Las Vegas Concert, 8 Ways to Win, 40th Anniversary Concert, Contributions

Ancient Future Times: Las Vegas Concert, 8 Ways to Win, 40th Anniversary Concert, Contributions
September 2018 Issue:
Ancient Future Performs in Las Vegas
•Featuring Matthew Montfort (Scalloped Fretboard Guitar), Georges Lammam (Arabic Violin), and Vishal Nagar (Tabla)
8 Ways to Win
•Musical Scavenger Hunt
Ancient Future 40th Anniversary & Bandleader Birthday
•Save the Date: 2/12/2019, Freight and Salvage, Berkeley
Contribute to the World Fusion Music Movement
•Ancient Future Accepts Tax Deductible Contributions Through InterMusic SF!

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Ancient Future Performs in Las Vegas

Photo by Julie Martin, Sharif, and Inni Singh. Shown: Matthew Montfort, Georges Lammam, and Vishal Nagar.

Featuring Matthew Montfort (Scalloped Fretboard Guitar), Georges Lammam (Arabic Violin), and Vishal Nagar (Tabla)

This program by the pioneering world music group Ancient Future blends the rhythms and melodies of the Arabian Peninsula, Spain, and India with contemporary jazz and rock, producing an irresistible and exhilarating fusion that captures the essence of pilgrimage, cultural exchange, exploration, and migration. The trio consists of scalloped fretboard guitarist Matthew Montfort performing with Arabic violin virtuoso Georges Lammam and Indian tabla master Vishal Nagar. These multifaceted artists create an innovative musical experience that guides listeners on a hypnotic voyage through time and place.
Musical concepts such as taqsim (an Arabic method of melodic improvisation), tala (the recurring rhythmic cycles of Indian classical music), and compás (the rhythmic structure of flamenco) will be showcased.
Saturday, September 8, 2 PM
Ancient Future Indo Arabic Trio
Winchester Cultural Center
3130 S. McLeod Dr.
Las Vegas NV 89121
Adm: $12 advance, $14 day of show
Purchase Tix
Info: Call 702-455-7340
Press Release
Facebook Event (Please Invite Friends)

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8 Ways to Win

Musical Scavenger Hunt

Start the school year with this scavenger hunt to win music education materials and learn about the ancient musical traditions of the world! Hunt through Ancient-Future.Com to answer the scavenger hunt questions. All of those who get any answer right win an educational digital liner note download of their choice! Get all of the answers right and also win your choice of the Audio Guide or MIDI Groove companion tracks to the world rhythms training manual, Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities.


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. New Best Buy! Book & Audio Guide/MIDI Download- $69.95 (SALE $49.95): Buy 1 Now.
Not just for percussionists, this classic "world beat bible" takes the student on a musical voyage through the ancient rhythmic traditions of Africa, Bali, and India with a series of interesting, imaginative and fun exercises for all music lovers that require no instruments to perform.

8 Scavenger Hunt Questions

1. Name six instruments utilized in an Eve percussion orchestra.
2. What is the name of the more offbeat part of a Balinese kotèkan?
3. What is the name of an 11 beat North Indian rhythmic cycle that includes two groupings of 1 1/2 beats?
4. What is the name of a common South Indian 8 beat rhythmic cycle?
5. What is the name of the Egyptian wedding procession rhythm that is the basis for a popular Ancient Future track?
6. What moods are associated with Rag Alhaiya Bilawal?
7. What are the three main schools of scalloped fretboard guitar?
8. Name two subjects available for study through private online lessons via Skype and other services through Ancient-Future.Com.

This scavenger hunt contest is open only to subscribers to the Ancient Future Times. If you are not already receiving this newsletter, please subscribe before entering. Entries accepted through September 15, 2018. Send entries to info@ancient-future.com.

