Internationally awarded and honoured Canadian band Sultans of String collaborates with over 30 musicians on Sanctuary, and Refuge. Addressing the struggles of life on Mother Earth has always inspired Sultans of String. On their visionary seventh and eighth albums, they bring their unique brand of musical synergy and collaboration to bear on songs that speak to the challenges facing the world’s displaced peoples--their stories, their songs, their persistence and their humanity.

Joined by an international cast, some of whom are recent immigrants to North America, the celebrated group immerses themselves in the plight of the international refugee, and the humanitarian response that should greet everyone in search of a home.

“This project is centred around the positive contributions of refugees and new immigrants to U.S.A. and Canada” says bandleader Chris McKhool (ancestral name Makhoul), whose Lebanese grandfather stowed away on a ship bound for North America a century ago.

“We’re collaborating with special guests on the album, some who are newcomers to this land, Indigenous artists, as well as global talents who have been ambassadors for peace. We wish to celebrate the successes of those who make the journey here and bring their extraordinary talents with them. We hope the conversations we can have as musicians will provide a model for peace that will inspire our politicians and citizens.”

Sultans of String

3x JUNO Award nominees Sultans of String thrill their audiences with their BILLBOARD-charting global sonic tapestry of Spanish Flamenco, Arabic folk, Cuban rhythms, and Django-jazz, celebrating musical fusion and human creativity with warmth and virtuosity. Fiery violin dances with rumba-flamenco guitar while bass lays down unstoppable grooves. Acoustic strings meet with electronic wizardry to create layers and depth of sound, while world rhythms excite audiences to their feet with the irresistible need to dance. 

Sultans of String have been riding a wave of success, hitting #1 on world/folk/jazz music charts in North America, and earning eight Canadian Folk Music Award nominations, winning Instrumental and World Group of the Year. They also took home the 2014 SiriusXM Award for World Group, and 1st place in the International Songwriting Competition out of 15,000 entries!

The band has been featured in the NY Times, and recorded live for broadcast on BBC TV, SiriusXM in Washington DC, CTV’s CanadaAM, CBC’s Canada Live, and Kentucky’s WoodSongs, and has topped campus/community radio charts in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Colombia, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, The Netherlands, U.S. and U.K. When violinist and Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal recipient Chris McKhool (Jesse Cook, Pavlo) first heard founding guitarist Kevin Laliberté’s (Jesse Cook) rumba rhythm, their musical synergy created Sultans of String’s signature sound — the intimate and playful relationship between violin and guitar. Amazing musical friends include bassist Drew Birston (Chantal Kreviazuk), Cuban percussionist Chendy Leon (Alex Cuba), and have featured special guests such as the Chieftains’ Paddy Moloney, folk-pop darlings Dala, Latin Grammy winner Alex Cuba, Richard Bona, and 15 time Grammy winner Béla Fleck.
https://sultansofstring.com