Chinese Music Duet
Chinese Music Duet
This duet performs entertaining, yet educational, programs showing both the traditional music of China and the many possibilities for integrating this ancient knowledge into contemporary culture. Zhao Hui began her studies of the gu zheng (a Chinese zither that is the ancestor to the Japanese koto) at the age of six, and won first place in China's National Classical Instrumentalist Contest. She is joined by Matthew Montfort, who shows how the scalloped fretboard guitar is capable of performing traditional Chinese music due to its modifications allowing for advanced note ornamentation. This program includes both Chinese classical music and contemporary compositions.
Similar educational programs covering other world music traditions are available.
Biographies
Zhao Hui was born in 1962 in Beijing, China, into a family of famous classical Chinese musicians. She began her studies of the gu zheng (a Chinese zither that is the ancestor to the Japanese koto) at the age of six. In 1982 she won first place in China's National Classical Instrumentalist Contest. She graduated from the highest music conservatory in China in 1985. Since then she served as the top gu zheng soloist for Beijing's China Opera and Dance Drama House and was sent by the Chinese government to perform in Japan, Singapore, West Germany and Paris. As a recording artist for Beijing Television Productions, she has made solo gu zheng recordings, including many of her own compositions. Her video recordings are still shown daily on television in Beijing.
Matthew Montfort is the leader of the world fusion music ensemble Ancient Future. An award-winning guitarist (Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, Colorado Outstanding Young Guitarist Award), he is 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 is also known for his work on electric guitar, flamenco guitar, sitar, charango, mandolin, and gamelan, and as Ancient Future's main composer.
Matthew Montfort holds a B.A. in World Music and Composition and an M.A. in Arts and Media Technology from Antioch University. He has studied with the master musicians of many world music traditions, including sarangi master Ram Narayan, sarod master Ali Akbar Khan, mridangam master Guruvayoor Dorai, and gamelan director K.R.T. Wasitodipuro. He has recorded with legendary world music figures ranging from Bolivian panpipe master Gonzalo Vargas to tabla maestros Swapan Chaudhuri and Zakir Hussain. He has performed concerts world wide, including at the Festival Internacional de la Guitarra on the golden coast of Spain near Barcelona and the Mumbai Festival at the Gateway of India in Bombay. He has performed live on national radio and TV shows such as the Echoes Living Room Concerts on Public Radio International, and the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC.
Matthew Montfort is on the faculty of Blue Bear School of Music in San Francisco, where he teaches music theory, all styles of guitar as well as rhythm classes based on his book on the rhythmic traditions of Africa, Bali, and India. He also teaches at his studio in San Rafael, California. Some of his students have gone on to promising music careers.
Featured Sound Files
The Dusk Song of the Fisherman (Traditional. 5:59). iTunes. Dating from the Ching dynasty (1644-1912), this piece describes the fishermen returning to the harbor at dusk, singing a happy song. FREE MP3 (excerpt) 647K. >audio. (0:41). From Asian Fusion (Narada Equinox ND-63023) CD- $24.98 (out of print: collectable signed reconditioned copy): Add 1 to Cart. Buy 1 Now.
Bookenka (The Adventurer) (Doug McKeehan. 5:18). iTunes. >audio (0:34). This contemporary jazz radio hit combines a Japanese mode with elements of jazz. From Asian Fusion (Narada Equinox ND-63023) CD- $24.98 (out of print: collectable signed reconditioned copy): Add 1 to Cart. Buy 1 Now.
Related Programs
Asian Fusion: This program features Ancient Future's Asian music masters with a monster rhythm section, and was selected by Putumayo Records as the featured ensemble for the CD release party for Asian Lounge.
Asian Jazz: Ancient Future’s Asian jazz program features performers such as Liu Qi-Chao, who has amazed the ears of jazz audiences around the world through his collaborations with Chinese American jazz pianist/composer Jon Jang and flautist James Newton.
Contact Info
Ancient Future, POB 264, Kentfield, CA 94914. Tel: 415-459-1892. Toll free in USA and Canada: 1-888-823-8887. info@ancient-future.com
Booking: Additional booking information, or use the contact information above.
Catalog: Listen to the CDs and use the secure online shopping cart system to purchase music.
Concerts: Current list of shows online.
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