USA: Dave Rempis, Brandon Lopez, Ryan Packard - The Early Bird Gets (Aerophonic Records 2019)

The Early Bird Gets is the debut album by this working trio, comprised of journeyman Chicago saxophonist Dave Rempis alongside two of the brightest talents in a younger generation of improvising musicians. Bassist Brandon Lopez is a musician whose virtuosity knows no bounds, currently one of the most in-demand bassists on the New York jazz and improvised music scene. Percussionist Ryan Packard counters that depth with his own breadth of interests, working in contemporary classical ensembles, indie rock bands, and jazz groups alike around Chicago, not to mention his doubling abilities on electronics. These two together provide a formidable rhythm section that can veer from hard-driving grooves to luscious soundscapes with total ease. As a trio, these three have put forth a work that may be the “jazziest” project any of them are involved with; a result that even the band members found surprising. But after honing their sound through live gigs in 2017 and early 2018, it became apparent that their free-improvised conversation kept returning to a similar destination: a three-way exploration of rhythm and tempo that left them working solidly within the jazz tradition. Not the one fixed into predictable sylistic corners, but the one defined by a spirit of boundless curiosity and exploration. A tradition they stretched back and forth like so much taffy. The way these three unite into a groove is truly remarkable. Not as something to be closely adhered to, but as something to turn upside down, inside out, and ass backwards, as they expose every last facet of it. At times this means slowing it down, speeding it up, or splitting those two approaches up amongst the band simultaneously. At other times it means jumping to another dimension on the turn of a dime. And while that methodology may feel counterintuitive to the end result, it’s not. The feel of this record is a classic one that has an inherent life and energy to it that dates back to the beginnings of jazz as an art form. It swings.

Review by Mark Corroto 
allaboutjazz.com
February 16, 2019

USA; WHITNEY MARCHELLE & FRIENDS Honoring Woman in Jazz Wednesday, March 27th 7:00-10:00 PM @ Jazz973 Clements Place Rutgers NJ

WHITNEY MARCHELLE & FRIENDS Honoring Woman in Jazz Wednesday, March 27th 7:00-10:00 pm Jazz973 Clements Place 15 Washington St Rutgers NJ 07102  Performers: Whitney Marchelle Jackson - Vocals/piano, James Gibbs - Trumpet, Lakecia Benjamin-Sax, Shamie Royston - Piano, Endea Owens - Bass, Shirazette Tinnin - Drums No Cover and Complimentary Refreshments

We will be honoring Woman in Jazz. About Artist Whitney Marchelle - Returning artist - Award Winner. BET, Tonight Show.Worked with: Quincy Jones,Herbie Hancock, Steve Turre, Dee Dee Bridge Denver, Frank Lacy. Opened for Kiss, Bill Withers, Fat Head Newman. Style: Bebop, Soul. American Jazz Standards. Music of :Sarah Vaughn, Jill Scott, Ella,Nancy Wilson, Billie, Irene Reid, Chaka, Hoarce Silver. Jazz Times - "Formidable vocalist, a swinger of immense energy" Plays some piano, Jazz Casttanets. Sold Out shows.Cd DigDis :Features Camile Thurman, Clark Terry,Frank Lacy,Patience Higgins, Sabu Adeoyla, Terreon Gulley & More.   James Gibbs: Newark Native. Trumpet. Performed with Dr. Betty Carter,Wynton Marsalis, TS Monk, Cyrus Chestnut, Joe Thomas & More. Lakecia Benjamin: Native New Yorker. Sax.Performed with: Clark Terry Stevie Wonder,Alicia Keys, Roots. Shamie Royston: Newark Resident: Piano. Performed with Terri Lynn Carrington, Tia Fuller, Christian Mc Bride  Endea Owens: Detroit Native.Bass. Julliard Grad. Performed with: Dee Dee Bridgewater,Wynton Marsalis,Steve Turre, ennifer Holiday.  Shirazette Tinnin: North Carolina Native. Was House Drummer for the Merdith Vieria Talk Show.Swings hard with African Rythms. Works with Camile Thurman.Alan Harris, Tia Fuller.    www.whitneymarchelle.com