Scavenger Hunt Prizes

Win Audio Guide or MIDI Groove Tracks (Get All Answers Right)

Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: MP3 Audio Guide Tracks. By Matthew Montfort. Ancient Future Music (2005). A set of 115 audio guide tracks of the exercises in Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities that enable learning by ear. New Release! Companion MP3 Audio Guide Tracks Download- $24.95 (SALE 17.95): Buy 1 Now.
Ancient Rhythms – Future Grooves: MIDI Percussion Groove Tracks from the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India. Version 4.0. By Matthew Montfort. Ancient Future Music (1997. V. 4.0 2017). A complete set of 128 MIDI tracks that playback in Standard MIDI File compatible web browsers. Load them into a MIDI sequencer app (Mac, PC, iOS, Android, etc.) to loop tracks, change the tempo, or listen to individual parts. New Release! MIDI File Download- $24.95 (SALE 17.95): Buy 1 Now.

Win Digital Liner Notes (Get Any Answer Right)

Seven Serenades 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 (SALE $2): Buy 1 Now.

Yearning for the Wind Liner Notes. 7 page .pdf of liner notes for Yearning for the Wind by Ancient Future. These entertaining and educational liner notes feature cover art, musicians biographies, and detailed explanations of the musical concepts of raga and tala behind the music. $1.98 (SALE $1.50): Buy 1 Now.

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Ancient Future 40th Anniversary & Bandleader Birthday

Photo of Ancient Future Circa 1979. Shown: Benjy Wertheimer, Phil Fong, Mindia Devi Klein, Matthew Montfort.

Save the Date: 2/12/2019, Freight and Salvage, Berkeley

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 Matthew Montfort's 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. Stay tuned for surprise announcements of featured musicians.

Tuesday, February 12, 2019 8 PM
Freight and Salvage
2020 Addison Street
Berkeley, CA 94704
Tix: $20 in advance at the F&S, $24 at the door. All tickets are subject to an additional $4 per ticket facility fee. Advance tickets will be available starting fall 2018.
Box Office Phone: 510-644-2020, open 12:30 PM – 7 PM (excluding holidays) and during all performances.
Email: info@freightandsalvage.org
Press Release

Ancient Future History: Reunion Concerts of Yore

Original Lineup Reunion

YouTube Video of Ancient Future Circa 1978. Shown: Matthew Montfort, Yusef Ali, Mindia Devi Klein, Phil Fong, Benjy Wertheimer.
On April 19, 2015, three members of the original line-up of Ancient Future performed together for the first time this century. Ancient Future was formed in 1978 by students at the Ali Akbar College of Music in San Rafael, California, including Mindia Devi Klein (who went by Mindy in those days), Matthew Montfort, Benjy Wertheimer, and Phil Fong, who sadly was unable to attend the reunion as he was battling ALS. He passed away on July 18, 2016.

World Without Walls Reunion

YouTube Video of Ancient Future Performing Bookenka at "World Without Walls Reunion." Shown: Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar), Jim Hurley (violin), Doug McKeehan (keyboards, piano), Ian Dogole (percussion), Kash Killion (bass), and Mariah Parker (santur).
This lineup of Ancient Future that performed on the band's influential World Without Walls and Asian Fusion recordings played over a hundred concerts together from 1988 to 1995. In 2011, they reunited for the first time in 15 years to perform concerts at Todos Santos Plaza in Concord and Yoshi's in San Francisco. In honor of the reunion concerts, World Without Walls was released digitally by Capitol Records for the first time ever at major digital retailers such as iTunes. Twenty two years after its initial release in 1990, broadcasters worldwide voted the record as one of the top 5 world music releases of 2012, after which they continued to perform reunion concerts at venues such as the Frick Museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Berkeley's Freight and Salvage.
"Ancient Future is a rare kind of band that might simultaneously aggravate purists, confound New Age dilettantes, seduce skeptics, and dazzle just about everybody else. Delicious compositions, intricate arrangements, crisp playing and impeccable production put these ambitious voyagers in a league of their own." - Derk Richardson, SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN

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Contribute to the World Fusion Music Movement

Ancient Future Accepts Tax Deductible Contributions 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.
With proceeds from recordings now going mostly to tech companies, and grant supported and city sponsored concerts of original music becoming an endangered species, we really need your help to continue our efforts. In this age of polarization, world fusion music is needed now more than ever. It must be supported financially. Could you do your job without pay? How would you pay your bills? This is what the world fusion music movement faces: dramatically rising costs of living in the midst of major reductions in financial support for music.
Make a Tax Deductible Donation to Ancient Future Through InterMusic SF!
Not part of the top 10% of U.S. taxpayers expected to benefit by itemizing deductions under the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act but still want to contribute? You can make a direct donation (not tax deductible), or sign up to support Ancient Future's fan funded recording project, the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings.

