Ancient Future

Ancient Future Times Sept 2008: Channeling Change

Ancient Future — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:41:26 -0000

September 2008 Edition

This is the email newsletter of Ancient Future, the world's longest running musical ensemble dedicated to the mission of the creation of world fusion music and to increasing awareness and understanding of world music traditions.

To subscribe, use the form below. Follow instructions thereafter, and make sure to ONLY check the geographic area where you 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:
Listener Sponsored World Fusion Music Program Update
Pre-Releases on Ancient-Future.Com Records
Former Dead Kennedy Frontman Jello Biafra Reviews CD
Free CD Contest

Listener Sponsored World Fusion Music Update

by Matthew Montfort

Support Report

We are very sorry if you tried to support Ancient Future's Listener Sponsored World Fusion Music program after its announcement and your credit card was denied. It wasn't you, it was a poor choice in web hosting companies. But the good news is that we have now switched to faster servers, upgraded to the latest shopping cart, and since getting everything working in mid-August, we've raised $675. We'd like to thank the following initial supporters:

Leslie Lawton: Download Supporter Package
Musicians for Peace: Limited Edition CD Sponsor Package
Mettagraphics: Logo Link

Crucial Creative Cause

In December, 1978, Ancient Future went into Tres Virgos Studio in Mill Valley to begin work on the first Ancient Future record, Visions of a Peaceful Planet, which was first released in May of 1979. To commemorate 30 years of world fusion music, a 30th Anniversary Recording Series is planned with work starting in late 2008.

A special download supporter area will be unveiled in December where the work files for the project will be posted as it is being created. Even before new recordings are made, supporters will have access to files from our archives of live concerts and radio performances that are not currently available commercially. They will help serve as examples of possible directions the recording could take.

To fund Ancient Future's 30th Anniversary Recording Series, a subscription system model is being employed. It is a bit like making a "people's label" to fund the recording. There are four supporter packages available. You can be a virtual fly-on-the-wall during the recording process through the Recording Newsletter Package ($10, Buy 1 Now). The Download Supporter Package ($25, Buy 1 Now) includes the newsletter plus downloads of archival recordings and new music as it is recorded. The Limited Edition CD Sponsor Package ($50, Buy 1 Now) includes all of the above plus an exclusive limited edition CD. Finally, the Honorary A & R Representative Package ($75, Buy 1 Now) includes all of the above plus a DVD with video and hi-rez audio.

Contribution Solution

A World Fusion Music Fund has been set up by Octave Alliance's Green Music Network, the nonprofit organization for social change through music started by Ancient-Future.Com artist Alan Tower, and is now accepting tax deductible donations to sponsor world fusion music concerts by Ancient Future.

Links Listings

For just $100 a month you or your business can be a Link Sponsor of Ancient-Future.Com and will be thanked with a text link to your web site from Ancient Future's popular home page and the World Fusion Music Links Page.

Channeling Change

I know it can be difficult to support a cause in times of economic hardship. Being a musician, I'm not without practice coping with economic uncertainty. What I have done lately may be of help to others as well. I quit my favorite vice: coffee. I'm channeling the change I'm saving to help fund Ancient Future, and this week I even splurged and donated to a political campaign. You know, the one for hope and change in the USA. It was my investment in the future. It will be easier to make positive changes through music if society is pointing in a better direction.

Of course, my political donation can effectively be erased by people making donations to the other side. You know, the folksy down-to-earth campaign to support wars, big oil, and tax breaks for the rich. The great thing about contributing to the world fusion music process is that your contribution is not erased by other people contributing to something else. Whoever wins the US election, this sort of work can be of help in creating more understanding between people. Your support can help insure the survival of Ancient Future and the virtuoso world fusion music movement.

"The time has definitely come for world fusion music. Ancient Future is one step ahead of the game; on their side is the philosophical parallel between global consonance and world peace." – SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL

Pre-Releases on Ancient-Future.Com Records

Available exclusively through the Ancient Future catalog until the Internet release on October 14, 2008, and the general release on CD January 20, 2009.

