Meet the incredible guest artists that will join the Sultans of String and the Mississauga Symphony for the World Orchestral Premiere of REFUGE – Saturday, February 8 at the Living Arts Centre.
Regular priced concert tickets start at $40. Special pricing is available for seniors, families, youth (15-26), and groups of 10 or more. FREE parking is included with every ticket purchase. Click HERE to buy.
SULTANS OF STRING
3x JUNO nominees and SiriusXM winners Sultans of String create “Energetic and exciting music from a band with talent to burn!” (Maverick Magazine UK). Thrilling their audiences with their genre-hopping passport of Celtic reels, flamenco, Django-jazz, Arabic, Cuban, and South Asian rhythms, Sultans of String celebrate musical fusion and human creativity with warmth and virtuosity. Fiery violin dances with rumba-flamenco guitar, while bass and percussion lay 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.
Since releasing their debut album Luna in 2007, Sultans of String have continually strived to make each chart-topping album more original and meaningful than the last. That includes working with an orchestra (2013’s Symphony), teaming with Pakistani sitarist Anwar Khurshid (2015’s Subcontinental Drift) and even crafting a world-music holiday album (2017’s Christmas Caravan), which landed them on the Billboard charts and the New York Times. Their ambition and work ethic have garnered them multiple awards and accolades, including three JUNO nominations, first place in the International Songwriting Competition (out of 15,000 entries), six Canadian Folk Music Awards and countless other honours.
Their 2020 release Refuge garnered awards including 2 Independent Music Awards for Instrumental Song of the Year and World Music Producer of the Year, as well as 2021 CFMA for Producer of the Year for Chris McKhool. The lead track from their followup Sanctuary was part of John Bailey’s 2022 Engineering JUNO nomination, and the album won Global Music and Producer awards at the 2023 CFMAs. They have just released and are touring their ninth album, “Walking Through the Fire”, a powerful collection of collaborations with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists across Turtle Island. This album was made this album in the spirit of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 calls to action, and Final Report that asks for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to work together as an opportunity to show a path forward.
McKhool has an Egyptian-born mother who happened to play piano, teach classical theory, and feed her young son as much Middle Eastern cuisine as she did music lessons. From there, the powerful violinist developed a taste for multi-genre string sounds and found a like-minded crew of all-world enthusiasts. When McKhool first heard founding guitarist Kevin Laliberté’s rumba rhythm, their musical synergy created Sultans of String’s signature sound – the intimate and playful relationship between violin and guitar. From this rich foundation, the dynamic duo grew with groove-master bassist Drew Birston.
Their live resume is similarly stellar. Equally at home in a concert hall, folk and jazz club or festival setting, Sultans of String have gigged at JUNOfest, the legendary club Birdland in New York, Celtic Connections Festival (Glasgow) and London’s Trafalgar Square. They have sold out Koerner Hall three times (Toronto’s Carnegie Hall), and performed with the Annapolis, Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton Symphony Orchestras. They have played live on CBC’s Canada Live, BBC Radio, BBC TV, Irish National Radio, and the syndicated World Café, Woodsongs, and SiriusXM in Washington. Sultans of String’s musicianship and versatility are also showcased in collaborations with such diverse luminaries as Paddy Moloney & The Chieftains, Sweet Honey in The Rock, Richard Bona (Paul Simon), Alex Cuba, Ruben Blades, Yasmin Levy, Benoit Bourque, Béla Fleck, Crystal Shawanda & Ken Whiteley.
Sultans of String would like to thank Ontario Arts Council for their support of this orchestral premiere of Refuge, through the Artist-Presenter Collaboration Projects program.
CHRIS MCKHOOL
A Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal recipient for his work creating community through music, bandleader Chris McKhool produces, composes and plays violin with BILLBOARD-charting Sultans of String. He was recently awarded the Dr. Duke Redbird Lifetime Achievement Award and the Merilaïnen Music Awards as Indigenous Ally of the Year, for his work on Walking Through the Fire, a collaborative project with First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists across Turtle Island.
McKhool has recorded and appeared with several jazz, world, folk and pop artists including Béla Fleck, Jesse Cook, the Chieftains, Richard Bona, and Nikki Yanofsky. He has received multiple Canadian Folk Music Awards as Producer of the Year, and won the inaugural PIVOT AWARD from CIMA for creating the Sultans Zoom Room series. Chris also has a rich career performing for young audiences, and has written, directed and produced two Cannes World Film Festival Award winning films, The Refuge Project and Walking Through the Fire.
DREW BIRSTON
Drew Birston is a versatile bassist, composer, producer and singer/songwriter living in Toronto. He has been contributing to the Canadian music scene for over 25 years and has toured the world with a variety of different artists including Sultans of String, Amanda Martinez, Justin Hines, Chantal Kreviazuk, The Leslie Spit Treeo, and Sarah Slean. He released “Orca Songs”, his critically acclaimed solo album collection of 10 original songs in 2016.