Concerts, Contributions, and Contest with 13 Ways to Win

Ancient Future Times: Concerts, Contributions, and Contest with 13 Ways to Win
July 2018 Friday the 13th Issue:
Ancient Future Performs at Throckmorton Theatre 7/28
•Featuring Matthew Montfort (Guitar), Georges Lammam (Violin), Antoine Lammam (Percussion), and Doug McKeehan (Keys)
Contribute to the World Fusion Music Movement
•Ancient Future Now Accepts Tax Deductible Contributions Through InterMusic SF!
Summer Tour Stops
•Performances in California and Nevada
Musical Scavenger Hunt Contest
•13 Ways to Win

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Ancient Future Performs at Throckmorton Theatre 7/28

'El Zaffa' YouTube Video URL: https://youtu.be/mHle2ipjQsU

Featuring Matthew Montfort (Guitars), Georges Lammam (Violin), Antoine Lammam (Percussion), and Doug McKeehan (Keys)

This program blends the rhythms and melodies of the Arabian Peninsula with contemporary jazz and rock, producing an irresistible and exhilarating fusion that captures the essence of pilgrimage, cultural exchange, exploration and migration.
Ancient Future's performance features world guitar pioneer Matthew Montfort, Arabic violin virtuoso Georges Lammam, Arabic percussion master Antoine Lammam, and keyboardist extraordinaire Doug McKeehan. These multifaceted artists create an innovative musical experience that guides listeners on a hypnotic voyage through time and place.
Saturday, July 28, 8 PM
Throckmorton Theatre
142 Throckmorton Avenue
Mill Valley, CA 94941
Doors open at 7:30 PM
Adm: $20 adv, $25 at door, $35 reserved seating
Tix: tickets.throckmortontheatre.org
Event: throckmortontheatre.org/event/ancient-future/
Info: 415-383-9600
Facebook Event
Listen on Spotify

Poster to Share or Print and Post

Concert Poster (259k pdf)
Ancient Future will also perform this program at the Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton on August 4. That show sold out immediately with tickets that ranged in price from $45 to $199, so advanced tickets are highly recommended for the July 28 show at the Throckmorton Theatre.

Concert Review

"Woe, is for all of you who missed the Ancient Future event sponsored by Rhythm & Bliss. The group Ancient Future is made up of Musical Masters in their genres. The band consists of 24 musicians that come together in different configurations and create fused music. This configuration was an Arabic/Rock fusion. I have no words to describe what it is to hear live musical virtuosos. After hearing and dancing to this quality of music nothing else stirs my soul the same way. It was truly a grand evening. I was so very glad to have been there." – Mary Wheeler, The Harrakat, Eugene, Oregon

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Contribute to the World Fusion Music Movement

Ancient Future Now Accepts Tax Deductible Contributions Through InterMusic SF!

As the Ancient Future Times reported in its April 2018 issue, Ancient Future has been accepted for fiscal sponsorship with InterMusic SF, and we are happy to report that we have now received more than one tax deductible contribution!
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.
With income from recordings now instead going mostly to tech companies, and grant supported and city sponsored concerts of original music becoming an endangered species, we really need your help to continue our efforts. The world needs world fusion music, but it must be supported financially. Could you do your job without pay? How would you pay your bills? This is what the world fusion music movement faces: dramatically rising costs of living in the midst of major reductions in financial support for music.

Donate to Ancient Future Through InterMusic SF!

