On Saturday, February 8, the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra will be joined by “Canada’s ambassadors of musical diversity”, the three time JUNO nominated, Billboard charting, Sultans of String.  The Sultans join the orchestra for an evening of Celtic Reels, Flamenco, Gypsy-Jazz, Arabic, Cuban, and South Asian rhythms, celebrating musical fusion and human creativity with warmth and virtuosity. Special guests include Anwar Khurshid, an internationally recognized sitar master whose music has been featured in the Oscar-winning film, Life of Pi, and Shannon Thunderbird, a proud descendant of the northern British Columbia Coast Tsimshian People, and renowned storyteller and singer/songwriter. Regularly priced tickets start at $45. Special pricing is available for seniors, families, and patrons under 26. Complimentary underground parking is included with every ticket purchase. To buy, call: 906-306-6000, or visit: mississaugasymphony.ca

A Canadian string super-group, Sultans of String includes 5-string violinist and JUNO Award nominee Chris McKhool – who has guest starred with Jesse Cook and Pavlo. McKhool’s unbridled passion for exploring rhythms and melodies has led him to the far corners of the world, and he incorporates instruments and styles from far and wide into his music. Drawing from a collective of master musicians, Sultans of String have brought their unique blend of Global music to audiences around the world including Celtic Connections Festival in the U.K., Birdland Jazz Club in NYC, Canada’s National Arts Centre, Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre, and symphony orchestras throughout North America. Sultans of String include founding guitarist Kevin Laliberté (Jesse Cook), bass master Drew Birston (Chantal Kreviazuk), guitarist Eddie Paton (Robert Michaels), and Cuban percussionist, Chendy Leon.

Since forming over 10 years ago, the music of Sultans of String has hit #6 on Billboard’s world music charts, #1 across Canada on Top 10 national radio charts, and landed the New York Times Christmas Hits list. They’ve also received multiple awards and accolades, including 1st place in the ISC (out of 15,000 entries), 4 Canadian Folk Music Awards, and a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (for bandleader Chris McKhool). They have also performed/recorded with such luminaries as The Chieftains, Alex Cuba, Sweet Honey in The Rock, and Ruben Blades. Sultans of String’s symphonic 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).

About the Special Guests

Anwar Khurshid
Internationally recognized sitar master Anwar Khurshid, whose music has been featured in the Oscar-winning film Life of Pi, has performed in Europe, North America and across Asia.  Transcending categorization, Anwar pioneers innovative collaborations with musicians from other genres, including blues, jazz, African, Middle Eastern, Japanese and Chinese music.  Anwar’s love of music is contagious, and he loves to share this passion in his other role as director of the Sitar School of Toronto.

Shannon Thunderbird
Shannon Thunderbird is proudly descended from the northern British Columbia Coast Tsimshian People: Gilut'sau Band of the Royal House of Niis'gumiik, Gispudwada (Orca) Clan. She is an Artist/Educator, Professional Singer/Songwriter, Recording Artist (“May Your Spirit Be Strong”, “Wind Centre”), Actor and Author. She is also a well-known Speaker/Storyteller; her fireside talks and original music opens the minds and hearts of audiences to the power, importance and majesty of Canada's First People.

About the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra
The MSO is designated as one of Mississauga’s six pillars of arts, culture and heritage. The orchestra offers entertaining and increasingly sophisticated programs from the classic and popular repertoires of symphonic music, all performed to the highest artistic standards. Based out of Hammerson Hall, a world-class performing arts facility located within the Living Arts Centre, the MSO provides performance opportunities and personal development to talented amateurs while combining the strands of excellence and education by assisting young professional performers and composers through solo performance opportunities, commissions and mentoring.
The MSO can be found online at: mississaugasymphony.ca on Facebook at: facebook.com/mississaugasymphony; on Instagram at: @MSymph, and on Twitter at: @MSymph.