Sangria by Mariah Parker (Ancient-Future.Com 2017) Pre-Release Signed CD- $24.98: Buy 1 Now. This debut recording features Mariah's original compositions that draw musical inspiration from Brazil, Cuba, Spain, and India. Her Indo Latin Jazz Ensemble includes musicians from the bands Ancient Future, Oregon, Sun Ra, and Herbie Hancock's Headhunters. The CD is not yet in stores, but the first 50 signed and numbered copies are available now. (Read more).

Waterwheel (Mariah Parker) (>audio). Beginning with a bowed bass solo, the fluid tabla in circular 7/8 time takes us flowing around the wheel.

Review

"With her music and her soul, Mariah Parker transcends musical categorization and gives us a window to an ideal world. Her music is uplifting, peaceful yet passionate, and always evolving. The collective spirit of the players on Sangria shines through, enveloping you with exotic texture and inventive play, but what captivates us is Parker’s gift for melody. Although instrumental, her pieces speak and sing to us, sometimes whispering, sometimes asserting, and always giving us great pleasure." – Rebeca Mauléon (Bay area pianist, composer and educator at the forefront of Latin Jazz)

Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort. (Ancient-Future.Com AF 2008). Pre-Release Signed CD- $24.98: Buy 1 Now. The debut recording by Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort showcases his pioneering work on the scalloped fretboard guitar, a special modified instrument able to produce ornaments more characteristic of the sitar. The CD is not yet in stores, but the first 50 signed and numbered copies are available now. (Read more).

Soul Serenade (Matthew Montfort) (>audio). This improvisation in E minor captures the feeling of the initial emergency drive-by serenade that inspired this recording.

First Review from a Seemingly Unlikely Source...

"I first realized Matthew Montfort was a true guitar wizard when he called me on the phone and played me one flawless Hendrix riff after another.We were in the seventh grade. By the time we escaped high school, Matt had gone acoustic, turning coffee house basements into his own planet with fierce improvisations. Now a pioneering master of world fusion, his knowledge and depth are staggering, yet he doesn't let it get in the way of the joy and spirit and soul that we like about music in the first place." – Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedy front man turned spoken word activist, politician and owner of Alternative Tentacles Records)

CD Contest

A free copy of Mariah Parker's Sangria will be awarded to the contestant who submits the best idea to promote or improve the Listener Sponsored World Fusion Music program. To enter, send your idea to info@ancient-future.com. Best idea received by October 1, 2008, wins the CD. Include your shipping address in case you win.

The winner of the Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar CD from last issue's contest was Peter Scherr, a musician in Hong Kong who suggested that Ancient Future contact the State Department about performing overseas. This had been tried, but the Bush appointee in charge of the Cultural Programs Division didn't respond to queries about world fusion music. Hopefully, in spite of the recent divide and conquer/Trojan horse/Wizard of Oz surprise vice-presidential selection amplified by the dark force compliant/ratings hungry corporate media spin machine, reason will in the end prevail and the next administration will put a greater emphasis on sanity in international relations.

World Fusion Music is a Cause

Ancient Future — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:27:53 -0000

====================
Ancient Future Times
Summer 2008 Edition
====================

This is the email newsletter of Ancient Future, the world's longest
running musical ensemble dedicated to the mission of the creation of
world fusion music and to increasing awareness and understanding of
world music traditions.

In This Issue:
Listener Sponsored World Fusion Music
New Fall Releases on Ancient-Future.Com Records
Radio Interview on Worldstreams.org
Guitar-Sitar Jugalbandi Concert in Winnemucca, Nevada
Ancient Future Nepali Benefit Concert in Auburn, California

====================================================
Listener Sponsored Music from Ancient Future
by Matthew Montfort
http://www.ancient-future.com/donation.html
====================================================

Support Report

For the first few decades of Ancient Future seasons, I brought
together a diverse set of institutions to provide the support for
world fusion music. We had a record deal that included major label
distribution and financial support for record production. Even though
we had to fight hard to maintain artistic integrity, our victory was
that we were able blaze the trail for support for world fusion music
from the record industry. Ancient Future was selected as a recommended
ensemble for California Arts Council Touring Program support, which
paid half of our fee for selected tour dates. While there was no
circuit of venues for world fusion music, there were some open minded
folk, jazz, and traditional ethnic music presenters who included
Ancient Future in their offerings. All of this allowed me to keep
Ancient Future afloat and stay true to my mission of bringing world
fusion music into the world.

Current Conditions

Due to the downturn in the record industry and the decline of state
funding for the arts, most of the institutions in the USA that were
supporting Ancient Future either no longer exist, or have drastically
cut back their programs and are focusing limited resources on their
core missions rather than expanding into new territory. So, for our
30th Anniversary Season coming up, a new support structure for Ancient
Future concerts and recordings is needed.

Crucial Creative Cause

This is important because Ancient Future is not just a band, it is a
cause. It is a musical organization dedicated to the mission of
creating world fusion music, a term I coined in 1978 to describe
Ancient Future's unusual blend of musical traditions from around the
world. My vision was a musical movement seeking to show how people
from different cultures can grow by learning from each other. World
fusion is a process by which new traditions are created, and has
occurred throughout history. It would be difficult to find a form of
traditional music that has not at some time been influenced by the
music of another culture. Current times offer the opportunity for
musicians to learn music from anywhere on earth. It is my passion and
vision for Ancient Future to explore new sonic territory between
different traditions, while illuminating the ancient musical knowledge
of the world.

It is critical that new innovations based on the knowledge of the
world's great traditions are supported, because without new
innovation, the art of music can lose its vital spark and relevance in
contemporary life. In world fusion music, master musicians from
different cultures work together and grow from the exchange. They
learn techniques and forms that are new to them, and in a small way
act as ambassadors between their peoples. Because it has both familiar
and exotic elements, world fusion music has the potential to open
people up to music and ideas from cultures other than their own. I
believe that the cumulative effect of people appreciating diverse
cultures can have very positive ramifications for international
relations.

Contribution Solution

Recent cuts in arts programs and changes in the record industry make
direct listener support of virtuoso level world fusion music more
important than ever. The same Internet that gave listeners the tools
to damage the record industry through file sharing also gives them the
tools to band together to support the the cause of world fusion music
directly. Although these tools make it easy to unite people who
already share a single easily Googled common interest, building
bridges between cultures takes a lot more effort. So for those music
lovers who enjoy the music created through this vibrant musical
process, with its potential to open hearts and minds and connect
diverse cultures in positive ways, the time has come to get involved.

Please support the cause through the World Fusion Music Support Page
(ancient-future.com/donation.html). There you will find a variety of
intriguing ways to get involved. For example, for as little as $25 you
can become a download subscriber to world fusion music recordings and
be a part of the process of creating the next Ancient Future record.
For just $100 a month you or your business can be a sponsor of
Ancient-Future.Com and will be thanked with a text link to your web
site from Ancient Future's popular home page and the World Fusion
Music Links Page. A tax deductible donation of $250 helps support
touring to your region and you will be thanked with a pair of VIP
tickets to the nearest Ancient Future concert or 5 CDs on the
Ancient-Future.Com label.

Your support can help insure the survival of Ancient Future and the
virtuoso world fusion music movement. Plus with the variety of options
explained on the the World Fusion Music Support Page, there is an
engaging way for everyone to get involved!

"The time has definitely come for world fusion music. Ancient Future
is one step ahead of the game; on their side is the philosophical
parallel between global consonance and world peace." - SANTA CRUZ
SENTINEL

===============================================
New Fall Releases on Ancient-Future.Com Records
Seven Serenades by Matthew Montfort
Sangria by Mariah Parker
===============================================

Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar by Matthew Montfort.
(Ancient-Future.Com AF 2008). Pre-Release Signed CD- $24.98. Ships
starting August 1, 2008. Buy 1 Now:
http://www.ancient-future.com/mivaroot/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=OINF&Store_Code=AWMC&Action=ADPR&Product_Code=7SCD&Attributes=Yes&Quantity=1

The debut recording by Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort
showcases his pioneering work on the scalloped fretboard guitar, a
special modified instrument able to produce ornaments more
characteristic of the sitar. Read more:
http://www.ancient-future.com/serenade.html

Sangria by Mariah Parker (Ancient-Future.Com 2017) Signed, pre-release
CD- $24.98. Ships starting August 1, 2008. Buy 1 Now:
http://www.ancient-future.com/mivaroot/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=OINF&Store_Code=AWMC&Action=ADPR&Product_Code=SGCD&Attributes=Yes&Quantity=1

This debut recording features Mariah's original compositions that draw
musical inspiration from Brazil, Cuba, Spain, and India. Her Indo
Latin Jazz Ensemble includes musicians from the bands Ancient Future,
Oregon, Sun Ra, and Herbie Hancock's Headhunters. Read more:
http://www.ancient-future.com/sangria.html

Both are available exclusively through the Ancient Future catalog
until the Internet release on October 14, 2008.

Related Media:

Sangria (Mariah Parker). Mariah Parker first composed this piece for
"Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar" where it appears in a
delicate trio arrangement. Mariah later created this large ensemble
arrangement, which became the title track of her debut release,
"Sangria."
audio:
http://www.jukeboxalive.com/audio_play_offsite.php?mid=1694403&skin=974763

===================================
Radio Interview on Worldstreams.org
===================================

WorldStreams Radio Interview
http://www.worldstreams.org/past22.html

Matthew Montfort was interviewed on WorldStreams Radio about his views
on world fusion music, Ancient Future history, his rhythm training
manual, and his debut CD, "Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard
Guitar." Originally broadcast July 23, 2008

WorldStreams.org is an international multi-media internet resource
offering diverse programs on music, the arts, culture, world politics
and social issues around the world through discourse with both well
known people and ordinary individuals with extraordinary stories.

======================================
Guitar-Sitar Jugalbandi Show in Nevada
August 15, 2008 ~ 8:00 pm
Martin Hotel
Winnemucca, NV
======================================

Friday, August 15, 2008 ~ 8:00 pm
Great Basin Arts and Entertainment
Martin Hotel
Railroad & Melarkey Streets
Winnemucca, NV 89445
Adm: $10 at The Martin Hotel (775) 623-3197 and Nature's Corner (775)
625-4330. Email contact@gbae.org for more information.

Ancient Future
Guitar-Sitar Jugalbandi featuring

Pandit Habib Khan ~ sitar
Matthew Montfort ~ scalloped fretboard guitar
Arshad Syed ~ tabla

About this Program:

"Jugalbandi" is a classical North Indian musical duet (literally "tied
together"), in this case with the unusual configuration of sitar and
guitar accompanied by tabla.

This jugalbandi works so well because Matthew Montfort is a guitarist
with knowledge of sitar and Pandit Habib Khan has been described as
the "Jimi Hendrix of the sitar" by L'ORIENT LE JOUR, Beirut's French
language newspaper. As anyone who has seen this dynamic ensemble
before knows, this will not be a typical Indian music concert. The
ground between jazz, blues, rock, and raga will be explored, and the
contrast between guitar and sitar will be shown in both Eastern and
Western settings.

