-panel Digipak CD: $17.98. Valentine's Sale $14! Buy 1 Now. (>YTmusic).
Planet Passion by Ancient Future. Ancient-Future.Com AF-2010. Digipak CD & Booklet: $17.98. Valentine's Sale $14! Buy 1 Now. (>YTmusic.)
Start the New Year with a World Music Class
Play Video. World Music Workshop Participants Larry Stack and Mara Fiore Talk About Their Experiences at Esalen New Year's Weekend
Improve Your Rhythmic and Melodic Skills
- January 19, 2010, Get Rhythm, ten Tuesdays from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Blue Bear School of Music, Fort Mason Center, Building D, San Francisco, CA 94123. Info: 415.673.3600.
- January 19, 2010, Music Theory for Guitar, ten Tuesdays from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Blue Bear School of Music, Fort Mason Center, Building D, San Francisco, CA 94123. Info: 415.673.3600.
- January 20, 2010, Survey of World Rhythms Class, six Wednesdays from 7:00 pm to 8:15 pm starting 1/20/2010, Zambaleta World Music and Dance School, 2929 19th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110. Cost: $113.
- January 20, 2010, Melodic Improvisation Through the Music of North India, six Wednesdays from 8:30 pm to 9:45 pm starting 1/20/2010, Zambaleta World Music and Dance School, 2929 19th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110. Cost: $113.
Matthew Montfort (MatthewMontfort.Com)
Matthew Montfort holds a B.A. in World Music and Composition and an M.A. in Arts and Media Technology from Antioch University. He is the leader of the world fusion music ensemble Ancient Future. A pioneer of the scalloped fretboard guitar (an instrument combining qualities of the South Indian vina and the steel string guitar), Montfort spent three months in 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 performed concerts worldwide, including at the Festival Internacional de la Guitarra on the golden coast of Spain near Barcelona. Matthew Montfort is the author of Ancient Traditions -- Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali and India. Material from the book has been used by many teachers and musicians around the world, including Reinhard Flatischler, founder of the TaKeTiNa rhythm training process, and Steve Smith, famed jazz and rock drummer. He teaches private lessons at the Blue Bear School of Music in San Rafael and at his studio in San Rafael. He has a few openings for new students starting in January 2010.