Luna by Sultans of String

”

- Ken Whiteley, Producer

Sultans of String are:

Chris McKhool- 5 string electric violin

Kevin Laliberte- nylon string guitar

Drew Birston- electric bass

Special Guest Performers include:

Amanda Martinez/ Maryem Tollar- voice

Ernie Tollar- nay, bansuri, saxophone

Bassam Bishara (oud)

Rick Lazar- percussion

Join the Sultans of String in their exploration of world rhythms in this mesmerizing world-jazz-flamenco CD. The Mariposa Folk Foundation describes them as "Just awesome original Gypsy-jazz-flamenco! Chris presents a wild and improvised musical journey. Along with Kevin Laliberte, the band romps through an energized adventure of Latin, jazz and folk rhythms. Chris McKhool's violin playing is a treat!"

Produced by Chris McKhool, Luna features a who’s who of the Canadian world music scene including : Bassam Bishara (oud), Andrew Collins (mandolin), Rick Lazar (percussion), Amanda Martinez (vocals), Steve O'Connor (piano), Ernie Tollar (nay, sax) and Maryem Tollar (vocals).

Chris McKhool grew up in a house bursting with music - his piano-playing mother was born in Cairo and his ancestors on his fathers’ side were from Lebanon (McKhool is usually spelled Makhoul, in Kafr Mishki, Lebanon). Together with Kevin Laliberte he has drawn on the rhythms of Spain, Morocco, his own Middle Eastern heritage, French Manouche Gypsy-jazz, and his trips across the globe to create works that are "rich, textured, original and fun!”

Chris’ and Kevin’s lives have been dedicated to the rhythms and melodies of the world. Their vision of harmony and tolerance has led them on journeys to the far corners of the globe, collecting instruments and styles as they go. Chris was already traveling and sharing music abroad (Canadian Arctic, Indonesia, France, England, Cuba, Peru, Guatemala, Indian Himalayas, Costa Rica) when he met Kevin who had been touring internationally (with Jesse Cook since 1999, with the Chieftains, on the Tonight Show and across Asia).

When they met, their musical mind-meld translated into entrancing and entertaining original tunes, as well as spontaneous(!) compositions, live in front of eager audiences. Sultans of String have taken their music to festivals, music series and clubs across North America. Past performances include Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival, Toronto City Roots Festival, Ontario Contact 2006 Showcase and a special performance for European Union Consuls General.

They are available for touring as a trio, as well as a larger ensemble that includes Arabic-English singers, multi-instrumentalist Ernie Tollar on Indian bansuri flute, Middle Eastern nay and saxophone, and Rick Lazar/Jeff Wilson on percussion.

LINKS:

Website: www.sultansofstring.com

Chris McKhool's Young Audience concerts: http://www.fiddlefire.com

Management: Magnum Opus Management, phone: (867) 633-2800, http://www.magnumom.ca

To book call 1-800-MCKHOOL (625-4665) anywhere in North America.

Sultans of String would like to thank:

Ontario Arts Council for their support for us creating new works.

FACTOR for their support making our first demo recording.

We acknowledge the financial support of Canada's private radio broadcasters as well as the Government of Canada through the Canada Music Fund for this project.

Produced by Chris McKhool

Recorded & Mixed by Nik Tjelios

Mastered at MusicLane by Ted Carson

Photography by Darren Levant

Design by A Man Called Wrycraft

RUNNING TIME: 45:12 minutes

ISBN: 978-0-9680429-9-1

BAR CODE: 7-75020-80322-0

CATALOGUE #: MCK 2040

Average Customer Review: