Matthew Montfort , Ancient Traditions

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, vina master K.S. Subramanian, and gamelan director K.R.T. Wasitodipuro. 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. He is also known for his work on sitar, charango, mandolin, and gamelan, and as Ancient Future's main composer. Montfort wrote the book Ancient Traditions -- Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India because he found it difficult to find musicians who could perform his music due to a lack of rhythm skills. He drew from his years of study of many world music traditions to create a training method based on the rhythms of Africa, Bali, and India. Many consider the method to be one of his greatest achievements.