The Future Isn't What it Used to Be, But the Ancient Future Is at 40th Anniversary

The Future Isn't What it Used to Be, But the Ancient Future Is at 40th Anniversary

Holiday 2018 Issue:
Ancient Future 40th Anniversary & Bandleader Birthday
•2/12/2019, Freight and Salvage, Berkeley. Get Tix Now To Insure Robust Roster!
Holiday Sale
•Recordings, Music Training Materials, Skype Studies, and Private Lesson Gift Certificates
Your Chance to Contribute to the World Fusion Movement
•Make a Tax Deductible Contribution to Ancient Future Through InterMusic SF!
Help Push A.F.A.R. Past the Finish Line
•Fund Finishing New Studio Tracks Now In Production

---

Ancient Future 40th Anniversary & Bandleader Birthday

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

2/12/2019, Freight & Salvage, Berkeley. Get Tix Now To Insure Robust Roster!

Ancient Future's first concert took place on February 11, 1979, at the original Sleeping Lady Cafe in Fairfax, California, the day before Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort's birthday, who was not yet even drinking age. This concert on his birthday also celebrates 40 years of world fusion music from Ancient Future.
The exact lineup for the show has not yet been announced, but it will include musicians from Ancient Future's long history of cross cultural music collaborations. It will feature top master musicians from around the world along with band members from the original and historic Ancient Future lineups.
Purchase your tickets now to insure that there is a budget for robust roster of musicians, and stay tuned for surprise announcements of featured performers!

Tuesday, February 12, 2019 8 PM
Freight and Salvage
2020 Addison Street
Berkeley, CA 94704
Purchase Tix: $20 advance, $24 door, plus $4 per ticket facility fee.
Box Office Phone: 510-644-2020, open 12:30 PM – 7 PM (excluding holidays) and during all performances.
Email: info@freightandsalvage.org
Facebook Event
Press Release

Poster (Please print and post this 246k .pdf)

Likely Coconspirators

Help us bring musicians who perform in Ancient Future's many programs by purchasing advance tickets or making a tax deductible donation to Ancient Future through InterMusic SF. There are two sets, and if we can raise enough money, we'd like to feature two core rhythm sections along with guest artists from the various periods of the band's history. Here are some of the possible coconspirators that could be featured if the show sells out well in advance: Vishal Nagar (Indian tabla, collaborator since 2013), Shenshen Zhang (Chinese pipa, collaborator since 2011), Mariah Parker (santur, collaborator since 2005), Georges Lammam (Arabic violin, collaborator since 1998), Pandit Habib Khan (sitar, collaborator since 1996), Jim Hurley (violin, collaborator since 1988), Doug McKeehan (keys, collaborator since 1985), Ian Dogole (percussion, collaborator since 1985), Mindia Devi Klein (Indian bansuri, silver flute, original member), Benjy Wertheimer (tabla, esraj, original member). The more money that is raised, the more collaborators that can be featured!

---

Holiday Sale

Recordings, Music Training Materials, Skype Studies, and Private Lesson Gift Certificates

Purchases at the Ancient-Future.Com World Music Store directly support the artists and the music, and our holiday sale offers bargain prices!

Five for Fifty: Five Releases Just $10 Each

• Yearning for the Wind by Ancient Future. Signed Audio/Video E-CD-R. List $17.98. SALE $10. Buy 1 Now.
• Planet Passion by Ancient Future. Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-2010. List $17.98. SALE $10. Buy 1 Now.
• Sangria by Mariah Parker. Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-2017. List $17.98. SALE $10. Buy 1 Now.
• Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort. Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-2008. List $17.98. SALE $10. Buy 1 Now.
• Sympathetic Serenade by Matthew Montfort. Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-2012. Signed EP CD-R. List $12.98. SALE $10. Buy 1 Now.

The Ancient-Future.Com Record Store is the only place where all of the Ancient Future band recordings, including out of print major label recordings, are available on CD. The site also features releases on Ancient-Future.Com Records, the band's artist coalition label, and side projects by Ancient Future band members on other labels.

Educational Materials

Ancient Future Music publishes educational materials for use in music classes, music schools, private lessons, and independent study.

Beats Book Brings Bang for the Buck

Sale Celebrates New Audio Guides and Grooves

Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali and India by Matthew Montfort. Kentfield: Ancient Future Music, 1985. ISBN 0-937879-00-2.

