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.

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 web site

"Leader 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

"One of world music's finest expressions."
Renee Gelpi, DIMENSIONS, Toronto

"With seamless fire and grace ... they storm through an electric dervish of music."
John Diliberto, JAZZIZ

"Shadowfax with teeth."
Michael Bloom, BOSTON ROCK

"Northern California's ... 'world fusion' band do more than simply throw together players and instruments from East and West. They rebuild at the sub-molecular level, puréeing the varied melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic idioms into tuneful ... compositions. Leader Matthew Montfort conjures lovely Asian zither-like inflections with a scalloped fretboard guitar."
GUITAR PLAYER

"The key to Ancient Future is its ability to present various styles of music in settings that are accessible but still exotically charming. The net result is an infectious sound that simultaneously entertains and challenges."
Edward Tywoniak, BAM

"Many artists have been running toward world music, trying to inject new life into their compositions. For most, it's a superficial exercise; but for Ancient Future, it's at the core of what this band has been doing since the late '70s. And the band traverses this fusion terrain with deft arrangements and beautifully wrought interplay."
John Diliberto, TOWER PULSE!

"The time has definitely come for world fusion music, as cultural confluence has reached epidemic proportions in all facets of life. Ancient Future is one step ahead of game; on their side is the philosophical parallel between global consonance and world peace." --
Philip Collins, SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL

"The band that defines "World Beat" music"--
Larry Morningstar, STATE OF JEFFERSON WEEKLY EVENTS CALENDAR

"Marvelous rhythmic patterns ... truly magnificent tonal balances ... the shifting dynamics,the fabric of the ensemble, the emergence, (then gradual disappearance) of melodic lines and the esprit de corps are MESMERIZING."
Philip Elwood, SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER