World Fusion Music and World Traditions

BILLBOARD calls the group "trendsetters " for contributing to the emerging movement known as world fusion music, a term Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort coined at the band’s inception for music that blends musical ideas from many different cultures.¹ Formed in 1978, Ancient Future is the world's first and longest running ensemble dedicated exclusively to the mission of the creation of world fusion music.

Their original music is an exhilarating fusion of exciting rhythms and sounds from around the globe that combines contemporary jazz and rock with the irresistible rhythms of African, Balinese, Indian, Middle Eastern and South American percussion, the rich harmonies of Europe, and the beautiful melodies of Asia.

The original American members of Ancient Future looked beyond their roots for inspiration by studying with the master musicians of many world music traditions, from Balinese gamelan director Madé Gerindem to North Indian sarod master Ali Akbar Khan. They use their knowledge of world music to create something new and uniquely their own that is respected by pundits from the cultures whose traditions are a part of the mix. According to INDIA CURRENTS, Ancient Future "plays with technical brilliance and gypsy-like fire," and their music "demonstrates the continuing beneficial influence of Indian music upon world culture."

Over the years, Ancient Future has expanded its musical vision through collaborations with noted masters of various world music traditions who are now an integral part of what is today more than just a band. Ancient Future has grown to become a large chamber ensemble of 28 performers from around the world with over a dozen smaller ensembles within it, enabling Ancient Future to realize its core mission of creating world fusion music.

Through cross cultural exchange and collaboration, Ancient Future has created a rich musical world of tradition and innovation. In addition to their original music based on world traditions, the many ensemble variations also perform traditional music from the cultures of the individual master musicians who perform with the band. This provides an educational experience for the audience that excites people about world traditions and then shows how those traditions can make contemporary culture richer.

Ancient Future Configurations

• Planet Jammin' Series: Some of the many world traditions and world fusion music programs available
• Biographies (solo through septet programs are available from configurations of these 28 performers)
• Also see the Electronic Promo Kit for audio, video, and information in English and Spanish about world traditions and world fusion music programs

In Concert

The various configurations of Ancient Future have performed over a thousand shows worldwide, headlining such venues as Carnegie Recital Hall (New York City), Great American Music Hall (San Francisco), Hult Center for the Performing Arts (Eugene), Yoshi's (Oakland), Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, Sangeetha Indian Music Concert Series (St. Louis), Santa Barbara Museum of Art, It's Yoga (San Francisco), and even a night club called Atlantis in Beirut, Lebanon, with a Piranha tank in the middle of the dance floor and a bar that doubles as an aquarium. They have appeared at every type of imaginable festival including the Festival Internacional de la Guitarra (on the golden coast of Spain near Barcelona), Asian/Pacific Festival of Fortune, Northwest Regional Folklife Festival, Oregon Country Fair, Sand Harbor Jazz Festival, On the Waterfront, California WorldFest, Monterey World One, Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival, and the Summer of Love 30th Anniversary in Golden Gate Park. They have pumped up dance crowds at techno/DJ events such as the Groove Garden and Harmony Festival's Techno Tribal Dance with their 100% organic loop-free dance music.

This group of virtuoso instrumentalists is known for stunningly rhythmic live shows that simultaneously feature the subtle, intricate, and elegant melodic aspects of world music that Ancient Future has received such acclaim for on its recordings. Because of their many influences and ensemble variations, there is a configuration of Ancient Future perfect for any bill, be it rock, jazz, folk, classical or world music. Ancient Future has repertoire for every activity, from dancing to serious listening. The group has shared bills with other leading artists including Tower of Power, Woodstock's Country Joe McDonald, Jefferson Starship's Craig Chaquico, Los Lobos, Zakir Hussain, Sukay, San Jose Taiko, Kitka, Acoustic Alchemy, Tania Maria, Shadowfax, Alex De Grassi, Ottmar Liebert, and John Fahey, and even nonmusical attractions such as the Incredible Acrobats of China.

¹Stephen Hill, Guide to C.T.I.S. Music, (San Francisco: Hearts of Space Press, 1981), 36.