Matthew Montfort coined the term "world fusion music" and is the leader of the world fusion music ensemble Ancient Future. 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 has released two solo CDs: 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 , a curated "best of" site, along with such luminaries as Michael Hedges, Leo Kottke, Chet Atkins, John Fahey, Adrian Legg, Merle Travis, John Renbourn, Tommy Emmanuel, Doc Watson, Pierre Bensusan, Toni Rice, Alex De Grassi, Stefan Grossman, Artie Traum, Joni Mitchell, and Peppino D'Agostino. He is also known for his work on electric guitar, flamenco guitar, sitar, ukulele, 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. 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. Matthew Montfort has forty years of teaching experience. He has taught masterclasses at many universities and music camps, and was on the faculty of Blue Bear School of Music in San Francisco for over two decades. Some of his students have gone on to promising music careers.
It is my life's work.
I coined the term "world fusion music" in the late 1970's to describe music that combines ideas from different world music traditions. My band Ancient Future is the first and longest running musical organization dedicated exclusively to the mission of creating world fusion music. Billboard calls the group "trendsetters" for our early contributions to the movement, which seeks to show how people from different cultures can grow by learning from each other. World fusion is more of a process than a genre. It is a process by which new traditions are created, and has been going on 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. But current times offer the opportunity for musicians to learn music from anywhere on earth. It is my mission to explore this new sonic territory while shining a light on the ancient musical knowledge of the world.
I have great concerns about the level of tribalism and polarization in the world today. The purpose of world fusion music is to show how ideas from different cultures can work together. I feel the world needs world fusion music now more than ever, but unfortunately social media tools, politicians, and computer algorithms tend to amplify polarization. It gotten harder, not easier as was predicted by social media sites, to get out a message that crosses cultural boundaries. And because of the polarization, people are afraid of the "other." I want to change this.
My older brother was a professional folk musician, and would sing Pete Seeger tunes to me in my crib. He is the reason I play guitar, as I was fascinated by the instrument early on. My father was a Francophile and taught me to sing Frère Jacques. I performed it at his memorial service on scalloped fretboard guitar, but I changed it to a minor key.
There are just too many to mention, because I play all types of music.
I went into music to save the world. When I was growing up in Boulder, Colorado, music was very important in people's lives and really did seem to be making a difference socially. Unfortunately, during the course of my career, the value of music and therefor its ability to affect change has decreased. I still hope to make some difference on the future of humanity through music, but now instead of concentrating on saving the world, I'm trying to save music so that it will again have the power to affect change.
Please be open to dialog with people from different cultures.
I'm very happy when I feel I am reaching people.
The tech industry has destroyed the music industry, and they need to start supporting musicians financially. And they need to support all great artists in all traditions, not just the very few mega pop stars. I'm on the Executive Board of the Content Creators Coalition, which is working to change laws so that musicians get paid for their work in the digital age.
Not sure yet.
Cuts in budgets for arts support and music in schools.
I go to concerts of master musicians.
This is the wrong question. The real question is how can society better support musicians so that a larger audience hears the truly great master musicians of our time.
All of the musicians I work with are awesome artists. But hopefully you have heard of them. If not, visit ancient-future.com and check out the master musicians from around the world!