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| Matthew Montfort
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As leader of the world music group Ancient Future, Matthew Montfort has devoted himself to the scalloped fretboard guitar since 1978. He spent years of study with some of the world's best musicians, such as gamelan director K.R.T. Wasitodipuro, North Indian sarod master Ali Akbar Khan, and vina master K.S. Subramanian, with whom he did an intensive study of South Indian note-bending techniques. He has performed concerts worldwide, from the Festival Internacional de la Guitarra on the golden coast of Spain to the Festival of India in Mumbai. He has worked with many world music legends, including tabla phenomenon Zakir Hussain and Chinese zither master Zhao Hui. Montfort wrote the book “Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India,” which has been used by many musicians to improve their rhythm skills. "Matthew Montfort conjures lovely Asian zither-like inflections with a scalloped fretboard guitar."– GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE "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 singer, punk rock icon and spoken word artist
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World Music Workshop by Ancient Future Leader Matthew Montfort at Esalen New Year's Day 2010 Event Date: 01/01/2010 08:00 PM Weekend of January 1-3, 2010 5 Two Hour Sessions Starts at 8:30 pm on 1/1/2010 and ends at 11:30 am 1/3/2010 1/1/2010 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm 1/2/2010 10:00 am to 10:00 pm (Three sessions with breaks. Enjoy the baths!) 1/3/2010 9:30 am to 11:30 pm World Music Workshop by Ancient Future Leader Matthew Montfort Got Rhythm? Develop Your Inner Rhythm by Studying World Music  Esalen Institute 55000 Highway One Big Sur, CA 93920 Cost: Workshop alone: Regular Rate- $385. Friends of Esalen Rate- $335. With Bunk Bed Room: Regular Rate- $530. Friends of Esalen Rate- $480. With standard accommodations: Regular Rate-$670. Friends of Esalen Rate- $620. Standard accommodations are shared housing with two or three persons per room. Contact Esalen for other options. Visit www.esalen.org for more info. Reservations: 831-667-3005 Mail In Registration Form: http://www.esalen.org/assetts/forms/EsalenReservationForm.pdf Online Registration: https://www.esalen.org/commerce/reservations.lasso Fax: 831-667-2724 Email: info@esalen.org This workshop beginning on the first day of 2010 is a great way to start the new year with improved timing skills. Matthew Montfort is the author of Ancient Traditions -- Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali and India (Mill Valley, 1985: Panoramic Press. ISBN 0-937879-00-2). The book, which is the basis for this world music workshop, received rave reviews in publications such as GUITAR PLAYER, ELECTRONIC MUSICIAN, DRUMS AND DRUMMING, and the SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE. 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. The workshop is presented in an easy to follow, entertaining yet educational format for all music lovers. African polyrhythms, Balinese kotèkan and Indian classical music were chosen as the source material for the training because these three traditions in combination cover the major types of rhythmic organization used in most of the world's music. Not just for musicians and percussionists, this training can help anyone with a desire to improve their rhythmic skills. Melodic aspects of the traditions will also be explored through vocal chanting and ensemble performance in a supportive setting. The workshop is open to all levels, and no musical background is required. Very simple to play percussion instruments will be provided, and participants are free to bring any percussive or melodic instruments they enjoy playing. ABOUT MATTHEW MONTFORT Matthew Montfort holds a B.A. in World Music and Composition and an M.A. in Arts and Media Technology from Antioch University. He is the 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. His debut solo CD, ‘Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar’ was released in 2009 to rave reviews on Ancient-Future.Com Records with national distribution through ADA/Ryko/WEA. He has performed concerts world wide, including at the Festival Internacional de la Guitarra on the golden coast of Spain near Barcelona. QUOTES "You've heard Afro-Pop, sitar, gamelan and world music for years. But do you know what they are and how they work? Better yet, would you like to play those twisted cross-rhythms and melodies? In Ancient Traditions--Future Possibilities, Matthew Montfort, a founding member of the world music band Ancient Future, has put together the book for people who want to dig into world music with both hands. The first section of the book covers traditional music of West Africa, Bali and India with theories and exercises. Wherever possible, Montfort has provided beat counts alongside the standard musical notation so even if you can't read music, you can still learn the rhythms.The last section of the book mixes patterns from different cultures, demonstrating the powerful music these simple exercises can generate." -- Richard