ITALY:Massimo Discepoli- The right place on the wrong map (2019)

Crepuscular and dreamy atmospheres, large spaces, sparse melodies and drums that at times are textural and sometimes tells the story: these are some of the characteristics of "The Right Place on the Wrong Map", the new album by Massimo Discepoli, released four years after his previous album "Parallax". In these seven tracks the Italian drummer and composer continues his path of experimentation and research between electronic sounds and the pure acoustic sound of the drums, with suggestions ranging from post-rock to ambient, from jazz improvisation to minimalism, always with the desire to tell "abstract stories" characterized by atmospheres that continually oscillate between light and darkness, at the same time transporting the listener to imaginary and suggestive landscapes.


PRESS


"The Right Place… is an abstract and polyphonic ride into a heady cloud of improvised jazz, percussive phraseology, and galactic vistas. As a taster for the album, it promises much and demonstrates Discepoli‘s mastery of musical juxtaposition. Beautifully resonant and texturally shifting, The Right Place on the Wrong Map is a profound and ethereal trip into a twilight world of imaginary landscapes." Getintothis

credits

released January 8, 2019

Massimo Discepoli: drums, electronics, bass guitar, piano, synths
Composed, performed and produced by Massimo Discepoli
Recorded, mixed and mastered at Acustronica

FINLAND: Jukka Eskola Soul Trio-Tiny B (2019)

With one of the hippest jazz albums of recent years under their belt, Jukka Eskola Soul Trio is back with a fresh new single. It's truly a double-sider of the highest order, as both of the tracks deliver a completely distinct flavor. "Tiny B" on the A side is a neat bossa jazz number, and as usual in top of the genre, the lightness serves only as a facade.

 The composition starts to evolve before the listener gets too comfortable, transitioning into a beautiful cinematic section, which is followed by tight solos by Eskola on trumpet and Mikko Helevä on organ. The trio rises beyond its numbers, as the maestro Teppo Mäkynen overdubs his drumming with added percussion and vibes. Hiding on the B side is a furious jazz dance burner, which sees the trio rise to energy levels that surpass even Five Corners Quintet in their tightest form. "Stick of a Branch" is highly syncopated business that takes its cues from a sound refined by 1970's independent afrocentric jazz groups.

 It's a style, which is inherently modernist, without a slightest interest in mass appeal, and firmly rooted in the blues. If you need some no nonsense organic jazz on your turntable, it's hard to go wrong with this single. credits released February 15, 2019

USA: Dafnis Prieto Big Band- Back to the Sunset (2018)

Inspired to make his biggest statement yet, Cuban-born drummer, composer, bandleader, and 2011 MacArthur “Genius” Fellow Dafnis Prieto is thrilled to release the Dafnis Prieto Big Band’s (DPBB) debut album, "Back to the Sunset," on Friday, April 6, 2018 on Prieto’s independent music label, Dafnison Music, celebrating ten years as a record label in April 2018. On this project Prieto collaborated with GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY-winning producer Eric Oberstein, heralded for his work producing large ensemble recordings. The DPBB made its world premiere over three exhilarating nights, August 25-27, 2017, at New York’s Jazz Standard. Immediately following the premiere, the DPBB recorded at Systems Two Recording Studios in Brooklyn August 28-29, 2017, joined by special guests Henry Threadgill, Steve Coleman, and Brian Lynch. 

