Sultans of String

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Sultans Of String
Atomic world-jazz-flamenco
• 2008 Festivals and Events Ontario- Best Variety Act
• 2008 International Songwriting Competition Finalist - Instrumental
• 2008 Toronto, Canada & International Independent Music Awards Nominees
• 2007 Canadian Folk Music Award nomination - Best Instrumental Group
• 2007 Ontario Independent Music Award Winner - Best Song, Best Instrumental
• 2007 Toronto Exclusive Magazine Award Winner- Best Latin Jazz Group
• Debut CD Luna 1 on national radio charts - "International"/"World" and international airplay, including Argentina, Australia, Begium, Belarus, Colombia, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Spain, The Netherlands, U.S. and the U.K.
Sultans of String have been called "groundbreaking…virtuoso…boundary pushing… infectious…visionary… brilliant…and absolutely stunning!" (The Live Music Report). Their debut CD Luna soared to 1 across Canada on Top Ten national radio charts, and won the award for Best Variety Act from Festivals & Events Ontario. They were finalists in the Toronto, Ontario, Canadian and International Independent Music Awards, winning both the best song and best instrumental categories for the 2007 Ontario Independent Music Awards.
On Friday, May 29, 2009 at Trinity St. Paul's Centre in Toronto, Canadian string super-group Sultans of String release their stunning new CD, Yalla Yalla! This sophomore album weaves a truly global sonic tapestry, influenced by Spanish Flamenco, Arabic folk, Cuban rhythms, jazz, classical and French Manouche Gypsy-jazz music! From the driving and spirited title track (Arabic for “Come on! Let’s go!”), to the soaring musical tributes of Sable Island, Auyuittuq Sunrise, Gardens of Lebanon, to the sweet yearning of Le Bisou (The Kiss), Yalla Yalla! is a riveting musical adventure, seamlessly traversing diverse themes of heart, place and tradition. Fiery violin dances with kinetic guitar while a funk bass lays down unstoppable grooves. A full Cuban trumpet ensemble gets in on the fun, offering up an exhilarating and new texture to the band. Throughout, acoustic strings meet electronic wizardry to create layers and depth of sound.
“Canada is a real meeting places of styles and musical influences from around the world” says bandleader and 2009 JUNO Award nominee Chris 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 taught the Canadian values of tolerance, respect for all peoples and celebration of culture.” McKhool’s passion for exploring the rhythms and melodies has led him to the far corners of the world, incorporating instruments and styles everywhere he went.
“Canada’s ambassadors of musical diversity” Sultans of String includes six-string violinist Chris McKhool (who has guest starred with Jesse Cook and Pavlo), duelling guitar wizards Kevin Laliberté (The Chieftains, Jesse Cook) and Eddie Paton (Robert Michaels, Johannes Linstead), bass master Drew Birston (Chantal Kreviazuk, Amanda Martinez) and the jaw dropping talent of Cuban percussionist, Chendy Leon! Special Guests include a who’s who of the Canadian world music scene including: George Gao (erhu), Jordan Klapman (piano), David Woodhead (bass), Bassam Bishara (oud), Andrew Collins (mandolin), Maryem Tollar (vocals), Amanda Martinez (vocals), Cuban Trumpet Ensemble and more.
Touring as a trio to sextet, Chris draws from this collective of master musicians to bring Sultans of String to jazz, folk, classical and family audiences around the world including the Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival, Mariposa Folk Festival, and the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts (WA).
“Chris McKhool and the boys were fantastic!”
– Bob Ezrin, producer (Pink Floyd, Kiss)
“The music is sublime yet is subtle, powerful and emotive. The compositions are stunning as is the playing!“
- Peter Merrett, PBS 106.7 FM Melbourne Australia
“GREAT Album! The uplifting energy that comes from these songs has earned it a permanent place in my cd player."
- Andy Dooley-Miller, KVMR, 89.5 FM, California
Sultans of String would like to thank: Magnum Opus Management, our wonderful representatives.
Also thanks for the generous support of the Ontario Arts Council, and the assistance of the Canada Music Fund and the Music Section of the Canada Council for the Arts. Thanks also to the Canada Council for their Composition, Travel, Music Touring, and Career Development Program support. Thanks as well to FACTOR for their ongoing support. Thanks to Ontario Arts Council for their support for us creating new works.
Chris McKhool's Young Audience Concerts
http://www.fiddlefire.com
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