Sultans of String’s bring the world to Welland Christmas Caravan
With so much content available at consumers’ fingertips through streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify, world music is a genre that has the potential to attract new fans.
Some of these listeners may even be in the crowd at the Welland-Port Colborne Concert Association’s next show at the Dr. J.M. Ennis Auditorium at Centennial Secondary School in Welland, when the Toronto-based Sultans of String hit the stage.
The five-piece group will also bring four renowned guest singers to accompany them at the concert, part of the association’s current program that is highly respected in the music world, said Chris McKhool, bandleader and violinist with Sultans of String.
“It’s one of the finest concert series’ in the country,” he said in an interview.
“It’s a fantastic audience of really engaged listeners,” added McKhool, reflecting on previous times the group has been on the association’s schedule.
Joining the band will be Rebecca Campbell, Amanda Martinez, Ken Whiteley and Donné Roberts — well-known names in the world, gospel and roots music circuits.
Asked about the popularity of world music today, McKhool feels it’s a genre that people can listen to either fuel their already-existing love for, or become more acquainted with, through the internet.
“We certainly live in a very global environment now, with the entire history of recorded music being available online,” he said.
The band will be playing mostly songs from its sixth album, a holiday-themed release called “Christmas Caravan.”
McKhool also said everyone in attendance should enjoy a wide array of sounds coming from many types of instruments from all over the world, but also look forward to the Sultans being joined by four unique singers.
“To have musicians collaborating in front of them, as an audience member, it’s a really exciting experience,” he said.
The Sultans of String have been performing together for more than 10 years and also have three Juno nominations on their resumé.
This is the third of six local concerts on the 201819 program, which concludes in March.
Sultans of String are also fundraising partners with the United Nations Agency for Refugees in Canada, the world’s leading organization aiding and protecting people forced to flee their homes due to violence, conflict and persecution. Donations can be made at fundraise.unhcr.ca/sultansofstring
People interested in purchasing tickets can visit www.wellandportcolborneconcert.org, call 905-7881648, or email hbelcastro@cogeco.ca. Tickets may also be available at the door for Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. concert. Centennial Secondary School is located at 240 Thorold Rd. West in Welland.