Sultans of String
Written by Lisa Weitz of LW Communications Monday, 04 January 2010 00:00
mix of Arabic folk, Spanish Flamenco, French Manouche gypsy jazz, and Cuban rhythms.
UPCOMING SHOWS
HART HOUSE - JAN 15, 9:00PM - 7 Hart House Circle, Arbour Room, Toronto, free
MCMICHAEL CONCERT SERIES - JAN 17, 1:30PM - 10365 Islington Avenue, Kleinburg, free
Sultans of String take you on a riveting musical adventure featuring a spicy stew of Arabic folk, Spanish Flamenco, French Manouche gypsy jazz, and Cuban rhythms. Seamlessly traversing diverse themes of heart, place and tradition, fiery violin dances with kinetic guitar while a funk bass lays down unstoppable grooves. Throughout, acoustic strings meet electronic wizardry to create layers and depth of sound.
“Canada’s ambassadors of musical diversity” Sultans of String include 6-string violinist and 2009 JUNO Award nominee Chris McKhool who has guest starred with Jesse Cook and Pavlo, duelling guitar wizards Kevin Laliberté (The Chieftains) and Eddie Paton (Robert Michaels), bass master Drew Birston (Chantal Kreviazuk, Amanda Martinez), and the jaw dropping talent of Cuban percussionists, Chendy Leon and Alberto Suarez!
“Canada is a real meeting places of styles and musical influences from around the world” says McKhool. “At the same time, as a band we try to tell uniquely Canadian stories, putting forth our vision of the world as one family.” Chris’ paternal Makhoul grandparents immigrated to Canada from Lebanon in the early 1900s, and his Egyptian-born mother, an accomplished pianist, also has paternal Lebanese ancestry. “Growing up, I was surrounded by Arabic and global sounds and the teachings of respect for all peoples and celebration of culture.” This has fueled McKhool’s unbridled passion for exploring world rhythms and melodies, and has led him to the far corners of the globe, incorporating instruments and styles along the way.
• 2009 Canadian Folk Music Award winner - Instrumental Group of the Year
• 2009 Canadian Folk Music Award nominees - Ensemble of the Year, and Pushing The
Boundaries
• 2009 Juno nomination (Chris McKhool) - "FiddleFire" (Children's Album); Sultans make sizzlin'
appearances throughout the disc.
• 2008 International Songwriting Competition winner - Instrumental
• 2008 Festivals and Events Ontario- Best Variety Act
• 2008 International Independent Music Awards nomination - Best World Fusion
• 2008 Canadian Independent Music Awards Finalists- Favourite World Music Band
• 2007 Toronto Exclusive Magazine Award Winner- Best Latin Jazz Group
• 2007 Ontario Independent Music Awards - Best Song, Best Instrumental
• 2007 Toronto Independent Music Award nominees - World Music Category
• #1 on national radio charts - "International"/"World"
• National and regional airplay across the CBC
• international airplay, including Argentina, Australia, Begium, Belarus, Colombia,
France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Spain, The Netherlands, U.S. and the U.K.
REVIEWS
"“Virtuoso playing... An exuberant and infectious sound... Powerful and
moving... The Sultans are simply an awesome musical group!”
Mariposa Folk Festival
"An organic mix of rumba, Gypsy, jazz, Middle Eastern and Spanish flavours mixed together beautifully, and brilliantly executed.”
Errol Nazareth, CBC Radio
Simply brilliant!”
3NRG 99.3FM, Australia
“Chris McKhool’s lush and lyrical violin playing is a favourite. There is
no question that we hope to have him back again in the future.”
Larry Rossingnol, Distillery Jazz Festival
"Chris McKhool and the boys are fantastic!"
Bob Ezrin, Producer of Pink Floyd and Kiss
