Chris McKhool

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Chris McKhool

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| birth_place = Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1968|11|18}}

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| genre = Classical, instrumental, world

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| website = {{URL|sultansofstring.com}}

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Chris McKhool (born November 18, 1968) is a Canadian violinist, producer, guitarist, composer, and singer-songwriter. He has received numerous awards for his work, including three JUNO Award nominations and four Canadian Folk Music Awards for his various recordings.

Biography

Chris McKhool was born in Ottawa and raised in a musical household. He began violin lessons at age 7, and studied classical violin under the tutelage of Joan Milkson of the National Arts Centre Orchestra from 1977 to 1985, as well as performing with the National Capital String Academy and teaching himself to play folk guitar.{{cn|date=April 2025}} In 1985 he moved to Montreal to study at McGill University, obtaining a B.A. in psychology. McKhool moved to Toronto in 1993, studying jazz at York University.{{Cite web|url=https://music.ampd.yorku.ca/|title=Music|access-date=2019-10-31}}

His work has earned three JUNO nominations{{Cite web|url=https://junoawards.ca/artist-profiles/sultans-of-string/|title=Sultans of String|website=The JUNO Awards|access-date=2019-10-31}} and seven Canadian Folk Music Awards.{{Cite web|url=https://folkawards.ca/nominees/|title=Nominees {{!}} Canadian Folk Music Awards|date=25 September 2014|access-date=2019-10-31}}

His compositions have been performed with the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra,{{Cite web|url=https://www.goldstar.com/events/annapolis-md/annapolis-symphony-orchestra-christmas-fiesta-with-the-sultans-of-string-tickets|title=Annapolis Symphony Orchestra: 'Christmas Fiesta' With the Sultans of String|website=Goldstar|access-date=2019-10-31}}{{cn|date=April 2025}} Chicago's Full Score Chamber Orchestra, and the Bangor Symphony{{Cite web|url=https://www.turnerpublishing.net/news/2017/03/14/maine-kingfield-pops-lineup-announced/|title=Bangor Symphony Orchestra, Sultans of String, Ghost of Paul Revere and others to play at Kingfield POPS|last=Publishing|first=Turner|date=2017-03-14|website=Maine News|access-date=2019-10-31}} in the US, as well as with many Canadian symphonies including Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Niagara, North Bay, Windsor, and Kingston Symphony Orchestra.{{cn|date=April 2025}}

In 2013 McKhool was presented with a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal{{Cite web|url=https://www.gg.ca/en/honours/recipients/126-263503|title=Chris McKhool|last=General|first=Office of the Secretary to the Governor|website=The Governor General of Canada|access-date=2019-10-31}} for his work in supporting community and music education programs for at-risk youth, as well as for his dedication to raising awareness of social and environmental issues through music.

In 2004, McKhool co-founded the world music collective Sultans of String,{{Cite web|url=http://sultansofstring.com/|title=Sultans of String|last=String|first=Sultans of|access-date=2019-10-31}} with Kevin Laliberté and Drew Birston, releasing nine albums and winning multiple awards. Other band members have included Rosendo 'Chendy' Leon, and other special guests.

In 2015 McKhool produced the Sultans of String's 5th album with JUNO Award-winning engineer John "Beetle" Bailey, entitled Subcontinental Drift.{{Cite web|url=http://sultansofstring.com/2015/10/subcontinental-drift-recording/|title=Sultans of String Subcontinental Drift|last=String|first=Sultans of|access-date=2019-10-31}} This album was made in collaboration with sitarist Anwar Khurshid; in 2016 the band toured across Canada, the United States and the UK with this formation, showcasing their collaboration. This album reached the Billboard World Music charts{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/world-albums|title=World Music: Top World Albums Chart|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2019-10-31}} in 2017. Subcontinental Drift also received a JUNO Award nomination in the World Music category{{Cite web|url=https://junoawards.ca/nomination/world-music-album-of-the-year-sultans-of-string/|title=WORLD MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR {{!}} Sultans of String|website=The JUNO Awards|access-date=2019-10-31}} as well as their 3rd Canadian Folk Music Award for World Group of the year.

In 2017 McKhool and Bailey co-produced a world music Christmas album with Sultans of String entitled Christmas Caravan. They toured across North America in support of the album, which was included in the New York Times Holiday Hits section{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/29/arts/music/holiday-christmas-pop-music.html|title=Holiday Hits, Christmas Comebacks and Some Jingle Bell Schlock|last1=Pareles|first1=Jon|date=2017-11-29|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-10-31|last2=Caramanica|first2=Jon|issn=0362-4331|last3=Russonello|first3=Giovanni|last4=Ganz|first4=Caryn}} and Spotify's Holiday Albums Hit List,{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/artist/6GUPR8j10gupeAmKJYgP3I|title=Sultans of String|website=Spotify|access-date=2019-10-31}} as well as hitting the Billboard World Music charts at #6.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/sultans-of-string|title=Sultans of String|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2019-10-31}} Special guests included Richard Bona, Paddy Moloney (The Chieftains), Nikki Yanofsky, Ruben Blades, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Alex Cuba, as well as the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. His song "Sing For Kwanzaa" with collaborator Richard Bona won the 2017 Folk Music Ontario: Songs From The Heart Award{{Cite web|url=http://www.folkmusicontario.ca/awards/fmo-award-winners/|title=FMO Award Winners :: Folk Music Ontario|access-date=2019-10-31}} and the 2017 ISC International Songwriting Competition: World category{{Cite web|url=https://songwritingcompetition.com/previouswinners|title=International Songwriting Competition {{!}} The #1 Song Contest for Songwriters|website=songwritingcompetition.com|access-date=2019-10-31}}

McKhool has also performed for young audiences. His 2008 children's album Fiddlefire! won the Canadian Folk Music Award for Children's Album of the Year,{{Cite web|url=https://folkawards.ca/past-years/results-2009/|title=Results 2009 {{!}} Canadian Folk Music Awards|date=26 August 2008|access-date=2019-10-31}} and was nominated for a JUNO Award.{{Cite web|url=https://junoawards.ca/nomination/2009-childrens-album-of-the-year-chris-mckhool/|title=2009 {{!}} Children's Album of the Year {{!}} Chris McKhool|website=The JUNO Awards|access-date=2019-10-31}}

He created the world's largest bicycle bell orchestra in 2008, at Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto with over 800 bell ringers.{{Citation|title=Chris McKhool- creates the world's largest bicycle bell orchestra!|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBCBAqGzM0w|access-date=2019-10-31}}{{Better source needed|date=April 2025}}

Chris McKhool and Sultans of String are fundraising partners with the UNHCR{{Cite web|url=https://www.unhcr.ca/news/sultans-of-string-raise-money-for-refugees/|title=Sultans of String use music to unite people and raise money for refugees|date=2019-01-30|website=UNHCR Canada|access-date=2019-10-31}} and have also fundraised on behalf of the Outreach Foundation to assist refugees both in their homelands and those displaced by war.{{cn|date=April 2025}}

Discography

Sultans of String: Walking Through the Fire (2023)
Sultans of String: Sanctuary (2021)
Sultans of String: Refuge (2020)
Sultans of String: Christmas Caravan (2017)
Sultans of String: Subcontinental Drift (2015)
Sultans of String: Symphony (2013)
Sultans of String: MOVE (September 1, 2011)
Sultans of String: Yalla Yalla (2009)
Chris McKhool: Fiddlefire! (2008)
Sultans of String: Luna (2007)
Chris McKhool: Celebrate! Holidays of the Global Village (2005)
Chris McKhool: Earth, Sea and Air (1996)

Awards and nominations

2025 Burlington Key to the City{{Cite web |date=April 15, 2025 |title=Burlington Residents to be Honoured with Keys to the City |url=https://www.burlington.ca/en/news/burlington-residents-to-be-honoured-with-keys-to-the-city.aspx |url-status=live |access-date=June 2, 2025 |website=City of Burlington}}
2021 Canadian Folk Music Awards winner (with co-producer John 'Beetle' Bailey) for Producer of the Year with Refuge
2021 Canadian Folk Music Awards nominee for Ensemble of the Year with Refuge
2020 Folk Music Ontario-Songwriting Award – Instrumental - "Refuge"
2020 Folk Music Ontario-Songwriting Award – Political - "I Am a Refugee"
2020 Independent Music Award - Instrumental Song of the Year -"The Grand Bazaar"
2020 Independent Music Award - World Music Producer of the Year –Refuge
2019 International Songwriting Competition: Folk semi-finals "Power of the Land"
2019 International Songwriting Competition: performance semi-finals "Power of the Land"
2018 Canadian Folk Music Awards: Producer of the Year nomination for McKhool
2017 New York Times Hits List with Christmas Caravan
2017 Billboard World Music Charts: Christmas Caravan CD hits #6
2017 Canadian Nielsen World Music Charts: Christmas Caravan CD hits #3
2017 Folk Music Ontario: Songs From The Heart Award for "Sing For Kwanzaa" from Christmas Caravan
2017 Folk Music Ontario: Songs From The Heart Award for "Road to Kfarmishki"
2017 ISC International Songwriting Competition: World category for "Sing For Kwanzaa"
2017 JUNO Awards: Nominees for "World Music Album of the Year" for Subcontinental Drift
2017 Billboard World Music Charts: Subcontinental Drift CD hits #15
2016 Canadian Folk Music Awards: World Music Group of the Year
2016 Global Music Awards: World Music/Beats
2015 International Songwriting Competition (ISC) for "Ho Jamalo"
2015 JUNO Awards: Nominees for "Instrumental Album of the Year" for Symphony!{{Cite web|url=https://junoawards.ca/nomination/2015-instrumental-album-of-the-year-sultans-of-string/|title=2015 {{!}} Instrumental Album of the Year {{!}} Sultans of String|website=The JUNO Awards|access-date=2019-10-31}}
2015 Toronto Independent Music Award: World Music{{Cite web|url=https://www.fyimusicnews.ca/articles/2015/10/27/toronto-independent-music-award-winners-announced|title=Toronto Independent Music Award Winners Announced|date=2015-10-27|website=FYIMusicNews|access-date=2019-10-31}}
2014 SIRIUSXM Independent Music Awards Winner: World Group of the Year{{Cite web|url=https://cmw.net/2014-siriusxm-indie-awards-winners-announced/|title=2014 SiriusXM Indie Awards Winners Announced|date=2014-05-12|website=2020 Canadian Music Week|access-date=2019-10-31}}
2014 IMA Independent Music Award Winner : Instrumental Song for "Josie"{{Cite web |date=2014-06-27 |title=Now Hear This! The Winners of The 13th Independent Music Awards |url=https://nowhearthis.bandcamp.com/album/now-hear-this-the-winners-of-the-13th-independent-music-awards |url-status=live |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=Bandcamp |language=en-US}}
2014 IMA Independent Music Vox Pop Award: Music Producer (Chris McKhool) for Symphony!{{Cite web|url=https://independentmusicawards.com/blog/2014/08/12/the-13th-annual-independent-music-awards-vox-pop-winners-announced/|title=THE 13TH ANNUAL INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS VOX POP WINNERS ANNOUNCED|date=2014-08-12|website=Independent Music Awards|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-31}}
2013 ISC International Songwriting Competition: Instrumental category for "Monti's Revenge"
2013 Folk Music Ontario: Songs From The Heart Award for "Monti's Revenge"
2013 Festivals & Events: Performer of The Year
2013 Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for bandleader Chris McKhool
2013 SiriusXM Canadian Indie Awards: Nominee for World Group of the Year{{Cite web|url=http://indies.ca/2013-siriusxm-indies-honour-the-best-in-independent-music-with-awards-and-an-exclusive-headline-performance-by-metric/|title=2013 Indies Honour The Best In Independent Music With Awards And An Exclusive Headline Performance By Metric {{!}} Jim Beam INDIES with INDIE88|access-date=2019-10-31}}
2012 Canadian Folk Music Awards: World Music Group of the Year