 One of the leading musical voices of his generation, Prieto composed and arranged nine works for the album, showcasing his talents as a trailblazing composer while honoring his musical heroes and mentors including Eddie Palmieri, Chico O'Farrill, Bebo Valdés, Jane Bunnett, and Michel Camilo (in addition to Threadgill, Coleman, and Lynch, among others). "Back to the Sunset" is Prieto’s seventh recording as a leader, and is a deeply personal, handcrafted statement, as well as an acknowledgment of the musical figures that shaped his development. Prieto writes, “The undercurrent of this album is to pay tribute to some significant mentors/musicians that have influenced and inspired me one way or another, directly or indirectly. This is a journey in time, looking back and remembering the way up to now, with gratitude and joy. 'Back to the Sunset' is a state of mind, a place for contemplation and love.” “It’s been a joy to collaborate with Dafnis Prieto on this ambitious project,” writes Oberstein. “This new ensemble is a powerful vehicle for Dafnis’ expansive ideas as a composer.

 In this record, you’ll hear his native Cuba and the influences he’s absorbed since immigrating to the United States 18 years ago, but also a collection of works that are distinctly his own, with a full palette of sounds and colors on display.” Since arriving in the U.S. from Cuba in 1999, Prieto has been fearless in his vision, playing and writing across styles, always with a forward-looking instinct. He is known for his inventive, sensitive drumming and propulsive rhythm. His compositions mix lush and jubilant melodies with polyrhythm, displaying a range of musical vocabularies from Latin jazz to classical chamber music. In over two decades as a professional musician, Prieto has composed for numerous configurations, including big band, amassing a catalog of more than 50 original works. Prieto is committed to maintaining a bold vision for his music. 

The 17-piece DPBB showcases some of the world’s best Latin jazz musicians, many of whom have previously played Prieto’s music in his other bands. The ensemble features three horn sections (saxophones, trumpets, and trombones) and a rhythm section of piano, bass, congas, and Prieto on drums. The DPBB strives to make an impact as a leading Latin jazz big band recording and performing for years to come, and to provide a platform for Prieto to write for big band, a format he fell in love with as a child.

USA, CA: PRESS RELEASE: Free Concert Series at Sonoma County Libraries 3/9, 3/30, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, and 5/11

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2/25/2019 
Contact: Ancient-Future.Com Records
1-415-459-1892
info@ancient-future.com 

View Press Release Online with Photos and Video:
http://ancient-future.com/pr_3_9_19-5_11_19.html

Free Educational Library Concert Series

Hi-Res Photo of Matthew Montfort and Vishal Nagar at Recording Session by Michael Braden (858k):

Duets and Trios Featuring World Guitar Pioneer Matthew Montfort 
With Master Musicians Teja Gerken (Fingerstyle Guitar), Doug McKeehan (keys), Ian Dogole (Global Percussion), Antoine Lammam (Arabic Percussion), Shenshen Zhang (Pipa), and Vishal Nagar (Tabla)

Ancient Future bandleader and scalloped fretboard guitar pioneer will be joined by master musicians from many traditions for this series of hour long free concerts at libraries in Sonoma County. Each show will feature different material from recordings by Matthew Montfort, Ancient Future, and the master musicians he is performing with.

Saturday, March 9, 3 PM, Global Guitar Summit with Matthew Montfort and Teja Gerken (fingerstyle guitar), Guerneville Regional Library, 14107 Armstrong Woods Rd., Guerneville, CA 95446. Free. Info: 707-869-9004 or visit visit sonomalibrary.org.

Saturday, March 30, 2 PM, Ancient Future World Without Walls Trio with Matthew Montfort, Doug McKeehan (keys), and Ian Dogole (percussion), Northwest Santa Rosa Library, 150 Coddingtown Center, Santa Rosa, CA 95401. Free. Info: 707-546-2265 or visit sonomalibrary.org. 

Saturday, April 20, 2 PM, Ancient Future Guitar and Arabic Percussion Duet with Matthew Montfort and Antoine Lammam (Arabic percussion), Central Santa Rosa Library, 211 E Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95404. Free. Info: 707-308-3020 or visit sonomalibrary.org.

Saturday, April 27, 2 PM, Ancient Future Guitar and Pipa Duet with Matthew Montfort and Shenshen Zhang (pipa), Sonoma Valley Regional Library, 755 West Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476. Free. Info: 707-996-5217 or visit sonomalibrary.org.