Along his musical journey, Drew has enjoyed recording and extensive touring throughout Canada, the US, the UK, Asia, and Mexico. Highlights include playing at Madison Square Garden, Celtic Connections Festival in UK, and the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg and Soweto, South Africa. Drew also met the love of his life, Amanda Martinez in the city and has the joy of raising their three children together and sharing the gift of music. Composing is also underway for a sophomore solo album.
KEVIN LALIBERTE
In 1999, guitarist Kevin Laliberté left a computer programming job to tour the world with guitarist and recording artist Jesse Cook. Highlights of his five-year tenure with Jesse include an appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, backing up Charlotte Church. Kevin has released 5 solo albums of his unique brand of original instrumental music, blending the sounds of flamenco, bossa-nova, pop and jazz with the romance of the Spanish guitar. His music has been used in film (Unforgettable – 2017) and TV (numerous).
In addition to his role as co-founder and co-composer of the three-time JUNO-nominated world music group Sultans of String, Kevin has also been the long-time guitarist and songwriting collaborator with Latin vocalist and recording artist Amanda Martinez, touring Canada, the USA, Mexico, and appearing at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Kevin also produced and mixed her latest two albums Recuerdo and Libre.
ALBERTO SUAREZ
Alberto Suárez was born in Matanzas, Cuba – a city famous for its rich musical history and Rumba rhythms. Alberto began to play percussion at the age 13, and completed formal years of training at both the Matanzas provincial music school and the National Conservatory of Music in Cuba’s capital, Havana. Alberto worked in the acclaimed International Orchestra, directed by Carlos Tarafa.
Since his arrival in Canada, Alberto has taken part in international percussion festivals, and has brought a new perspective to Toronto’s Latin music community. Besides being CaneFire’s resident percussionist, he has also performed with Nick Ali, Ruben Vasquez, Jane Bunnett, Proyecto Charanguero, Hilario Duran, Alexis Baro, Luis Mario Ochoa, and Julie Leahy. Alberto has also performed on with the world-renowned pioneer of the steel Pan in the Jazz world, Andy Narell, as well as performed & recorded with Calypso Legend David Rudder, Jesse Cook, Tipical Toronto, Sultans of String, and many more.
ALYSSA DELBAERE-SAWCHUK
Born in Treaty One of Ukrainian and Red River Métis roots tracing back to Louis Riel’s ancestors, Alyssa Delbaere-Sawchuk has a DMus in classical and fiddle music traditions from the Université de Montréal. Studying Métis fiddling traditions, Alyssa’s mentorship with Ojibwe fiddler Elder Lawrence “Teddy Boy” Houle led her to collaborate with his brother, James Flett, in creating Oméigwessi, Reel Métis: A Tribute to Walter Flett, which won Best Fiddle and Best Instrumental Album at the 2008 Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards. She is also a member of the Métis Fiddler Quartet, receiving the CFMA for Best Traditional Album award.
Alyssa’s passion for access to arts education has led her to develop innovative Indigenous-inspired methodologies that integrate teachings of Métis history, music and culture with movement and dance. She has led workshops at the AGO and the ROM. Most recently, Alyssa was selected as the Indigenous representative and artistic producer of Kuné, a project incubated by the Royal Conservatory of Music.
DONNE ROBERTS
Singer-songwriter/guitarist Donné Roberts was born in Madagascar. Now based in Toronto, Canada, he is a two-time JUNO Award winner and four-time nominee. He earned additional acclaim by winning the First Prize at the International Songwriting Competition in the USA in May 2024. Donné has toured Japan several times, and has performed with African Guitar Summit, Okavango the African Orchestra, Sultans of String, Amanda Martinez, Yukiko Tsutsui, Swedish pop group Ace of Base, and many more.
Donné performs mainly in Malagasy mother tongue from his birthplace of Madagascar. Yet this never proves to be a barrier to the audience, providing living proof that music truly does transcend languages, fusing Afrobeat with jazz elements and vibrant rhythms inspired by his African roots. CBC Radio commissioned Donné to compose the theme song for their widely acclaimed morning show, Fresh Air, which continues to air today.
LEEN HAMO
Leen Hamo is a newcomer artist from Syria. Since arriving in Canada, music has provided her with a safe space and strength, and singing has given her the power she needed to express her identity. Her passion for classical Arabic led her to the Canadian Arabic Orchestra, where she has been performing as a choir singer alongside talented professional vocalists and instrumentalists around Canada. Leen was the lead vocalist of Diar band that presents classical and folkloric Arabic music mixed with flamenco.
Leen is also a vocalist for different projects and collaborations around Toronto, including her latest project Kazdura. This trio started performing in downtown Toronto summer 2020. Kazdoura presents Arabic fusion and aims to show the beauty of maqams presented with other influences like blues, funk and jazz.