2012 Canadian Folk Music Awards: nominees for Instrumental Group & Pushing the Boundaries
2012 Canadian Folk Music Awards: nominee for Producer of the Year (Chris McKhool)
2012 Folk Music Ontario: Songs From the Heart
2012 Festivals & Events: Entertainer of The Year
2011 Ontario Contact: Artist of the Year{{Cite web|url=https://ontariocontact.ca/awards-2011|title=Awards 2011 {{!}} Ontario Contact|website=ontariocontact.ca|access-date=2019-10-31}}
2011 International Acoustic Music Awards: Finalist for Instrumental
2011 Independent Music Awards: 2× Finalist for Instrumental Album & World Beat Album (Yalla Yalla!){{Cite web|url=https://independentmusicawards.com/blog/2011/02/16/10th-annual-independent-music-awards-nominees-announced/|title=10th Annual Independent Music Awards Nominees Announced!|date=2011-02-16|website=Independent Music Awards|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-31}}
2011 ISC International Songwriting Competition: 2× Finalist for Instrumental & World Music
2010 JUNO Awards: Nominees for "Instrumental Album of the Year" (Yalla Yalla!){{Cite web|url=https://junoawards.ca/nomination/2010-instrumental-album-of-the-year-sultans-of-string/|title=2010 {{!}} Instrumental Album of the Year {{!}} Sultans of String|website=The JUNO Awards|access-date=2019-10-31}}
2010 Canadian Independent Music Awards: nominees for Favourite World Artist/Group{{Cite web|url=http://indies.ca/nominees_winners/2010-nomineeswinners/|title=2010 Nominees/Winners {{!}} Jim Beam INDIES with INDIE88|access-date=2019-10-31}}
2009 International Songwriting Competition (ISC): First Place Winners for Instrumental
2009 Canadian Folk Music Awards: triple nominee winning Instrumental Group of the Year (also nominated for Ensemble of the Year and Pushing the Boundaries){{Cite web|url=https://folkawards.ca/past-years/results-2009/|title=Results 2009 {{!}} Canadian Folk Music Awards|date=26 August 2008|access-date=2019-10-31}}
2009 Toronto Exclusive Magazine Awards: 2× Winner for Best Toronto World CD & Artist of the Year
2008 International Songwriting Competition(ISC): Winner - Instrumental
2008 Festivals & Events Ontario: Best Variety Act
2008 Canadian Independent Music Awards: Finalists for Favourite World Music Band
2008 International Independent Music Awards: Finalists for Best World Fusion Song
2007 Musique du Monde Award
2007 Canadian Folk Music Awards: nominees for Best Instrumentalist Group
2007 Ontario Independent Music Awards: Best Song & Best Instrumental
2007 Toronto Independent Music Awards: nominees for World Music Category
2006 Ontario Council of Folk Festivals - Songs of the Heart Competition Finalist
2006 Parents' Choice Award for CD Celebrate! Holidays of the Global Village
2005 Green Toronto Award of Excellence for Earth, Seas & Air Children's Concert
2004 National Jazz Awards nomination (with Club Django, Trad. Jazz)
2004 CIUT-FM Award for Outstanding Musical Accompanist (violin)
1996 Parents' Choice Award for CD Earth, Seas & Air{{cite web|url=http://www.fiddlefire.com/ |title=Chris McKhool - Fiddlefire: Children's environmental and multicultural music & Sultans of String Gypsy-Jazz-Flamenco Violin |publisher=Fiddlefire |accessdate=2012-07-31}}

McKhool's 2008 children's album Fiddlefire! has been nominated for numerous awards, including:

2009 JUNO Award nominee with Fiddlefire!
2009 Canadian Folk Music Awards - Children's Album of the Year with Fiddlefire!
2009 Parents' Choice Award with Fiddlefire!
2009 iParenting Media Award with Fiddlefire!
2009 Canadian Children's Book Centre 'Best of 2009' with Fiddlefire!{{cite web |url=http://onyasoapbox.com/talent/show.php?id=602&name=Fiddlefire+(Canada) |title=Talent :: Fiddlefire (Canada) |publisher=Onya Soapbox |accessdate=2012-07-31 |archive-date=2012-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331053024/http://onyasoapbox.com/talent/show.php?id=602&name=Fiddlefire+(Canada) |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|title=Medicine Wheel Magic Song-writing Workshop|url=http://www.shannonthunderbird.com/singer_and_storyteller.htm|publisher=shannonthunderbird.com|accessdate=12 February 2013|archive-date=2 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102055347/http://www.shannonthunderbird.com/singer_and_storyteller.htm|url-status=dead}}