REVIEWS AND FEEDBACKDownBeat Editors' Choice June 2019
Read what DownBeat has to say about "Wise Dreams and Fables of the Sky" by Ultra World X-Tet Examiner.com
"On June 13, 2014, music history was made when Ultra World X-Tet presented their groundbreaking concert "Wise Dreams and Fables of the Sky" in the beautiful O1C sanctuary as part of their ongoing chamber music series..." 
Examiner.com ULTRA WORLD X-TET's "Magical Adventures of the Monkey King" concert listed as one of the best in 2012
San Francisco Classical Voice
by Jeff Kaliss An Ultra Magical X-Tet Imagines the Familiar "In presenting Magical Adventures of the Monkey King as the centerpiece of its Friday concert at Old First Church, the Ultra World X-tet seemed to have taken on some of the qualities of the composition’s title character. The five-person ensemble, like the marvelous mythical monkey Sun Wukong, covered a great deal of ground in a short time, wielding magic in service of a lofty mission..." READ MORE Examiner.com
ULTRA WORLD X-TET: Chinese Music and Jazz converge in San Francisco by Johnathon Bakan "On Friday October 21, The Old First Church (O1C) on Sacramento St. presented Ultra World X-Tet as part of its ongoing concert series. To put it plainly Ultra World X-Tet is an extraordinary world class ensemble. Ultra World X-Tet combines jazz, world, classical and experimental styles in a pioneering mix of music and culture..."
Berkeley World Music Festival
"On behalf of the Berkeley World Music Festival, I want to thank you and Ultra World X-Tet for your fine performance during the 2012 Festival. It was a pleasure working with you, to be introduced to your music and to have the opportunity to experience Ultra World X-Tet live. We appreciate your music and applaud your pioneering work towards towards the 3 C's (creating, composing & choreographing) a new East/West musical sound." Berkeley World Music Festival Committee Tsou Tribe Culture Center, Alishan (Ali Mountain), Taiwan
"Hello Mr.Schwantes, i'm so glad to hear that you guys enjoyed your experienc at the Culture Center. we loved your version of the Ali Mountain, it sounds very different compared to the way we used to sing it. it sounds softer with layers, its almost like eating a "black forest cake", you taste the spongy chocolate layer and there is also whipped cream and cherries in between each layer of the cake, its hard to explain but i hope you can relate my cake analogy! We enjoyed the music very much! hope you and your wife can come again ! so we can show and tell you more about Tsou's life. wish you and your wife "YUYUPAS" which means Happy and Healthy!" Akung Islituan tuan Tsou Tribe Culture Center, Alishan (Ali Mountain), Taiwan 阿里山鄒族文化部落 On Lok
Thank you all VERY much for all you did to make this 40th Anniversary so great! Your band was wonderful and everyone really enjoyed the music! On Lok 40th Anniversary Gala Organizing Committee Sing Tao Daily
April 7, 2009 ULTRA WORLD X-TET Concert at Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco "Great musicians...a unique style." Organization of American Kodaly Educators
"I cannot tell you how many favorable comments we received about your music. People loved your music at the reception and dinner. It was so gratifying to see folks gathered around you appreciating your beautiful music. You get an incredible sound on the Bamboo flutes. It was perfect." -Organizing committee for San Francisco convention, Organization of American Kodaly Educators |
Listen to a radio interview:
ULTRA WORLD X-TET on NPR "Crosscurrents" | ||||||