MAJD SUKAR
Majd Sukar is a Syrian-Canadian clarinetist, saxophonist, composer, and educator celebrated for his innovative fusion of Middle Eastern folk and classical traditions with jazz. A prominent figure in Toronto’s music scene, he has performed with renowned Canadian artists such as Robi Botos and Rich Brown and collaborated with top bands like Sultans of String and Moneka Arabic Jazz.
Majd is a highly sought-after soloist in the Arabic, Turkish, and Persian music scenes, performing with esteemed organizations such as the Aga Khan Museum and the Canadian Arabic Orchestra. He has shared stages with legends such as Jorge Pardo, Antonio Serrano, and Adam Rudolph, touring extensively across Canada and internationally. Founder of Sham Blues, Majd brings Middle Eastern music into contemporary contexts, earning accolades such as the RBC Newcomer Arts Award. His influence was immortalized with the Jabrin Clarinets “MS” model, honouring his contributions to global music.
PADIDEH AHRARNEJAD
Padideh Ahrarnejad is an award winning tar player, arranger, composer, and educator who has brought Persian music across Europe, the Middle East, North America and Asia. A graduate of the Tehran Art Music School and the Art University of Tehran, Padideh studied with major figures of Persian music, including Behrouz Het mati, Hossein Alizade and Hooshang Zarif. She received the award for best tar player at Fadjr Music Festival in Iran several times. A member of the Iran National Music Orchestra and the Radio and Television Orchestra for 10 years, Padideh has performed around the world, bringing Persian music to countries including Switzerland, China, Kuwait, Germany, Austria, and Canada.
Since emigrating to Toronto, Canada in 2016, Padideh has become a member of Kuné, Canada’s Global Orchestra. She has performed across Canada and USA and several times on the CBC. She founded her own group “Partow” in 2019 and published their first CD under the same name.
SASKIA TOMKINS
Saskia Tomkins is a master musician of violin, viola, cello and Nyckelharpa, an educator, and a composer. UK born, she is classically trained with a folk background and a B.A.hons. in Music (Jazz). She is an All-Britain Champion Irish Fiddler, and in 2022 received an award for services to Irish Music in Canada. Saskia was the official Artist in Residence in 2022 with Folk Alliance International, and is currently Artist in Residence with British-based organization The Mixed Museum, which works to preserve and share the social history of racial mixing in Britain of Black and ethnic minorities for future generations.
Saskia worked the as a special consultant on the Broadway hit “Come From Away”, to ensure the Celtic roots and traditions were communicated in an authentic way through the score. Her current personal projects include Steáfán & Saskia, MEDUSA, 2ish, Cáirdeas, Marsala and the Imports, Sultans of String, Quinte Symphony, and Upbeat! Downtown Peterborough El Sistema programme.
ANNE KEILLOR – TECH DIRECTOR
Anne Keillor is a Toronto based freelance sound technician with 30 years of concert, live radio broadcast and livestream sound experience. She has worked in a variety of venues from small clubs to 1000 seat theatres, as well as numerous concerts in large churches and outdoor festivals.
Anne has been the house technician at Hugh’s Room, Toronto’s premier folk music venue, since its inception in 2001. At Hugh’s Room she has mixed for diverse, internationally renowned musicians including Jane Siberry, Richie Havens, Ian Tyson, The Strawbs, Jane Bunnett, Marc Jordan, Ian Thomas, Odetta, Gordon Lightfoot, and Carol Welsman.
Anne has also worked for various series including University of Toronto’s Hart House, Jazz at Oscar’s, Arbor Room, Timothy Eaton Memorial Church, Carol Welsman, Global Café World Music Festival, Mariposa and Edmonton Folk Festivals, Meadowvale Theatre, Christos Hatzis’s Mystical Visitations for Maryem Tollar’s ensemble in 5.1 surround sound and countless others. She is now enjoying working regularly with Sultans of String.
TAMAR ILANA
Tamar Ilana is of Jewish and Saulteaux-Cree descent and a member of Pasqua First Nation, Treay 4 Territory. She is a powerful and versatile Canadian singer and flamenco dancer, renowned for her ability to sing in multiple languages and collaborate with various artistic communities from around the world. Tamar has recorded three CFMA-nominated albums with her world music fusion project Ventanas, is the lead singer of Jaffa Road, and dances with Sultans of String.
Tamar is also the co-artistic director and co-founder of F to Flamenco and La Cueva, and the Executive and Artistic Director of FabCollab, which she co-founded in 2020, focusing on BIPOC, female-identifying, and minority voices. She previously worked at Luminato Festival Toronto and has created partnerships with organizations such as TO Live, Small World Music, the National Arts Centre, the Aga Khan Museum, the Royal Ontario Museum, among others.