Related Media:

Dawn of Love (Montfort). This video of the Guitar-Sitar Jugalbandi
performing Montfort's song "Dawn of Love" has been watched over 40,000
times on YouTube and myspace!
video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDJet-KlQLU

For an explanation of the raga this melody was composed in, check out
the 10th edition of the World Rhythms News:
http://www.ancient-future.com/worldrhythms10.html

Socha Socha (Khan/Montfort). North Indian raga from the "Planet
Passion" recording featuring Pandit Habib Khan on sitar and Matthew
Montfort on scalloped fretboard guitar.
audio:
http://www.jukeboxalive.com/player/cal_customaudio.php?sid=246033_10&user=ancientfuture_members

From "Planet Passion." (Ancient-Future.Com AF-2001) CD, $17.98. Buy 1
Now:
http://www.ancient-future.com/mivaroot/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=OINF&Store_Code=AWMC&Action=ADPR&Product_Code=PPCD&Attributes=Yes&Quantity=1

================================================
Ama Foundation & Himalayan Designs Presents
An Evening at Swarga-Dwari (the Gates of Heaven)
August 23, 2007 ~ 5:00 � 8:30 p.m.
Himalayan Designs Garden
Auburn, CA
================================================

Saturday, August 23, 2007 ~ 5:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Swarga Dwari, Himalayan Designs Garden
1660 Old Airport Road, Auburn, CA 95602
Suggested donation: $40 per person or $60 per couple to Ama
Foundation.
RSVP by August 17, 2008 to 510.847.2889 info@ama-foundation.org
(If you make a last minute decision please come anyway)

Ancient Future Trio featuring

Matthew Montfort ~ scalloped fretboard guitar, glissentar
Mariah Parker ~ santur
Joe Fajen ~ tabla, percussion

About this Program:

This concert is a benefit performance for the Ama Foundation, which
provides a home for 39 impoverished children in Nepal. The program
will include material from the seven Ancient Future band recordings,
including Simsimay Panima (In the Falling Rain), a cyclical Nepali
song with an almost infinite number of verses. Traditionally, boys and
girls would take turns singing these verses, making them up as they
went along, and using them to tease one another in a flirtatious
manner, but in Ancient Future's version, the exchanges are
instrumental improvisations. This concert will also feature music from
two new recordings to be released this fall on the Ancient-Future.Com
label: "Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar" by Matthew
Montfort and "Sangria" by Mariah Parker.

This variation of Ancient Future performed at the Festival
Internacional de la Guitarra on the golden coast of Spain near
Barcelona (see photo above). Matthew Montfort will perform on
scalloped fretboard guitar and the Glissentar, an 11 string fretless
guitar that sounds much like an oud. He will be joined by Mariah
Parker on santur and Joe Fajen on tabla and percussion.

Related Media:

Simsimay Panima (Traditional. New arrangement and composition by
Matthew Montfort). From high in the Himalayas comes the call and
response of love�s first meeting in this Nepali folk song about
flirting from the "Planet Passion" recording.
audio:
http://www.jukeboxalive.com/player/cal_customaudio.php?sid=246033_1&user=ancientfuture_members

From "Planet Passion." (Ancient-Future.Com AF-2001) CD, $17.98. Buy 1
Now:
http://www.ancient-future.com/mivaroot/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=OINF&Store_Code=AWMC&Action=ADPR&Product_Code=PPCD&Attributes=Yes&Quantity=1

El Zaffa (Montfort). Original composition based on the Egyptian
wedding procession rhythm (elzaffa).
audio:
http://www.jukeboxalive.com/player/cal_customaudio.php?sid=246033_8&user=ancientfuture_members

From "Planet Passion." (Ancient-Future.Com AF-2001) CD, $17.98. Buy 1
Now:
http://www.ancient-future.com/mivaroot/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=OINF&Store_Code=AWMC&Action=ADPR&Product_Code=PPCD&Attributes=Yes&Quantity=1

Ancient Future - P.O. Box 264 - Kentfield - CA - 94914

Socha Socha by Ancient Future

Ancient Future — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 02:48:16 -0000

Guitar-Sitar Jugalbandi

Ancient Future — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 02:26:21 -0000

Ocean of Love

Ancient Future — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 19:27:16 -0000

El Zaffa

Ancient Future — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:09:30 -0000