Saturday, May 4, 2 PM, Ancient Future Guitar and Tabla Duet with Matthew Montfort and Vishal Nagar (tabla), Rohnert Park-Cotati Library, 6250 Lynne Conde Way, Rohnert Park Expressway / State Farm Drive, Rohnert Park, CA 94928. Free. Info: 707-584-9121 or visit sonomalibrary.org. 

Saturday, May 11, 2 PM, Ancient Future World Without Walls Trio with Matthew Montfort, Doug McKeehan (keys), and Ian Dogole (percussion), Healdsburg Regional Library, 139 Piper Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448. Free. Info: 707-433-3772 or visit sonomalibrary.org. 

133 Word Radio Announcment for Library Concert Series

Scalloped fretboard guitar pioneer Matthew Montfort and friends will perform the following free concert programs at Sonoma County libraries: March 9 at 3 PM, Global Guitar Summit with Teja Gerken at the Guerneville Regional Library; March 30 at 2 PM, Ancient Future World Without Walls Trio with Doug McKeehan on keys and Ian Dogole on percussion at the Northwest Santa Rosa Library; April 20 at 2 PM, Guitar and Arabic Percussion Duet with Antoine Lammam at the Central Santa Rosa Library; April 27 at 2 PM, Guitar and Pipa Duet with Shenshen Zhang at the Sonoma Valley Regional Library; May 4 at 2 PM, Guitar and Tabla Duet with Vishal Nagar at the Rohnert Park-Cotati Library; and May 11 at 2 PM, Ancient Future World Without Walls Trio at the Healdsburg Regional Library.

48 Word Radio Announcement for Global Guitar Summit March 9

Scalloped fretboard guitar pioneer Matthew Montfort and fingerstyle guitarist Teja Gerken will perform their Global Guitar Summit  program March 9 at 3 PM at the Guerneville Regional Library, located at 14107 Armstrong Woods Rd. This hour long concert is free to the public. For more information call 707-869-9004. 

57 Word Radio Announcement for 'World Without Walls' Trio March 30

Scalloped fretboard guitarist Matthew Montfort, keyboardist Doug McKeehan, and global percussionist Ian Dogole will perform a program celebrating the band Ancient Future’s classic ‘World Without Walls’ release March 30 at 2 PM at the Northwest Santa Rosa Library, located at 150 Coddingtown Center.  This hour long concert is free to the public. For more information call 707-546-2265. 

44 Word Radio Announcement for Guitar and Arabic Percussion Duet April 20

Scalloped fretboard guitar pioneer Matthew Montfort and Arabic percussion master Antoine Lammam will perform April 20 at 2 PM at the Central Santa Rosa Library, located at 211 E Street.  This hour long concert is free to the public. For more information call 707-308-3020. 

50 Word Radio Announcement for Guitar and Chinese Pipa Duet April 27

Scalloped fretboard guitar pioneer Matthew Montfort and Chinese pipa master Shenshen Zhang will perform April 27 at 2 PM at the Sonoma Valley Regional Library, located at 755 West Napa Street in the town of Sonoma. This hour long concert is free to the public. For more information call 707-996-5217.

47 Word Radio Announcement for Guitar and Indian Tabla Duet May 4

Scalloped fretboard guitar pioneer Matthew Montfort and Indian tabla master  Vishal Nagar will perform May 4 at 2 PM at the Rohnert Park-Cotati Library, located at 6250 Lynne Conde Way in Rohnert Park. This hour long concert is free to the public. For more information call 707-584-9121. 

57 Word Radio Announcement for 'World Without Walls' Trio May 11

Scalloped fretboard guitarist Matthew Montfort, keyboardist Doug McKeehan, and global percussionist Ian Dogole will perform a program celebrating the band Ancient Future’s classic ‘World Without Walls’ release on May 11 at 2 PM at the Healdsburg Regional Library, located at 139 Piper Street. This hour long concert is free to the public. For more information call 707-433-3772. 

