The band is led by five-string violinist Chris McKhool, who was raised in a Lebanese-Egyptian household just bursting with music and diversity. Growing up, he was fed a steady diet of delicious musicality alongside Middle Eastern cuisine and violin lessons. At the core of the band’s sound is his bold and fiery fiddle, melded seamlessly with founding guitarist Kevin Laliberté’s rhumba rhythm. Together their musical synergy created Sultans of String’s signature sound — the intimate and playful relationship between violin and guitar.
Added to this rich foundation is bass master Drew Birston.
Sultans of String serves up a musical passport of Celtic reels, flamenco, gypsy-jazz, Arabic, and Cuban rhythms, with fiery violin dances and kinetic guitar, while funky bass lays down unstoppable grooves. Acoustic strings and electronics create layers and depth of sound.
Sultans of String have been criss-crossing North America for the past several years at many tastemaking forums such as NYC’s legendary Birdland, Boston’s Scullers Jazz Club and California’s hip music scene including the San Jose Jazz Festival. They recently sold out with Kingsfield POPS in Maine and Maryland’s Annapolis Symphony. Sultans of String were filmed by MPBN’s Maine Arts! in a feature concert, and have performed live on BBC TV, BBC Radio, Irish National Radio, internationally syndicated shows WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour and World Cafe, and SiriusXM in Washington.
Ticket prices are $25 advance and $28 at door.
FMI: 207-442-8455.
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