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Summer Tour Stops

Performances in California and Nevada

• Saturday, July 21, 8 PM, Mariah Parker's Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble, Occidental Center for the Arts, 3850 Doris Murphy Ct. (Bohemian Hwy. at Graton Rd.), Occidental CA 95465. Tix: $22 in advance, $26 at door. Info: 707-874-9392 or email info@occidentalcenterforthearts.org.
• SOLD OUT: Sunday, August 4, 8:30 PM, Ancient Future Arabic Dance Ensemble, Benefit Concert for UCO Lick Observatory, Main Building Hall, Mount Hamilton, CA 95140. Adm: $45 general seating, $90 preferred, $199 VIP.
• Sunday, August , 5 PM to 9 PM, Hindustani Guitar and Violin Concert featuring Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar), Sharat Chandra Srivastava (violin), and Rajvinder Singh (tabla), Private Location, Oakland, CA, 94607. Adm: $20. Email mikedave@gmail.com to receive an invitation and make reservations.
• Saturday, August 18, 8 PM, Mariah Parker's Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble, Throckmorton Theatre, 142 Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941. Doors open at 7:30 PM. Adm: $20 adv, $25 at door, $35 reserved seating. Tix: tickets.throckmortontheatre.org. Info: 415-383-9600.
• Saturday, September 8, 2 PM, Ancient Future Indo Arabic Trio featuring Matthew Montfort, Georges Lammam, and Vishal Nagar, Winchester Cultural Center, 3130 S. McLeod Dr., Las Vegas NV 89121. Adm: $12 advance, $15 day of show. Purchase Tix. Info: Call (702) 455-7340. Facebook.

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Musical Scavenger Hunt Contest

13 Ways to Win

Participate in this educational scavenger hunt to win music education materials and learn about the ancient musical traditions of the world! Hunt through Ancient-Future.Com to answer the scavenger hunt questions. All of those who get any any answer right win an educational digital liner note download! Get all of the answers right and also win your choice of the Audio Guide or MIDI Groove companion tracks to the world rhythms training manual, Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities.


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. New Best Buy! Book & Audio Guide/MIDI Download- $69.95 (SALE $49.95): Buy 1 Now.
Not just for percussionists, this classic "world beat bible" takes the student on a musical voyage through the ancient rhythmic traditions of Africa, Bali, and India with a series of interesting, imaginative and fun exercises for all music lovers that require no instruments to perform.

13 Scavenger Hunt Questions

1. What rhythm was used as the basis for the fast section of the title track from the Ancient Future album Quiet Fire?
2. Name six instruments utilized in an Eve percussion orchestra.
3. What is the name of the more offbeat part of a Balinese kotèkan?
4. What rhythm was used as the basis for the composition "Gamarock" from the Ancient Future album Dreamchaser?
5. What is the name of an 11 beat North Indian rhythmic cycle that includes two groupings of 1 1/2 beats?
6. What is the name of a common South Indian 8 beat rhythmic cycle?
7. What is the name of the Egyptian wedding procession rhythm that is the basis for a popular Ancient Future track?
8. What moods are associated with Rag Alhaiya Bilawal?
9. What is the name of the second, higher part of a North Indian melodic composition?
10. How many sympathetic strings does a North Indian sitar typically have?
11. What are the three main schools of scalloped fretboard guitar?
12. What instrument was traditionally made from the shell of an armadillo?
13. Name two subjects available for study through private online lessons via Skype and other services through Ancient-Future.Com.

This scavenger hunt contest is open only to subscribers to the Ancient Future Times. If you are not already receiving this newsletter, please subscribe before entering. Entries accepted through August 13, 2018. Send entries to info@ancient-future.com.

Scavenger Hunt Prizes

Audio Guide Tracks

Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: MP3 Audio Guide Tracks. By Matthew Montfort. Ancient Future Music (2005). New Release! Companion MP3 Audio Guide Tracks Download- $24.95 (SALE 17.95): Buy 1 Now.
A set of 115 audio guide tracks of the exercises in Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities that enable learning by ear.

MIDI Groove Tracks

Ancient Rhythms – Future Grooves: MIDI Percussion Groove Tracks from the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India. Version 4.0. By Matthew Montfort. Ancient Future Music (1997. V. 4.0 2017). New Release! MIDI File Download- $24.95 (SALE 17.95): Buy 1 Now.
A complete set of 128 MIDI tracks that playback in Standard MIDI File compatible web browsers. For greater control or for use as rhythm tracks in audio productions, load them into a MIDI sequencer app (Mac, PC, iOS, Android, etc.) to loop tracks, change the tempo, or listen to individual parts. The files come arranged for General MIDI percussion and can be remapped to other instruments using the included MIDI maps.