Videos

'Soul Serenade' by Matthew Montfort
Video of Matthew Montfort Performing Solo Scalloped Fretboard Guitar:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLfKTbpgO1Q

'Bookenka' by Doug McKeehan of Ancient Future
Video of Ancient Future Performing Bookenka at 'World Without Walls' Reunion:
http://youtu.be/IlYfQ50MGDw

Matthew Montfort and Shenshen Zhang
Video of the very first notes that Matthew Montfort and Shenshen Zhang played together the night they met on stage:
http://ethnocloud.com/Ancient_Future/?y_video=2144&b=942

'Yearning for the Wind' by Ancient Future
Video of Matthew Montfort and Vishal Nagar:
https://ethnocloud.com/Ancient_Future/?y_video=2381&b=942

Performers

Matthew Montfort (scalloped fretboard guitar)

Hi-Res Photo of Matthew Montfort by Julie Marten (2 MB):

The leader of the world music group Ancient Future, Matthew Montfort, released his first solo recording, Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar, in 2009. He is a pioneer among guitarists who have had their fretboards scalloped in order to play various forms of world music that require intricate note-bending ornaments while still being able to play chords. Montfort immersed himself in an 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 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, Merle Travis, John Renbourn, Tommy Emmanuel, Doc Watson, Pierre Bensusan, Alex De Grassi, and Peppino D'Agostino. The December 2009 Les Paul issue of Guitar Player Magazine includes a full page feature on Matthew Montfort with a corresponding GuitarPlayer.Com video and lesson entitled “The Music of Jimi Hendrix Applied to Indian Raga.” He has performed concerts worldwide, from the Festival Internacional de la Guitarra on the golden coast of Spain to the Festival of India in Mumbai. 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. He has worked with many world music legends, including tabla phenomenon Zakir Hussain and Chinese zither master Zhao Hui. 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.

Teja Gerken (fingerstyle guitar)

Hi-Res Photo of Teja Gerken (2.9 MB):
http://www.ancient-future.com/images/tejagerken300dpi4x6.jpg

German-born Teja Gerken is a contemporary steel-string fingerstyle guitarist whose playing merges the styles of European guitar pioneers such as John Renbourn and Pierre Bensusan with the distinct sounds of American players such as Leo Kottke and Micheal Hedges. Known for his original compositions, many of which employ alternate tunings, two-handed tapping, percussive effects, and other extended guitar techniques, Teja will also bring Celtic, jazz, and classical styles to the Global Guitar Summit.

"Releasing his second CD, Postcards, is San Francisco area fingerstyle guitarist Teja Gerken, who delivers solo instrumental compositions with enough surprises and innovative twists to delight aficionados of the world music and folk genres. His tunes employ physical techniques such as two-handed tapping, alternate tunings, and percussive effects, but his developed sense of melody is what will keep his CD playing in your mind long after the 'stop' button is pressed. Another impressive feature is that Gerken's playing is captured without overdubs; the intricate arrangements delivered as you might hear the artist in concert. Gerken is one of a rare breed - a guitarist's guitarist with equal appeal for the non-musicians out there. His Postcards album is highly recommended." – GUITAR9.COM 

Doug McKeehan (piano, synthesizers)

Doug McKeehan started his piano studies at age five, and began his first professional work at the age of twelve. He studied music at the Oberlin Conservatory, Kent State University, and the University of Otago (New Zealand). He has toured Europe twice and spent considerable time in India studying with notable Indian music teachers such as Pandit Ram Narayan, Ustad Kursheed Khan and Pandit A.G. Bhattacharya. He has composed original music for stage and T.V. productions in San Francisco and Los Angeles and has been musical director of two original musical comedy productions. He cofounded Air Craft with violinist Bruce Bowers, which released a highly acclaimed new age/jazz album, So Near, So Far (Catero CAT-019). He is a first call jazz pianist in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Ian Dogole (percussion)

For over 30 years, Ian Dogole has articulated his vision of global fusion music as a multipercussionist, bandleader, educator, recording artist, composer and producer. He has released seven records and a DVD as a leader – Along the Route, Dangerous Ground, Ionospheres, Night Harvest, Convergence, Crossroads, Outside the Box – Jazz Journeys & Worlds Beyond and Ian Dogole & Hemispheres In Concert (DVD). Ian has recorded and performed with artists such as Hamza el Din, Tito La Rosa, Richie Cole, Paul McCandless and Alex de Grassi. He performs on a wide variety of percussion instruments, including udu, cajon, hang, African talking drum, kalimbas, cymbals and dumbek. Ian has received numerous grants, including a Jazz Performance Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, two recent grants from the San Francisco Friends of Chamber Music (SFFCM) to present musical tribute concerts in honor of jazz legends Woody Shaw and Wayne Shorter, and multiple grants from the Marin Arts Council. Ian is very active as a music educator – having presented assemblies to more than 60,000 elementary school students in his four seasons with the San Francisco Symphony’s Adventures in Music program and he has just completed his third season presenting a global world music appreciation series to students at Redwood High School in Larkspur, CA. Ian has also offered his music education programs through numerous nonprofit organizations, including Bread & Roses, Young Imaginations, Youth in Arts and Young Audiences of the Bay Area. 

Antoine Lammam (Arabic percussion)

Antoine Lammam was born in Beirut, Lebanon. His musical career started early, where at the age of 8 he was given his first drum, an Egyptian tabla. Antoine's passion and his huge talent was noted by his family, many of whom were themselves involved in the arts. At the age of 14, Antoine moved to United Arab Emirates with his family, running away from the war in Lebanon, where he joined a local band at 16. He was encouraged to master his craft and studied under Khaliji conga master Jumah Ibrahim and Syrian bongo and tambourine player Marwaan Sheriff. The move to United Arab Emirates and joining a number one band consisting of 20 members gave the young Antoine a rich insight into the cultural origins of Middle Eastern music mixed with the flavors of Indian and African rhythms. In the mid of 1970's, Antoine became the main drummer for famous Khaliji singer Abdullah bel-Kheir. But as Antoine began looking for new dimensions of percussive sounds, he found himself turning full circle into his first interest and his sensual passion for the Arabic tambourine.

It wasn't till late 1970's, when Antoine met and studied with famous tambourine player Michael Baklouk. After that, Antoine became the main tambourine player at Dubai's major radio station, where he enjoyed playing for famous artists, doing different contest shows, and recording for various top singers of that time. Antoine has accompanied many famous singers in the USA, played at major night clubs all over America, and taught Arabic rhythms and percussion theories at UC Berkeley (World Music from the Middle-East) from 1991-2009. Antoine is featured on many record releases, including Ancient Future's Planet Passion and his own poetry and music album, Echoes Of Silence, which features his brothers, the famous violinist Georges Lammam and master accordion player Elias Lammam. 

Shenshen Zhang (pipa)

A native of Wenzhou, China, Shenshen Zhang began playing the pipa at the age of nine. At thirteen, she auditioned and was accepted into the prestigious Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, where in 1992, she was awarded a Bachelor's Degree. In 2005, Ms Zhang received Master's Degree in Musicology from Xiamen University. As an award-​​winning concert soloist, she performed and toured extensively through-​​out Asia and the U.S. Since making her home in SF Bay Area in 2006, Ms. Zhang has combined her lengthy performance career and her vast experience as an educator, preserving the musical heritage of China while also exploring other world cultures. Ms. Zhang taught music at Stanford University from 2015 to 2017, and she has her own pipa studio in Silicon Valley where she teaches classical Chinese music to a diverse student population. 

Vishal Nagar (tabla)

Vishal Nagar (tabla)
Hi-Res Photo of Vishal Nagar by Inni Singh (5 MB):
http://www.ancient-future.com/images/vishal_nagar300dpi.jpg 

"He has magic in his hands" - Hindustan Times

Vishal Nagar is considered one of the most gifted tabla players of his generation. Born into a family of musicians, Vishal has been surrounded by music in an extremely musically creative and artistic environment. Since childhood, he has been fascinated by tabla and began to play at an early age. Vishal had his initial training for a very brief period with the late Ustad Latif Ahmed Khan of the Delhi Gharana. After his Ustad's untimely demise, Vishal continued his training under the guidance of Ustad Shamim Ahmed Khan of the same Gharana (school). Along with the dense and rare tabla repertoire taleem which was he received from his Ustad, he also has had intense rhythmic (layakari) training from his mother, the renowned and highly respected Kathak dancer and vocalist, Urmila Nagar. Vishal has been praised in the Indian press for his unique combination of melodic tabla sound production with masterful command of rhythm. 

Vishal has had the privilege of performing with such renowned artists as Ustad Shujaat Khan, Guru Urmila Nagar, Vidhwan Trichur Ramachandran, Pandit Ramesh Misra and Miss. Kala Ramnath. Vishal has also had the honor of sharing the stage with some great world music masters such as African drum legend Babatunde Olatunji, Michel Shrieve, Evyind Kang, Carmona Flamenco, and Michael Wimberley. Vishal has also expanded his cultural boundaries and collaborated with musicians from around the world. Some of his memorable works have been with the Ghanaian Guitarist Koo Nimo with whom he also appeared in WOMAD USA (a leading world dance and music festival started by Peter Gabriel). Starting his performance career at the age of eight in Patna, Vishal has performed around the globe including performances in many cities in India, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Thailand and the United States. Vishal has also been awarded with the Ministry of Culture Scholarship from the Department of Culture.

Past Concerts in the Series

Ancient Future History at Petaluma Library, February 20, 7 PM
Featuring Matthew Montfort (Scalloped Fretboard Guitar)
With Mindia Devi Klein (Bansuri and Silver Flute), and Mariah Parker (Keys, Santur)

Ancient Future History
Video of Ancient Future Circa 1978:
https://youtu.be/x0NHNo6USr8 

This concert celebrated Ancient Future History with music from the early period of the band Ancient Future's musical development. Performing with Ancient Future bandleader Matthew Montfort was original member Mindia Devi Klein on bansuri and silver flutes, and Mariah Parker, who filled in for original Ancient Future member Phil Fong at their 40th anniversary reunion concert, on santur and keys. Local Petaluma tabla player Mark Gerhard sat in on one piece. The concert was well attended and the band received a standing ovation resulting in an encore. Wednesday, February 20, 7 PM, Ancient Future History with Matthew Montfort, Mindia Devi Klein (bansuri and silver flute), and Mariah Parker (santur), Petaluma Regional Library, 100 Fairgrounds Dr., Petaluma, CA 94952. Free. Info: 707-763-9801 or visit sonomalibrary.org.

USA: LAHKI ASTORIA-Prince of Rhythm (2018)

Musicians: Nicolo Canzoniere -bass lute Simon Esteban -mandolin Michael Flury -trombone Milena Meyer -clarinet Chlois Chötzli -bass clarinet Vintsenzos Tragoudiaris -baglamas Pascal Häusermann -drums Viktor Arkad -mpc drums,-perc. Amerigo Cipiscio -e mandolin Klaus Liebemacher -synthesizer Valentin Bächi -synthesizer Jaques Jamal -e bouzouki Steve Mug -jazz guitar Elvetis Chestidotis -bouzoucello Sotirios Marinakis -bouzouki Apostolis Skordilis Junior -lute Soula Tolis -cymbals

 Inspired by: Iovan Tsaous, Stelios Keromitis, Eddie Harris, George Clinton, Jimmy Nolen, Fred Wesley, James Brown, David Porter, Icaac Hayes, Grandmaster Flash and RZA.