• Comb Bound Book. $46.95 SALE $33.95. Buy 1 Now.
• Book and Enhanced Audio CD Set with MIDI Files. $74.95 SALE $53.95. Buy 1 Now.
• Book & Audio Guide/MIDI Download. New Best Buy! $69.95 SALE $49.95. Buy 1 Now.
• Companion MP3/MIDI Guide Tracks Download Set. New Release! $34.95 SALE 24.95. Buy 1 Now.
• Companion Audio/MIDI Guide Tracks 2 Volume CD/CD-ROM Set. $39.95 SALE $29.95. Buy 1 Now.

This classic "world beat bible" by Matthew Montfort takes the student on a musical voyage through the ancient rhythmic traditions of Africa, Bali, and India with a series of exercises that require no instruments to perform. Interesting, imaginative and fun, these rhythm exercises will be of immense help to all music lovers, not just percussionists.
The new downloadable companion set of MP3 audio guide and MIDI groove tracks of the exercises in the book Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities is set up for playback on Mac and PC computers, tablets, and smartphones. The tracks are also available on a CD/CD-ROM set. The material is presented in two complimentary formats: audio guide tracks and MIDI groove tracks.

Digital Liner Note Discounts

• Yearning for the Wind Digital Liner Notes. 7 page .pdf of liner notes for Yearning for the Wind by Ancient Future. Features detailed explanations of the musical concepts of raga and tala behind the music. $1.98 list. SALE $1.50. Buy 1 Now.
• Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar Digital Liner Notes. 17 page .pdf of liner notes for Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort. Explains the inspirations and musical concepts behind each serenade. Sheet music is included for those who want to delve deeper. $2.98 list. SALE $2. Buy 1 Now.
• Sympathetic Serenade Digital Liner Notes. 9 page .pdf of liner notes for Sympathetic Serenade for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort. Features explanations of musical concepts. $1.98 list. SALE $1.50. Buy 1 Now.
• Planet Passion Digital Liner Notes. 11 page .pdf of liner notes for Planet Passion by Ancient Future. Features comprehensive notes detailing a mythical story of love through the musical traditions of the world. $1.98 list. SALE $1.50. Buy 1 Now.

Skype Studies Sale

Study any of the musical traditions featured on the Ancient Future web site via private Skype lessons with Ancient Future bandleader and guitarist, Matthew Montfort. Recognized as one of the world's 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists, Matthew Montfort teaches all styles of guitar (and other fretted instruments including ukulele, bass, mandolin, charango, and sitar) along with record production, composition, world rhythms, music theory, and repertoire for all instruments.

Skype Lessons

• 60 Minute Lesson. $75. SALE $60. Buy 1 Now. Custom private one hour online lesson.
• 45 Minute Lesson. $65. SALE $48. Buy 1 Now. Custom private 45 minute online lesson.
• 30 Minute Lesson. $50. SALE $36. Buy 1 Now. Custom private 30 minute online lesson.

Gift certificates are available for online lessons worldwide via Skype. The lessons can also be conducted through other webcam chat and conferencing services. And for a limited time, an additional discount is automatically offered on a Skype tutorial with purchase of Matthew Montfort's book Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India at Ancient-Future.Com!

In Person Private Music Lesson Series

Matthew Montfort is accepting a limited number of students at his studio in San Rafael, California, and will travel to student's homes in the San Francisco Bay Area. A lesson series makes an excellent gift for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students. Gift certificates for private lessons in Marin are available.

• 60 Minute Private Lessons. 4 pack. $300. SALE $252. Buy 1 Now. A set of four one hour private lessons in San Rafael.
• 45 Minute Private Lessons. 4 pack. $260. SALE $212. Buy 1 Now. A set of four 45 minute private lessons in San Rafael.
• 30 Minute Private Lessons. 4 pack. $200. SALE $168. Buy 1 Now. A set of four 30 minute private lessons in San Rafael.

To contact Matthew Montfort about lessons, e-mail him at info@ancient-future.com or call 415-459-1892.

---

Your Chance to Contribute to the World Fusion Movement

Make a Tax Deductible Contribution to Ancient Future Through InterMusic SF!

