Sultans of String Featured in Canadian Musician Magazine

To read article, click on the link below.

Canadian Musician Magazine

 

 

UK here we come!

We are very excited to be travelling to the UK. We are performing at Celtic Connections in Glasgow, Scotland, the biggest International winter festival in the world.  We will also be broadcast live on BBC Television, BBC radio, and Irish National Radio while we are there! Please check out details under the TOUR tab.

Performance with Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra

We performed a super fun show with the Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra on Dec 17, under the leadership of Maestro Norman Reintamm. What a treat!

1st collector for Sultans of String – Kitchen Party – with Cathed…
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What a time!

We had such an amazing couple of tours in the U.S.  We are very grateful for all our new American fans and friends.  We performed at the SiriusXM studios in Washington DC, at Birdland Jazz Club in NYC, Scullers Jazz Club in Boston, and Caffe Lena, the famous folk club in Saratoga Springs!

Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Rocks!

We had an amazing weekend with KWS. what a fantastic orchestra, and Maestro John Morris Russell is an inspiring force of nature!  The scores by Becca Pellet almost made me weep at one point…

Got to MOVE it, MOVE it- CD Release

Hi all, it is September 1st, CD release day, and we are so excited we have received

our CDs back from the plant.  We are spending today packaging and mailing them out to all our wonderful fans who have pre-ordered their copies. Looks like we will have to do another run- the day is only half over and we have already run out of our first 2000!

We are very proud of this record, a great collaborative effort among the band and all the wonderful folks who helped us record it.  You can order your copy today by mail at http://tinyurl.com/sultansMoveOctober 29, 8 PM,

CD RELEASE CONCERT at Trinity St Paul’s Centre, 427 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON. Buy your tix here: http://tinyurl.com/3wn77w5 Stay tuned for more info on special guest artists including Eliana Cuevas, Ernie Tollar, Pabloski Rosales, Jordan Klapman, Cuban Trumpet Ensemble and more!

Working on our third CD, MOVE!

We are really excited to be working on our third CD!  We recorded the beds at Canterbury Sound in Toronto

with Jeremy Darby engineering (Live Aid, U2, Pink Floyd, Prince). Right now we are finishing up overdubs, with Nik Tjelios helping with engineering (Pete Seeger, Ken Whiteley). Then we will mix and master with George Seara of Manic Sound (Jesse Cook, Michael Jackson, Sting).  To all of you who have been purchasing pre-release copies since the beginning of the year, THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT! We will ship ‘em out for Labour Day for sure!  Special guests include Ken Whiteley, Amanda Martinez, Ernie Tollar, DALA (featured in photo) and more!

Award Nominations!

We are very excited to be nominated for several awards this past month… wish us luck!

2011 International Acoustic Music Awards Finalist – Instrumental
2011 Independent Music Award Finalist – Instrumental Album – Yalla Yalla!
2011 Independent Music Award Finalist –  World Beat Album – Yalla Yalla!
2011 ISC International Songwriting Competition Finalist-  ”Auyuittuq Sunrise ” in the Instrumental category
2011 ISC International Songwriting Competition Finalist-  ”Gardens Of Lebanon” in the World Music category

Help us record our new CD: pre-order and sponsor now!

Hello fans, friends, music lovers,
SULTANS OF STRING, this year’s JUNO Award Nominees/Canadian Folk Music Award winners, are heading backto the studio to record our next CD… and you can help us get our record out!  We are independent recording artists with no record company support, so we need to raise money right away to start production!  YOU CAN HELP by pledging your support.

Rewards include personally autographed CDs before they hit the street, credit in the liner notes, concert passes, private concerts in your home, iPod Shuffles loaded with music, and lots more- click here to learn more: http://www.kapipal.com/sultansofstring

ArtsCan Circle Benefit at Hugh’s Room, Toronto

Nov 5, Friday 8:30 PM start time.  Book your tix now at http://www.hughsroom.com/ 416-531-6604.  Sultans of String will be donating this show, raising funds and awareness for ArtsCan Circle, a charitable organization dedicated to linking creative artists with Indigenous youth at risk in Canada, and to encouraging self-esteem and creative self-expression through a cooperative exploration of the arts.  ”These funds go a long way to making a difference in the life of a child.” says McKhool, who is also a board member of ArtsCan.  “The power of music to bring hope to a community, help a young person find their voice, or even save a life is amazing.”

Sultans of Symphony!

Sultans of String are excited to be performing our debut symphony performance this Saturday, under the direction of Maestro John Morris Russell, part of Summerfest Uptown. We have beautiful, lush arrangements composed by Rebecca Pellett, an illustrious arranger/composer who has written charts for The Arrogant Worms, The Toronto Jazz Orchestra, IMAX and other Hollywood film productions. On the bill are fan favourites Alhambra, Sable Island, and our East Coast medley Rainflower/Kitchen Party.  Cannot wait to hear our songs in full philharmonic splendour!

Trip to Lebanon

FROM CHRIS: I just returned from a ten day journey to Lebanon with my father Eli, retracing our family roots (McKhool is spelled Makhoul in Lebanon), as well as tracing the thread of Arabic music which informs some of the sound of Sultans of String.  Highlights include finding long lost relatives in Kfarmichki, a small village in the Bekka Valley, finding the stone house that my grandparents lived in, and eating the best mezze of my life. Also we got to hear amazing music in every corner of Beirut, including the Lebanese Philharmonic, Lebanese Arabic Orchestra, and Tarab (singer, oud, and riq) at the Blue Note on… wait for it… Makhoul Street in Beirut!

All this while the rest of the Sultans were in South Africa performing several shows at the FIFA World Cup with Amanda Martinez.  Way to go Amanda!

SOS win International Songwriting Competition!

For the second year in a row, Sultans of String won the ISC International Songwriting Competition, this time taking First Place in Instrumental Category for our song Yalla Yalla!  http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/winners.htm  Thanks!

Performing at the JUNOS

We have an official JUNOFEST performance on Saturday April 17, 10:00 PM  at

Dusk Ultralounge, at 14 Geroge Street, St John’s. Come and party with us!

Yalla Yalla! nominated for 2010 JUNO Award!

We are thrilled to announce Yalla Yalla! has been nominated for 2010 JUNO Award in the Instrumental Album of the Year category.  Thanks to all of you for all your continued support of our music.  See you in St John’s!   http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/sultansofstring3

“Yalla Yalla!” is a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition (ISC)

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) has announced our song “Yalla Yalla!” is a finalist in the Instrumental category. ISC finalists were chosen out of approximately 15,000 entrants. We are also Semi-finalists with our song “Gardens of Lebanon” in the World Music Category. You can vote once a day to help us win the grand prize, look for Yalla Yalla! 5th from the bottom:http://www.sonicbids.com/voting/Candidates.aspx?p=336

Sultans of String nominated for the Indies

Fun news, Sultans of String are up for Favourite World Artist/Group at the 2010 Indies, Independent Music Awards, closing off Canadian Music Week. Thanks for all your support!  Sultans violinist Chris McKhool is also up for Favourite Children’s Artist.  The Indies are a great event, taking place at the Royal York Hotel on March 13. Vote for us at http://www.indies.ca/voting/

Feb. 1 at Hugh’s Room, Toronto – BENEFIT FOR HAITI

Feb. 1 at Hugh’s Room, Toronto – BENEFIT FOR HAITI, Jane Bunnet and Spirits of Havana, along with special guests Sultans of String, Molly Johnson, Amanda Martinez, Hilario Duran and others will perform. http://www.hughsroom.com. Tickets: $25 in advance or $30 at the door. FOR RESERVATIONS call 416 531-6604 or email info@hughsroom.com

Sultans of String win Instrumental Group of the Year!!

 

SOS won Instrumental Group of the Year last night at the Canadian Folk Music Awards!

Bandleader and fiddler Chris McKhool also won Children’s Album of the Year with FiddleFire!,his 2009 JUNO Award nominated CD that features many of the Sultans. FiddleFire! also won the 2009 Parents’ Choice Award (U.S.), the 2009 iParenting Media Award.

Click on REVIEWS button

Hello everyone, we have added over 20 newspaper review from the last year.  Please click on REVIEWS link above.  Also we have updated the media, photos, and YOUTUBES so have fun!

Canadian Folk Music Awards Triple Nomination!

Hello friends, we just found out about our TRIPLE NOMINATION for the Canadian Folk Music Awards for Ensemble of the Year, Instrumental Group of the Year, and Pushing The Boundaries!  We have been invited to perform at the nominee showcase the night before the awards, on November 20.

“We’re deeply honoured and thrilled to be nominated for this year’s CFMAs”, says McKhool. “The nominations are as much for the special guests who appear on “Yalla Yalla!”, as it is for our band (Bassam Bishara, Andrew Collins, George Gao, Jordan Klapman, Maryem Tollar, and David Woodhead). Working with such stellar musicians in our midst and in the larger folk music community is a great privilege!”

Alberta to Ottawa

Fresh from an amazing trip to Deep Roots festival in Nova Scotia, we brought back some of that East Coast energy for our Alberta and Ottawa concerts.  Friday Oct 16 join us in Edmonton at the Blue Chair Cafe, followed by Sat Oct 17 in Ottawa at the OCFF conference! (evening show open to the public)

Canada AM and the Beaches Jazz Festival

We will be kicking it up on CTV’s Canada AM monday June 20, around 8:50 AM (EST), with the full band, celebrating our International Songwriting Competition win (!), and our upcoming shows.

Then on Thursday-Friday-Saturday July 23,24,25 we are at the Beaches Jazz Streetfest from 7-11 pm in front of 1021 Queen Street E, in front of Syllogy.

Yalla Yalla! CD Release May 29

On Friday, May 29, 8:00 PM 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!

With Special Guests- Ernie Tollar – bansuri, Bassam Bishara –  oud, Jordan Klapman –  piano, David Woodhead –  bass and Cuban Trumpet Ensemble: Alexis Baro, Kervin Baretto, Alexander Brown.

Thanks to our sponsors!

Canada Council for the Arts,

Ontario Arts Council,

FACTOR,

Small World Music,

Imperial Graphics,

EcoSchools,

EyeGO to the Arts,

T.O TIX,

EYE Weekly,

Long & McQuade,

JAZZ.FM

Sultans of String National Tour

your favourite world-jazz-flamenco band is embarking on its first cross Canada tour (well, westward anyway). we will be performing in concert halls, music series, and even some educational outreach concerts in schools, to pass on the musical torch to young aspiring musicians.
Please visit TOUR section for details and tickets

Jan 16: Kimberly, BC – Centre 64 
Jan 17: Lake Country, BC – Creekside Theatre 
Jan 22: Vancouver, BC – The Cellar 
Jan 23: Gibsons, BC – St. Bartholomew’s Church Hall 
Jan 24: Victoria, BC – St. Andrew’s Presbyterian 
Jan 25: Chemainus, BC – Dancing Bean
Jan 28: McBride, BC – Roundhouse Theatre 
Feb 17: La Ronge, SK – La Ronge Arts Council 
Feb 18: Melfort, SK – Melfort Northeast Leisure 
Feb 19: Canora, SK – Canora Arts Council 
Feb 20: Langenburg, SK – George Layh Theatre 
Feb 21: Portage la Prairie, MB – William Glesby Centre
Feb 22: Forget, SK – Ananda Arthouse
Feb 23: Assiniboia, SK – Prince of Wales Cultural Centre 
Feb 25: Kindersley, SK – Norman Ritchie Community 
Feb 27: Biggar, SK – Majestic Theatre 
Feb 28: Rosthern, SK – Rosthern Mennonite Church 
Mar 2: Dryden, ON – Dryden Cultural Centre 
Mar 27: Markham, ON – Markham Theatre 
May 29: Toronto. ON – Trinity St Paul’s Centre 
………….New YALLA YALLA CD RELEASE CONCERT!

SAT NOV 15, Sanderson Centre in Brantford

SAT NOV 15, 8:00PM we are performing at the beautiful Sanderson Centre Theatre in Brantford.  This is the big band, with six-string violinist Chris McKhool (who has guest starred with Jesse Cook and

 Pavlo), duelling rumba flamenco guitarists Kevin Laliberté (The Chieftains, Jesse Cook) and Eddie Paton (Robert Michaels), bass master Drew Birston (Chantal Kreviazuk), and jaw-dropping Cuban percussionist, Alberto Suarez! BOOK NOW at http://www.sandersoncentre.ca and 1-800-265-0710.

summer festival tour

May 24,   3:00 PM    Green Toronto Festival,  Dundas Square    Toronto   
May 25,  7:00 PM    Niagara Folk Arts Festival    St. Catharines, ON    
Jun 7,   8:00 PM    OUR WORLD outdoor festival    Kitchener, ON    
Jun 14 & 15,   1:30 PM    Taste of Little Italy Street Festival    Toronto  
Jun 18,   8:00 PM    Earth Day Canada Gala at Drake Hotel    Toronto, ON    
Jun 20,   6:30 PM    Le Commensal- Toronto Jazz Festival
Jun 22,  9:00 PM    The Gate 403 -Toronto Jazz Festival
Jun 27,  9:00 PM    Ten Feet Tall- Toronto Jazz Festival
Jun 29,  3:30 PM    Toronto City Roots Festival
Jul 3, 4     Sunfest    London, ON
Jul 5, 6   Mariposa Folk Festival    Orillia, ON
Jul 10,  7:00 PM    Gage Park Bandstand    Brampton, ON
Jul 12,  2:00 PM    Fair in the Square- Elora Festival    Elora, ON
Jul 13,  1:00 PM    Art of Being Green Festival    Lanark, ON
Jul 19,  7:30 PM    Pulmonary Fibrosis Fundraising concert Haliburton, ON
Jul 24, 25, 26   7:00 PM    Beaches International Jazz Festival Toronto, ON
Jul 30-Aug 2, Chris McKhool Special Guest w/ Jesse Cook in Colorado & BC 

Support Jazz.Fm 91.1

I will be on JAZZ.FM91 this morning, our national jazz station, supporting their fundraising drive.  Please consider becoming a member!   They support the jazz community in so many ways.  JAZZ.FM91 is also independent, not part of a large media conglomerate  Let them know you love jazz; become a member today!  Donate online or call 1-800-811-2400. http://www.jazz.fm/  

Sultans of String win Best Variety Act from Festivals & Events Ontario

We had a great time at the conference this year, showcasing and picking up an award at the same time.

 We love the Festivals & Events community and thank them for their support!

Sultans nominated for 2008 Indie Music Awards and many more!

We are happy to announce we have been nominated for the 2008 Canadian Independent Music Awards, in the Favourite World Artist/Group category.  Congrats to friends Autorickshaw for their nomination as well.  We were also nominated for the Canadian Folk Music Awards and the Toronto, and International Independent Music Awards!