Kadrey, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE. "A hands-on exploration of Balinese, African, and Indian rhythms that should appeal to all musicians. One needn't play percussion instruments, or any instruments at all, for that matter, to use and benefit from the book." -- DRUMS AND DRUMMING "A very practical manual. There is enough material to keep interested musicians busy for years. Montfort has done a great service for western musicians interested in world music. A pleasure to work with." -- OPTION "Very highly recommended for any instrumentalists hoping to expand their rhythmic horizons. If you've never investigated the beautiful clash of African polyrhythm, the incredible interlocking textures of Balinese music, or the complex metric structure of Indian classical music, check out Ancient Traditions--it will blow your mind and deepen your groove." -- GUITAR PLAYER "If you're tired of programming your drum machine with the same old 4/4 back-beat, or you want to sharpen your rhythmic chops, this book is highly recommended." -- ELECTRONIC MUSICIAN "An excellent book for use in percussion technique sessions or other classroom situations. The descriptive material is lucidly written and is aimed at a novice." -- PERCUSSIVE NOTES “A giant, a leader, a bound-and-determined self described fanatic for world music.” – NEW COLORADO “Matthew Montfort conjures lovely Asian zither-like inflections with a scalloped fretboard guitar.” – GUITAR PLAYER MAGAZINE “A true guitar wizard.” – Jello Biafra, ALTERNATIVE TENTACLES RECORDS “The most beautiful, soulful guitar I have ever heard!!”– Chandi Devi, Editor-in-Chief, Karmacaffe.com “Master of the scalloped fretboard guitar.” – J. Poet, EAST BAY EXPRESS “Matthew Montfort is an American Ravi Shankar on guitar.”– Pandit Habib Khan, sitarist “Matthew Montfort's synthesis of styles and sounds isn't superficial -- he plucks the essential musicality of several traditions without discounting them. Beautiful world fusion music.” – Roger Carlberg, ELECTRONIC MUSICIAN “Montfort’s newest album, Seven Serenades, is remarkably similar to a classical Hindustani improvised performance. There are brief guest spots featuring supportive background performances of didjeridu, santur, and violin, but most tracks are single note melodies on guitar, accompanied by nothing but an unobtrusive drone. Because Montfort’s guitar has a scalloped fretboard, his fingers touch only the strings, enabling him to produce ornaments more characteristic of the sitar. This album reveals a thorough knowledge of Hindustani microtonal ornaments, transferred in ways that create one of the most distinctive guitar sounds in contemporary music. However, it also reveals a lifetime of exploration in world music, which can be immediately summoned in a flash of inspiration. When this level of mastery is reached, there is no need to rewrite. The first improvisation has the depth of a reworked composition.” – Teed Rockwell, INDIA CURRENTS, March 2009 "This longtime world music/fusion guitarist offers a solo and lightly-backed recording for acoustic "scalloped fretboard" guitar, and however that may differ from a regular guitar, he plays it just beautifully, at times hypnotically, and makes it sound like some sort of sitar hybrid on a "modern raga," a "Celtic raga," and even a "purple" one based on Jimi Hendrix's music. With even the dreaded didj blending in tastefully, this is a very fine set, meditative and rhythmic all at once."--Steve Heilig, THE BEAT "Matthew’s playing is always impeccable, filled with subtle emotion and even wanderlust. I don't know of anyone who plays quite like Matthew. His mastery of the scalloped fretboard guitar seems unequaled. For a richly rewarding journey into the magic of acoustic world fusion music, look no farther than 'Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar.'"--Steve Ryals, FRESH TRACKS "Leader of the world-music band Ancient Future since 1978, Matthew Montfort has adapted many string instrument styles – from sitar to zither – to his guitar. His special scalloped fretboard allows him to tweak the strings in unique ways, but his virtuosity is a lot more than technical."--David Rubien, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE "It isn't every day that acoustic guitarists make their instrument sound a lot like an Indian sitar, but that is exactly what Matthew Montfort accomplishes on the instrumental 'Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar.' Through it all, Montfort demonstrates that even though he has considerable chops and technical prowess, he is much more interested in feeling and expression than technique. This 56-minute CD is an adventurous, consistently engaging demonstration of what Montfort can accomplish on the scalloped fretboard guitar."--Alex Henderson, ALL MUSIC GUIDE "Though he plays guitar, Montfort's music isn't merely guitar music; it's a sonic environment that features a guitar. Strong Indian and Balinese influences permeate these seven exotic soundscapes. Beautifully recorded, this sumptuous music creates a unique wall of sound that you won't soon forget."--Steven Stone, VINTAGE GUITAR MAGAZINE |
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