Digital Liner Notes

Educational 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 (SALE $2): Buy 1 Now.


Educational Digital Liner Notes. This download is a seven page .pdf of liner notes for Yearning for the Wind by Ancient Future. These entertaining and educational liner notes feature cover art, musicians biographies, and detailed explanations of the musical concepts of raga and tala behind the music. $1.98 (SALE $1.50): Buy 1 Now.

New Scalloped Fretboard Guitar, New Tracks A.F.A.R., New Concerts

January 2016 Issue:
Matthew's Got a Brand New Axe!
•Custom Martin with Fretboard Scalloped by Alan Perlman
Ancient Future Bay Area Concerts
•Debut Performances with Matthew Montfort's New Scalloped Fretboard Guitar

1. Castle Concert in Pacifica
   •Saturday, January 23, 6 PM
2. Dinner Concert at Fenix in San Rafael
   •Sunday, January 24, 6:30 PM
3. Performers and Special Guests
   •Matthew Montfort, Vishal Nagar, Mariah Parker, Georges Lammam, Jason Everett, Mindia Devi Klein
   

Expanding A.F.A.R.
•2 More Live Tracks and 2 Studio Tracks Recorded, but Funds Needed for Licensing Costs
Ancient Future in Your Home Town
•Send Us the Names of Presenters in Your Area and Tune-in to Live Stream on Sunday, January 24, 6:30 PM PST

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Matthew's Got a Brand New Axe!

Hi-Res Photo of Martin guitar by Alan Perlman (3.6 MB)

Custom Martin with Fretboard Scalloped by Alan Perlman

Matthew Montfort is a pioneer of the scalloped fretboard guitar, an instrument with a modified fretboard in which the wood between frets has been carved out in order to facilitate intricate note-bending ornaments. His new custom guitar is the result of a collaboration between Montfort, Dick Boak of the Artist Relations Department of C.F. Martin & Co., and San Francisco luthier Alan Perlman. Dick Boak has been involved in the conception of more than one hundred and forty signature guitar collaborations with the top musical talents of our time. Starting in 2014, he worked with Montfort to help design the instrument, which features a very large sound hole to add volume, an extra upper bout sound hole so that Montfort can hear the guitar better, a cutaway with extra frets protruding into the sound hole to accommodate his extended playing range, and a short scale yet wide neck to allow for greater string bending capability. Master luthier Alan Perlman scalloped the fretboard and added other finishing touches to complete this amazing instrument.
The new guitar will be featured on new tracks to be recorded for the Archive of Future Ancient Recordings and at the upcoming San Francisco Bay Area concerts, one of which streams live so it is possible to tune in anywhere in the world.

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Ancient Future Bay Area Concerts

Debut Performances with New Scalloped Fretboard Guitar

Blending ancient world music traditions from fiery flamenco to resonant raga with the contemporary colors of jazz and rock, this variation of the world fusion music group Ancient Future features world guitar pioneer Matthew Montfort, renowned Indian tabla virtuoso Vishal Nagar, and composer/santurist Mariah Parker plus special guests performing new music and favorites from the band's eight ground breaking recordings. These concerts will be Matthew Montfort's debut performances on his brand new custom Martin scalloped fretboard guitar.

Castle Concert in Pacifica

YouTube Video of 'Yearning for the Wind' by Ancient Future

Featuring Matthew Montfort (Guitars), Vishal Nagar (Tabla), Mariah Parker (Santur), and Special Guest Georges Lammam (Violin)

This intimate evening of music at the beautiful and historic Mazza Castle in Pacifica includes a pre-concert gathering with wine and refreshments! Arabic violin master Georges Lammam is the resident artist for the concert series, and plans to sit in on a few of his favorite pieces from his many performances with the band.
Saturday, January 23, 6 PM
The Mazza Castle
900 Mirador Terrace
Pacifica, CA 94044
Adm: $40 per guest, includes wine and refreshments.
Limited to 45 seats. Reserve tickets early at brownpapertickets.com/event/1590813.
6 PM - Gather with refreshments. Music begins promptly at 7 PM.
Info: Call 650-355-0272.
Facebook Event.

