Matthew Montfort

Matthew Montfort leads the world fusion music ensemble Ancient Future and is a pioneer of the scalloped fretboard guitar (an instrument combining qualities of the South Indian vina and the steel string guitar). In 2012, he was added to the 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists list at DigitalDreamDoor.com, joining luminaries such as Michael Hedges, Leo Kottke, Adrian Legg, Merle Travis, Tommy Emmanuel, and Pierre Bensusan. He is also known for his work on Glissentar fretless guitar, electric guitar, flamenco guitar, bass, sitar, charango, mandolin, and gamelan. He holds a B.A. in World Music and Composition and an M.A. in Arts and Media Technology from Antioch University, and has studied with the master musicians of many world music traditions, including 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 maestro Zakir Hussain, and performed world wide, including Spain's Festival Internacional de la Guitarra, India's Mumbai Festival, and San Francisco's Music for People and Thingamajigs Festival, from which a segment was broadcast on the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC along with an interview about his work. He wrote the book 'Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India,' which is used by many musicians to improve their rhythm skills.