Sultans of String
World Music
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Sultans of String create “Energetic and exciting music from a band with talent to burn!” (Maverick Magazine, UK). Thrilling audiences with their genre-hopping passport of Celtic reels, flamenco, Gypsy-jazz, Arabic, Cuban, and South Asian rhythms, fiery violin dances with kinetic guitar, while bass and percussion lay down unstoppable grooves. Since forming 10 years ago, Sultans of String have hit #1 across Canada on Top 10 national radio charts, and received multiple awards and accolades, including 3 JUNO (Canada’s Grammy) nominations, 1st place in the ISC (15,000 entries), 3 Canadian Folk Music Awards, plus invitations to perform/record with such luminaries as The Chieftains, David Bromberg, Alex Cuba, Ruben Blades, Richard Bona, and Nikki Yanofsky.
Christmas Caravan (only available as a quintet plus vocalist)
Celebrate the season with an adventurous musical trip around the world! 2015 JUNO Award nominees Sultans of String deliver an exuberant performance featuring originals, world-music inspired classics, and seasonal favourites to warm your heart on a cold winter’s night. From fiery fiddle tunes to a Caribbean sleigh ride, this surprising and delightful holiday fiesta heats up when Sultans of String bring their signature sound to well known gems such as Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, Jesous Ahatonhia (with gorgeous newly-translated Indigenous lyrics), a Turkish twist on Greensleeves, Silent Night, as well as a Gypsy-jazz inspired Django Christmas, and a Rumba-Flamenca fuelled Jingle Bells. Sultans of String are joined by shimmering guest vocalist Rebecca Campbell (Jane Siberry, Emmylou Harris, Alanis Morissette).
Symphony Show
http://sultansofstring.com/2015/10/sultans-of-string-symphony/ 3x
JUNO Award Nominees and “Canada’s ambassadors of musical diversity” Sultans of String thrill their audiences with their global sonic tapestry of Spanish Flamenco, Arabic folk, Cuban rhythms, foot-stomping Celtic, and French Gypsy-jazz in a celebration of musical fusion and human creativity infused with warmth and virtuosity. Fiery violin dances with rumba-flamenco guitar while a funk bass lays down unstoppable grooves. Acoustic mastery meets with a symphony of sound, deepened by world rhythms that inspire whole audiences to get up and dance.
Sultans of String’s Pops show was developed under the direction of luminary John Morris Russell, (Conductor-Cincinnati Pops Orchestra), and was scored by illustrious arranger/composer Rebecca Pellett (Toronto Symphony Orchestra, IMAX & Hollywood film productions). The show runs up to two hours including song introductions/storytelling, and the instrumentation is 2222 (no doubling), 4331, timp + 2 perc, optional harp and orchestral strings. A full library of ready-to-play, bowed parts is available. No music need be rented.
>> Career Highlights
• 2020 Folk Music Ontario- Songwriting Award – Instrumental - "Refuge”
• 2020 Folk Music Ontario- Songwriting Award – Political - "I Am a Refugee”
• 2020 Independent Music Awards - Instrumental Song of the Year - The Grand Bazaar
• 2020 Independent Music Awards - World Music Producer of the Year – Refuge
• 2019 International Songwriting Competition- Folk semi-finals – “Power of the Land”
• 2019 International Songwriting Competition- Performance semi-finals – “Power of the Land”
• 2018 Canadian Folk Music Awards– Producer of the Year nomination for McKhool
• 2017 New York Times Hits List
• 2017 Billboard World Music Charts – Christmas Caravan CD hits #6
• 2017 Nielsen World Music Charts – Christmas Caravan CD hits #3
• 2017 Folk Music Ontario- Songwriting Award double winner
• 2017 ISC International Songwriting Competition- World category
• 2017 JUNO Award Nominees for "World Music Album of the Year" – Subcontinental Drift
• 2017 Billboard World Music Charts - Subcontinental Drift CD hits #15
• 2016 Canadian Folk Music Awards– World Music Group of the Year
• 2016 Global Music Awards– World Music / Beats
• 2015 International Songwriting Competition (ISC) – Subcontinental Drift
• 2015 JUNO Award Nominees for "Instrumental Album of the Year" – Symphony!
• 2015 Toronto Independent Music Award - World Music
• 2014 SIRIUSXM Independent Music Awards Winner- World Group of the Year
>> Testimonials
“Sultans of String are so extraordinary and put on a sensational show—one of my favorite bands on the planet!” – Lincoln Center, New York NY
“They are players without borders… world music that transcends place and time with a heavy dose of playfulness added in.” – THE VANCOUVER PROVINCE
“Virtuoso playing…. An exuberant and infectious sound… Powerful and moving…The Sultans are simply an awesome musical group!” – MIKE HILL, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, MARIPOSA FOLK FESTIVAL
"Sultans of String are one of Canada’s hottest musical exports, dynamically embodying their homeland’s values of tolerance and respect for diverse cultures."– International Celtic Connections Festival, UK
"We chose to program the Sultans in hopes of bringing some variety and long needed energy to our series. I can safely say it was a smash success with a sellout crowd and almost every audience member stopping to share their gratitude and appreciation for both the music and the energy of the band. The success was magnified with the Fiddlefire program the next day where the SOTK put on its first kids show in a long time. We were astonished at the turnout and the audience reaction." – Symphony of the Kootenays BC
"Sultans of String are professional, fun, enthusiastic and collaborate well in sessions, but most importantly they are supremely talented musicians. Book them, you will not be sorry." – Edmonton Folk Music Festival AB
"Just amazing! one of the best shows we have ever had. Every single person here loved it!" – Greenbank Folk Music Society, ON
"Pure magic! The buzz afterwards... best night of music Blue Skies has ever heard! The Sultans know how to rock a festival out!" – Blue Skies Music Festival, ON
"Your performance packs in it more emotion than any band I have ever seen. I saw men with tears in their eyes today; I talked with wives who said they had never seen that effect before. And yet this was not a sad performance it was a performance of great liveliness that just took over the festival. Truly phenomenal" – WOWFest, Norfolk UK
“Brilliant! I loved it. Best world music we have had here. See you next year!” – Queens Hall, Narbeth UK
“Sultans of String are one of the finest groups of musicians you will ever hear. They continue to wow audiences with their cutting edge arrangements. Do not miss this show.” – Phillips Area Community Center, Phillips ME
“Sultans of String performed in Western Maine last night at the Phillips Area Community Center to a packed house. A truly amazing performance. We have not had anything like it and everyone loved the show." – Western Maine Passport to the Arts
"Sultans of String were exceptional, and received a standing ovation! We would love to have them back!" – Sellersville Theatre, Sellersville PA
"Your set was sensational. Loved it!” – Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul & Mary)
"Excellent show! Just tremendous. You just blew me away!" – Central Lakes Performing Arts Center, Brainerd MN
"Your music exemplifies our diversity and it brings a great spirit of peace and community and love to the world. You were all a true joy to work with and it was a true pleasure to experience your music!” – The Fallout Shelter, Boston MA
"The audience said this was the best thing they had ever seen here! We all want you to come back!” – The Grand Theater, Ellsworth ME
"Mesmerizing artistry, and rhythms that captivated right up until their standing ovation!" – Sutter Creek Theater, California
"Exciting and very moving!" – Birdland, New York NY
>> Basic Set-Up Needs
>> Sample Introduction
>> Pricing Information
Pricing for each act varies depending on a number of factors including: location of the event; popularity of the date; routing for each act; type of event; single or multiple day performances; length of show, etc. To get a specific and accurate quote for your event please contact our office by completing the form below or calling (612) 361-6002. We respond very quickly to answer all our clients' questions.