Dinner Concert at Fenix in San Rafael

Featuring Matthew Montfort (Guitars), Vishal Nagar (Tabla), Mariah Parker (Santur), and Special Guests Jason Everett (Seven-String Fretless Bass) and Mindia Devi Klein (Bansuri Flute)

Seattle area bassist Jason Everett, who performed on Ancient Future's 2015 Pacific Northwest tour, is passing through and will round out the bottom. Original Ancient Future flutist Mindia Devi Klein will sit in on a few tunes, including a new piece to be recorded for the next Ancient Future album.
The Fenix is a sought-after stage crafted by world-renowned acoustic designer John Storyk (Jazz at Lincoln Center) for accomplished musicians from all over the world. The menu features Southern cuisine with a healthy twist from Executive Chef Glenn "Gator" Thompson.
Sunday, January 24, 6:30 to 9 PM
Fenix
919 Fourth Street
San Rafael, CA 94901
Adm: $20 adv./$25 door plus dinner.
Tix: Advance tickets highly recommended at www.fenixlive.com and in person at the Fenix.
Info: Call 415-813-5600.
Facebook Event.

Concert Poster (150k pdf)

Performers and Special Guests

Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard and fretless guitars)

Matthew Montfort is the leader of Ancient Future. He has expanded boundaries of guitar playing through the study world music traditions and released two solo guitar recordings: Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar and Sympathetic Serenade, for which he is recognized as one of the world's 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists by DigitalDreamDoor.com. 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. He teaches all styles of guitar, ukulele, bass, charango, sitar, and mandolin as well as music theory for all instruments and rhythm classes based on his book at his studio in San Rafael, California, and online via Skype.
Solo Recordings by Matthew Montfort


Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort. (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2008). "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

Sympathetic Serenade by Matthew Montfort. (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2012). "An expression of solo virtuosity on a variant axe which isn't employed by very many. Brilliant modern semi-neoclassical work with very strong ties to the traditional residing within progressive annals." — Mark S. Tucker, FAME

Vishal Nagar (tabla)

"He has magic in his hands" - Hindustan Times
Vishal Nagar is considered one of the most gifted tabla players of his generation. Born into a family of musicians, Vishal had his initial training with the late Ustad Latif Ahmed Khan of the Delhi Gharana and continued under the guidance of Ustad Shamim Ahmed Khan. He also has had intense rhythmic training from his mother, the renowned Kathak dancer and vocalist, Urmila Nagar. Starting his performance career at the age of eight,Vishal has been praised in the Indian press for his unique combination of melodic tabla sound production with masterful command of rhythm and has also been awarded with the Ministry of Culture Scholarship from the Department of Culture.
Ancient Future Recording Featuring Vishal Nagar


Yearning for the Wind by Ancient Future. (Ancient-Future.Com AF-90352). "Matthew is joined by Vishal Nagar on tabla, and they clearly show (sonically) the joy than can be achieved by well-placed and strictly focused music. The tabla percussion makes it far more than 'just another raga'." — Dick Metcalf, ZZAJ PRODUCTIONS

Mariah Parker (composer, santur)

Mariah Parker, while completing her degree in music at UC Santa Cruz, worked with ethnomusicologist Fred Lieberman and Mickey Hart on the “Planet Drum” project. The CD release party for her first solo recording as a composer, Sangria (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2017), drew a full house at the famous Yoshi's Jazz Club in Oakland. The band she leads featuring such veteran performers as Paul McCandless of the group Oregon has performed to rave reviews at notable festivals and concert venues. Her live album will be released in 2016.
Indo Latin Jazz Recording by Mariah Parker

Sangria by Mariah Parker (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2017). "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

Georges Lammam (Arabic violin)

The second of three brothers who are professional musicians, Georges Lammam was born in Beirut, Lebanon. He lived for 14 years in the United Arab Emirates and is well-known in the Middle East as well as the U.S.A. as a master violinist excelling in improvisation and lyricism. Having performed with the most well-known singers of the Middle East, his reputation as an instrumental accompanist with a strong command of maqamat precedes him. He is on the faculty of the Near East Music and Dance Camp in Mendocino.
Ancient Future Recording Featuring Georges Lammam

Planet Passion by Ancient Future (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2010). "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." — Ryan Allen, LEO WEEKLY, Louisville, Kentucky

Jason Everett (seven-string fretless bass)

Jason Everett performs on his custom Conklin seven-string fretless bass guitar. He attended Northern Arizona University on a full scholarship for music and started playing professional gigs at sixteen years old. He was originally inspired to explore world music after hearing Quiet Fire, Ancient Future's third album. This passion for world music evolved to avid listening to the works of Indian masters like Ali Akbar Khan, Ravi Shankar, and Zakir Hussain. Jason started his own world fusion group in 1990 called Tal Maya and has since played with many well-known Indian, Arabic, flamenco, and fusion artists including Andre Feriante and John Wubbenhorst and Facing East.

Mindia Devi Klein (bansuri flute)

Ancient Future cofounder Mindia Devi Klein is an award winning musician, composer and educator. She sings and performs on bansuri (classical bamboo flute of India), silver flute, Balinese gamelan (bamboo, bronze, and wood tuned percussion). She is a disciple of Indian classical music legend Ustad Ali Akbar Khan. She began her training in Indian classical music at age 19 at the Ali Akbar College of music in San Rafael, California. While at the college she also studied under bansuri maestro Pandit G.S. Sachdev and world renown tabla master Ustad Zakir Hussain. Mindia was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in Balinese gamelan music and spent a year studying gamelan in Bali.
Original Ancient Future Recordings Featuring Mindia Devi Klein

Visions of a Peaceful Planet by Ancient Future (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2004). "The first thing that makes this LP a delight is the magnificence of the instrumental blending...the Bansuri flute of Klein over a harmonic bed of sitar, tabla, sarod, zither, and tanpura; great stuff sounds like a dove whistling in a forest of stringed instruments." — Philip Elwood, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
Natural Rhythms by Ancient Future (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2005). "One of the most intriguing albums you're ever likely to hear. Exceptionally beautiful." — Colorblind James, S. F. MUSIC CALENDAR

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Expanding A.F.A.R.

2 More Live Tracks and 2 Studio Tracks Recorded, but Funds Needed for Licensing Costs

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

The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings, Ancient Future's fan funded recording project, has 10 tracks and over an hour of music in it so far, and supporters of the archive can purchase a limited edition CD of all of these tracks, appropriately titled A.F.A.R. So Far.
Another four tracks have been recorded, mixed, and mastered for the archive. To add the new tracks, we need to finalize the licensing fee for Ancient Future's first ever and very unique cover of a popular song, but that has proven to be a difficult project because the rights holders don't answer inquiries. This means we are going to have to issue a compulsory license, which means additional paperwork and legal expense. The time spent trying to reach them has caused a delay in our upgrade plans, and now we also need to raise some additional funds to pay for the licensing and filing fees.
The new tracks recorded will represent a 40% expansion of the project! 17% of the funding goal has been raised, which is substantial, but we need additional supporters to finish the project. And if you are already a supporter, you can still upgrade until each supporter level is sold out. We also have just a few CDs left of the last version of the archive that will fit on one CD. This is the last chance to get one of these CDs, and it's on sale at a reduced price of only $15 once you are a supporter of the project! Because the archive will soon not fit on a CD, the next A.F.A.R. CD offering will be The Best of A.F.A.R. So Far and won't have all of the tracks that have been added to the archive.
Please become a supporter at one of the levels below, starting at just $15. 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 the CD-R. Only a very few copies of each edition of A.F.A.R. So Far are made, as new tracks are added as money is raised.
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.

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Ancient Future in Your Home Town

YouTube Video of Ancient Future World Without Walls Reunion Concert, October 16, 2013

Suggest Your Favorite Home Town Venue (Also Tune-in to the Live Stream January 24)

Do you live in an area where Ancient Future never seems to tour? Ancient Future is available to perform anywhere in the world. The catch is that we need a budget to pay for the travel costs and musician honorariums. If you know of a concert presenter or festival with a budget for travel, you can help by sending their contact information to info@ancient-future.com. It is important that you also reach out to the concert presenter and suggest that Ancient Future perform. Examples of concert presenters that may have travel budgets from time to time can include major festivals, university fine arts concert programs, publicly funded fine arts venues, and corporate events.
While it will take quite some time to arrange a concert tour to your area, you can tune into a live concert stream of Ancient Future's show from the Fenix at original.livestream.com/fenixlive on January 24 at 6:30 PM Pacific Time.

Castle Concert and Library Listening

June 2015 Issue:
Sonoma Library Free Concert Series
•Matthew Montfort (Guitars) and Vishal Nagar (Tabla)
Castle Concert
•Matthew Montfort (Guitars) and Vishal Nagar (Tabla) with Special Guest Georges Lammam (Violin)
Around A.F.A.R. So Far in 70 Minutes
•Last Chance to Get This Version of A.F.A.R. on Sale on CD!

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Sonoma Library Free Concert Series

Matthew Montfort (Guitars) and Vishal Nagar (Tabla)

Watch on Ethnocloud
Saturday, June 6, 2 PM
Rohnert Park-Cotati Library
6250 Lynne Conde Way, Rohnert Park Expressway / State Farm Drive
Rohnert Park, CA 94928

Saturday, June 27, 2 PM
Sonoma Valley Regional Library
755 West Napa Street
Sonoma, CA 95476

Saturday, August 22, 11:30 AM
Central Santa Rosa Library
211 E Street
Santa Rosa, CA 95404

Saturday, August 22, 2:30 PM
Petaluma Regional Library
100 Fairgrounds Dr
Petaluma, CA 94952

Learn about Indian raga and tala and hear how they mix with passionate flamenco, energetic Celtic music, and other world music traditions in these free library programs by Ancient Future featuring world guitar pioneer Matthew Montfort and renowned Indian tabla virtuoso Vishal Nagar. The program will feature music from the ground breaking world music recordings of Ancient Future, including the first audio/video release in Ancient Future history, 2014's Yearning for the Wind. All the concerts are free to the public. For more info, visit sonomalibrary.org/events.
"Matthew Montfort subtly coaxes remarkably flowing lines from his scalloped fretboard guitar. And Indian tabla virtuoso Vishal Nagar intuitively places incredibly intricate rhythmic patterns into the piece. Ancient Future has been making wonderful world fusion music for three decades. The possibilities remain infinite." — Paul Freeman, PALO ALTO DAILY NEWS

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Castle Concert

Matthew Montfort (Guitars) and Vishal Nagar (Tabla) with Special Guest Georges Lammam (Violin)

Watch on Ethnocloud
This intimate evening of music at the historic Mazza Castle in Pacifica, California, features Matthew Montfort and Vishal Nagar. Special guest Georges Lammam, the Arabic violin master on Planet Passion, will sit in with the duet on a number of pieces. This will be the first time that Georges Lammam and Vishal Nagar perform together, so make sure to reserve tickets early so that you can witness the very first meeting of these master musicians!
Sunday, June 21, 4 PM
The Mazza Castle
900 Mirador Terrace
Pacifica, CA 94044
$40 per guest, includes wine and refreshments.
Limited to 45 seats. Reserve tickets early at Brown Paper Tickets.
4 PM - Gather with refreshments. Music begins promptly at 5 PM.
Info: 650-355-0272

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Around A.F.A.R. So Far in 70 Minutes

Last Chance to Get This Version of A.F.A.R. on Sale on CD!

The Archive of Future Ancient Recordings, Ancient Future's fan funded recording project, has 10 tracks and 70 minutes of music in it so far, and supporters of the archive can purchase a limited edition CD of all of these tracks, appropriately titled A.F.A.R. So Far.
Another eleven and a half minutes of music have been recorded, mixed, and mastered for the archive! We just need to finalize the licensing fee for Ancient Future's first ever and very unique cover of a popular song.
In the meantime, we have just a few CDs left of the last version of the archive that will fit on one CD. This is your last chance to get one of these CDs, and it's on sale at a reduced price of only $15! Because the archive will soon not fit on a CD, the next A.F.A.R. CD offering will be The Best of A.F.A.R. So Far and won't have all of the tracks that have been added to the archive.
Please become a supporter at one of the levels below, starting at just $15. Once you become a supporter at any level, 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 the CD-R. Only a very few copies of each edition of A.F.A.R. So Far are made, as new tracks are added as money is raised.
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.