THE GAZETTE
Wednesday, November 27, 2013 b
Page A-13
Sultan surprise: String artists to rule Mansion at Strathmore stage Canadian quartet brings musical fusion to Montgomery County n
BY
CARA HEDGEPETH STAFF WRITER
Depending on the gig, the Sultans of String can range from a duo to a 60-member ensemble. “A lot of times, Kevin [Laliberté] and I will jump in the Civic and do a duo tour,” said band leader and violinist Chris McKhool. “Sometimes we’ll be out as a trio and then, for really big shows, we go out as a quartet. Once in a while we’ll perform with a symphony orchestra and add 60 players to the mix.” When the Sultans of String perform at the Mansion at Strathmore on Dec. 5, they’ll be a quartet — McKhool on vocals and violin, Laliberté on guitar, Drew Briston on bass and Chendy Leon on percussion. The Strathmore show is the second stop on the ensemble’s mini-tour promoting their fourth album, “Symphony!”
KEVIN KELLY
The Sultans of String (from left): Kevin Laliberté, Eddie Paton (who plays Nylon guitar on “Symphony!”), Drew Briston, Chendy Leon and Chris McKhool. released in September. Other stops include New York City, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. This is only the second visit to the Washington, D.C., area for the Toronto-based Sultans. The band just started touring the U.S. a few years ago, and has recently gained recognition stateside after playing several Folk Alliance Conferences. The Sultans of String have already developed a following in their native Canada for their style of musical fusion featuring a blend of Spanish Flamenco, Arabic folk, Cuban rhythms, Celtic sounds and French Gypsy Jazz. The son of a pianist, McK-
hool grew up listening to classical music. His mother, who also taught piano out of the family’s home, wanted McKhool and his two older siblings to play a musical instrument. “My older brother and sister were already playing the piano so [my mom] thought it would be good for [me] to play the violin,” McKhool said. By high school, McKhool had started listening to Joni Mitchell and Neil Young and had even begun teaching himself folk songs on the guitar. When he moved to Toronto, McKhool said he started listening to violinists like Hugh Marsh
who were pushing the boundaries on the violin. “Hugh Marsh ... he was the first violinist I heard playing alternative violin styles,” McKhool said. “It almost sounded more like a horn player, or a sax player than a violinist.” The Sultans of String formed six years ago, though their unofficial introduction was practically a mistake. “I met Kevin and Drew about 10 years ago but in a different context,” McKhool said. “Kind of a jazz group context. I was leading a jazz quartet ... and I heard Kevin warming up on his guitar, playing Rumba and Flamenco.” McKhool was immediately intrigued. “The first time hearing it was pretty exciting,” he said. “It was my first time really hearing a Rumba rhythm kind of up close and personal. I had heard it on the radio.” Soon, McKhool, Laliberté and Briston were playing together at a small venue in Toronto. “Not that many people were listening to us, so we had a lot of freedom,” McKhool said. “We spent most of the time making
music up on the spot; spontaneous composition. And some of these songs that we made up on the spot have become some of our greatest songs.” The Sultans of String have recorded four albums, the latest a “roots classical crossover” featuring a hand-picked symphony orchestra. “[It’s] a 55-piece pick-up symphony orchestra,” McKhool said. “We cherry-picked our favorite players.” According to McKhool, the Sultans of String, who have been hailed “Canada’s ambassadors of musical diversity,” are always interested in trying new sounds. Living in Toronto it’s very easy tohearsomanydifferentstylesand influences from around the world, McKhool said. “We really like to tell stories through our music about the people we meet and the places we travel to ... [There’s] a lot of experimentation involved. We really enjoy doing a lot of listening.” In addition to a childhood
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Scott Fitzgerald Theater
603 Edmonston Dr. Rockville, MD 20851
240-314-8690
www.rockvillemd.gov/theatre
The Nutcracker 2013 Presented by Rockville Civic Ballet December 7 & 14 at 2pm and 7:30pm
Tickets $17 to $13
1894397
1912127
December 8 & 15 at 2pm 1905477
1906284
SULTANS OF STRING n When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 n Where: The Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda n Tickets: $20 n For information: 301-5815100, strathmore.org, sultansofstring.com
filled with classical music, McKhool said he was also raised on “Canadian values” including tolerance and acceptance. The upbringing has helped shaped his approach to music. “I think it’s really about listening ... instead of trying to change a situation ...” he said. “The best thing we can do as musicians is give a voice to all kinds of music and musicians we think are underrepresented or under-recorded.” chedgepeth@gazette.net