Sultans of String to perform at Beaches Jazz Fest!
Thursday, 22 July 2010 20:03
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 16, 2010
WHO: Sultans of String to perform at Beaches Jazz Fest!
WHERE: Syllogy, 1921 Queen St. E. Toronto
WHEN: July 22-24, 7pm-11pm
July 25, 11am - Mainstage (with Cuban Trumpet Ensemble), Kew Gardens
COST: Free
INFO: http://www.beachesjazz.com/streetfest.html
* * *
2010 JUNO NOMINEES!
SULTANS OF STRING
TO PERFORM AT BEACHES JAZZ FESTIVAL!
[Toronto ON] Sultans of String are serving up their spicy stew of Middle Eastern folk, Spanish Flamenco, French Manouche gypsy jazz, and Cuban rhythms at the Beaches Jazz Festival July 22-25, including their Mainstage show with a full Cuban Trumpet Ensemble!
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.
Since their formation only 3 years ago, Sultans of String have been riding a wave of success, from their debut CD "Luna" hitting # 1 on world/international music charts in Canada, to their triple 2009 Canadian Folk Music Award nomination, winning Instrumental Group of the Year.
In the past few months alone, they've acquired a JUNO nomination for their new CD, "Yalla Yalla", U.S. representation from acclaimed promoter David Wilkes (Emmylou Harris, Jesse Cook, Bela Fleck), and booking representation in Australia. They also garnered a 2010 CMW Indies nomination and took home 1st place in the International Songwriting Competition... exciting times for the band!
“Canada’s ambassadors of musical diversity” Sultans of String include 6-string violinist Chris McKhool (Jesse Cook, Pavlo), duelling guitar czars Kevin Laliberté (The Chieftains) and Eddie Paton (Robert Michaels), bass master Drew Birston (Amanda Martinez, Chantal Kreviazuk), 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.
Virtuoso playing... An exuberant and infectious sound... Powerful and
moving... The Sultans are simply an awesome musical group!”
Mariposa Folk Festival
"Chris McKhool and the boys are fantastic!"
Bob Ezrin, Producer of Pink Floyd and Kiss
"The Sultans win the admiration of audiences everywhere they play because they strike the perfect balance between brainy composition and fun execution!
Sunfest
“Thrill of improvising makes Sultans a thrill to experience… gripping suspense for both the audience and the musicians… Superb!”
Roger Levesque, Edmonton Journal
Simply brilliant!”
3NRG 99.3FM, Australia
“From family concerts to workshops to the late night after hours crowd… The Sultans of String owned every audience they played in front of at Northern Lights Festival. Brilliant energetic playing and a warm rapport with the listeners. We’ll definitely bring them back!”
Paul Loewenberg, Northern Lights Festival Boreal
"Chris McKhool and the Sultans of String conjure up an ingenious
concoction of global rhythms on their polished and playful new disc."
Penguin Eggs
"An organic mix of rumba, Gypsy, jazz, Middle Eastern and Spanish flavors mixed together beautifully, and brilliantly executed.”
Errol Nazareth, CBC Radio
“Sultans of String were a definite highlight of the festival. These are talented, energetic musicians that we would like to see perform again and again!”
Bryan Bondy, Prince Edward County Jazz Festival
Career highlight summary:
• 2010 JUNO Nominees - "Instrumental Album of the Year"
• 2010 International Songwriting Contest 1st Place Winners - Instrumental
• 2010 Performer at JUNOFest
• 2010 Indie Awards Nominees - Favourite World Artist/Group
• 2010 Indie Awards Nominees- Favourite Children's Artist (for bandleader Chris McKhool
-- Sultans make sizzlin appearances throughout McKhool's CDs)
• 2009 Canadian Folk Music Award winner - Instrumental Group of the Year
• 2009 Canadian Folk Music Award nominees - Ensemble of the Year
• 2009 Canadian Folk Music Award nominees - Pushing The Boundaries
• 2009 JUNO nomination (Chris McKhool) - "FiddleFire" (Children's Album)
• 2009 Toronto Exclusive Magazine Award Winner- Best Toronto World CD
• 2009 Toronto Exclusive Magazine Award Winner- Artist of the Year
• 2009 CTV National Feature - "Canada AM"
• 2008 CBC National Feature - "Canada Live"
• 2008 International Songwriting Competition winner - Instrumental
• 2008 Festivals and Events Ontario- Best Variety Act
• 2008 International Independent Music Awards Finalists - Best World Fusion Song
• 2008 Canadian Independent Music Awards Finalists- Favourite World Music Band
• 2007 Musique du Monde Award
• 2007 Debut CD, "Luna" hit #1 on national radio charts - "International"/"World"
• 2007 Canadian Folk Music Award nominees (Instrumental Group of the Year)
• 2007 Ontario Independent Music Award winner- Best Song
• 2007 Ontario Independent Music Award winner- Best Instrumental
• 2007 Toronto Exclusive Magazine Award Winner- Best Latin Jazz Group
• 2007 Toronto Independent Music Award nominees - World Music Category
• Sultans acknowledge the generous support of Canada Council for the Arts,
FACTOR, Ontario Arts Council, and the Toronto Arts Council
WHO: Sultans of String
WHERE: Beaches Jazz Festival, Syllogy, 1921 Queen St. E. Toronto
WHEN: July 22-24, 7pm-11pm
July 25, 11am - Mainstage (with Cuban Trumpet Ensemble)
COST: Free
FEST INFO: http://www.beachesjazz.com/streetfest.html
BAND BIO/ http://www.sultansofstring.com
PHOTOS/ http://www.sonicbids.com/sultansofstring
MP3S: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/sultansofstring3