Your tax deductible contribution can help support Ancient Future's local Northern California concert season, provide seed money to bring Ancient Future to perform in your area, or support new compositions and recordings.
In this age of polarization, world fusion music is needed now more than ever. You can help by supporting it financially:

• Make a Tax Deductible Donation. Ancient Future was accepted for fiscal sponsorship with InterMusic SF, a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization, and now donations made through them on behalf of Ancient Future are 100% tax deductible to the full extent of the law!
• Make a Direct Donation (not tax deductible). This works well for those who are not part of the top 10% of U.S. taxpayers expected to benefit by itemizing deductions under the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Help Push A.F.A.R. Past the Finish Line

Fund Finishing New Studio Tracks Now In Production

The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings, Ancient Future's fan funded recording project, has over 86 minutes of music in it so far. Another set of studio tracks totaling 43 minutes are already in production. The new tracks will represent a 50% expansion of the project!
We have so far raised 20% of our funding goal. This is substantial, but we need to greatly speed up our fundraising to complete the project during our 40th year of world fusion music. We need additional supporters and funds now, so please consider becoming a supporter at one of the levels below, starting at just $15. And if you are already a supporter, you can still upgrade to higher quality downloads until each supporter level is sold out.
Once you become a supporter, you will receive all of the tracks in the archive (and all of the tracks that will be added in the future), and you will be eligible to buy a limited edition CD-R of the Best of A.F.A.R. So Far, which is includes all of the best tracks that will (barely) fit on a CD-R.

The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings by Ancient Future. (Ancient-Future.Com AF-2030)

• Recording Newsletter. $15 (receive 128 kbps downloads): Subscribe @ $15.
• Download Supporter. $25 (320 kbps downloads): Subscribe @ $25.
• Limited Edition CD Sponsor. $50 (all previous plus CD quality audio): Subscribe @ $50.
• Honorary A & R Representative. $75 (all previous plus video and 24 bit audio): Subscribe @ $75.
• Donor VIP. Make Additional Donation.
• A.F.A.R. So Far CD-R. $20 Additional. SALE $15. Buy CD-R Now.
  

October 2011: Indo Latin Jazz Oct Six, OctoSkypus and Teach or Treat

October 2011 Issue:
Welcome to the Ancient Future Times
Twitter: Ancient Future Band (Ancient_Future)
Facebook: Ancient Future Fan Page • Matthew Montfort Fan Page

Tweet
Share

To subscribe, use the form below. Follow instructions thereafter, and make sure to ONLY check the geographic area where you actually live. We need this information so that we only send you information about concerts in your area. It doesn't refer to types of world music that you like.

Please enter your email address:

In this issue:

Indo Latin Jazz in Marin County
•Mariah Parker's Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble at 142 Throckmorton Mill Valley , October 6, 8 pm

Successful Student Recital
•Skype Lesson Sale and Free Introductory Private Lesson in San Rafael

A.F.A.R. Passes 10% of Fundraising Goal
•Just $300 Away from Adding 1st Studio Recording to Archive!

Fall CD Sale
•Three Latest Releases on Sale

---

Mariah Parker's Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble in Concert in Marin

Rave Reviews in Marin IJ

Thursday, October 6, 8 pm, Mariah Parker's Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble with Paul McCandless, Matthew Montfort, Fred Randolph, Ian Dogole, and Brian Rice, 142 Throckmorton Theatre, 142 Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941. Tix: $18 adv, $23 door. Doors Open: 7:30. Info: (415) 383-9600, or email boxoffice@142throckmortontheatre.org. Facebook Event. Press Release.

An evening of high-spirited world jazz music with original compositions inspired by the rhythms of Brazil, Cuba, India and Spain Featuring Mariah Parker (composer, pianist, santurist), Paul McCandless (Grammy award-winning woodwind virtuoso with the groups Paul Winter Consort and Oregon), Matthew Montfort (pioneering guitarist with Ancient Future), Ian Dogole (global percussion), Brian Rice (Latin percussion), and Fred Randolph (bass).

"Worldwide Grooves: What happens when the irresistible syncopated rhythms of Latin jazz meet the trance-like asymmetrical meters of Indian music? In the hands of keyboardist Mariah Parker and friends, the result is a global sound as hypnotic as it is danceable. Parker and her Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble, an all-star group including Grammy-winning woodwind player Paul McCandless of the band Oregon and Ancient Future guitar innovator Matthew Montfort, take the stage at 8pm Oct. 6 at 142 Throckmorton Theatre at 142 Throckmorton Ave. in Mill Valley. Tickets are $18 to $23. Call 383-9600 or go to www.142throckmortontheatre.org ." - Best Bets, MARIN INDEPENDENT JOURNAL

"This is the impressive solo CD debut of a pianist-composer known primarily for her performances with the longtime Marin world music group Ancient Future. Parker, who worked with Mickey Hart on his "Planet Drum" project when she was completing her music degree at UC Santa Cruz, describes her style on this eight-track instrumental album as Indo Latin jazz. And just as the Spanish drink sangria is a blend of wine and brandy and other flavors, "Sangria" is a fusion of Indian classical music with Latin sounds and Middle Eastern rhythms." - Paul Liberatore, MARIN INDEPENDENT JOURNAL

---

Successful Student Recital

Skype Lesson Sale and Free Introductory Private Lesson in San Rafael

On September 11, Matthew Montfort held a special backyard student recital. It was a lot of fun with very successful performances, wonderful weather, and homemade pad thai! To celebrate, prices have been temporarily reduced on skype lessons, and a free half hour introductory lesson is available to new students at Matthew Montfort's home studio in San Rafael during the month of October! Just email info@ancient-future.com or call 415-459-1892 and mention this offer.

---

A.F.A.R. Passes 10 Percent of Fundraising Goal

Just $300 Away from Adding 1st Studio Recording to Archive!

Your Financial Support Helps Add Tracks to the Archive!

Recording Newsletter: $15 (receive 128 kbps downloads). Subscribe @ $15. 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. There are already seven expertly mixed and mastered live tracks totaling 50 minutes and 42 seconds in the archive available to subscribers immediately!

On April 1, 2011, basic tracks for two songs were recorded featuring original Ancient Future tabla player Benjy Wertheimer, Mariah Parker on santur, and Matthew Montfort on scalloped fretboard guitar. To date, we've raised $2530 towards our goal of $25,000 for the project, and we are now just three hundred dollars away from adding the first brand new studio track to the archive!

When the archive is complete, the best of the collection will be selected for release as the eighth Ancient Future release. Please sign up for A.F.A.R. now and join us on this creative cross-cultural journey! Your support can be what puts the first studio song in the archive.

---

Fall CD Sale

Three Latest Releases on Sale

This fall, the three latest releases on Ancient-Future.Com Records are on sale for only $11 each with any other purchase at Ancient-Future.Com. Just purchase any book, CD, or make a donation to support the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings, and you will have the option of purchasing any of the CDs below for only $11!

Planet Passion by Ancient Future (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2010) $17.98 list (Fall Sale: $11 with any other purchase): Buy Link. (>audio.)

"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. 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

Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort. (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2008). $17.98 (Fall Sale: $11 with any other purchase): Buy Link. (>audio.)

"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

Sangria by Mariah Parker (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2017). $17.98 (Fall Sale: $11 with any other purchase): Buy Link. (>audio).

"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. Intriguing melodies that draw musical inspirations from the tempos of Brazil, Cuba, India and Spain make for an uplifting serene yet passionate musical journey into an ideal world." - LATIN BEAT MAGAZINE

 

Ancient Future Updated for the Holidays with Video from a Parallel Universe

December 2010 Issue:

Welcome to the Ancient Future Times/Future Ancient Record

In This Issue of the Ancient Future Times:

Major Ancient Future Web site Update

•Sale to Celebrate Store Catalog Upgrade plus Skype Lessons to Celebrate Education Section Upgrade!

In This Issue of the Future Ancient Record:

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.

---

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

Borders Download of the Week, Gigs & Classes, & Moonbath from A.F.A.R.

January 2010 Issue:

Welcome to the Ancient Future Times

Email newsletter of the World Fusion Music Ensemble Ancient Future

Twitter: Matthew Montfort (MatthewMontfort) • Ancient Future Band (Ancient_Future) • Ancient-Future.Com Records (WorldFusion)

Facebook: Matthew Montfort Fan Page • Ancient Future Fan Page

In This Issue:

Challenge from A.F.A.R. Fulfilled!

•Take 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

San Francisco World Music Classes

•Improve Your Rhythmic and Melodic Skills

---

Challenge from A.F.A.R. Fulfilled!

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.

Take a Moonbath from A.F.A.R.

Last month 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.

The new live version of Moonbath is now in the archive and available exclusively to supporters. The 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.

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!

Share on Facebook

Tweet This

---

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

Full 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. (>audio). 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. (>audio).

Sangria by Mariah Parker. Ancient-Future.Com Records AF-2017. 6-panel Digipak CD: $17.98. Valentine's Sale $14! Buy 1 Now. (>audio).

Planet Passion by Ancient Future. Ancient-Future.Com AF-2010. Digipak CD & Booklet: $17.98. Valentine's Sale $14! Buy 1 Now. (>audio.)

---

Start the New Year with a World Music Class with Matthew Montfort

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. Info: 415.341.1333. Facebook Event.
  
• 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. Info: 415.341.1333. Facebook Event.
  

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 world wide, 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.