Chris McKhool, one of Canada’s most beloved musicians for children and families, is inviting young listeners to clap, prowl, soar, and splash with his new single “Animal Samba,” out now and the first taste of his forthcoming album Global Dance Party! arriving Nov. 6. Coming off a Juno nomination for his 2025 release Little Leaf, Chris continues a three-decade mission of creating joyful, inclusive music that gets kids moving while sparking genuine curiosity about the natural world.
“Animal Samba” wastes no time putting bodies in motion, opening with a call to hand percussion and flamenco style palmas before launching into a musical safari through the animal kingdom. Listeners are asked to stalk and pounce like a cat, spring into the sky alongside ravens, and dive like a great blue whale, with Chris singing lines like “our whiskers are our radars, we have super silent paws.” The song’s blend of samba-inspired rhythm and playful, movement-driven storytelling reflects Chris’ gift for turning a singalong into a lesson in wonder.
The track brings together a deep bench of collaborators, with Kevin Laliberté on guitars, keyboards, and programming, Saskia Tomkins on cello, Drew Birston on bass, horns from Doug Banwell, Kevin Turcotte and William Carn, and percussion work from Marito Marques rounding out the arrangement. The song was produced by Chris, Kevin, and Grammy winning engineer John “Beetle” Bailey and mixed in Dolby Atmos, giving the recording an immersive, room filling quality suited to both classroom and home listening.
Chris’ credentials speak to a career built on both artistry and impact. A Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal recipient, two-time Juno nominee, and multiple Canadian Folk Music Award winner, he has performed for more than a million children across North America and has appeared on Mr. Dressup, YTV’s Treehouse, and CBC. Little Leaf, his most recent full-length album, earned him a 2026 Juno nomination for Children’s Album of the Year, following an earlier nomination for FiddleFire!
Global Dance Party! continues to unfold with “Party in the Street” released as the second single on Sept. 11 and “On Halloween” arriving Oct. 9 ahead of a full album release on Nov. 6. Chris will bring the new material to families across Ontario and beyond throughout the fall, with stops that include a Halloween-themed CD release celebration in Toronto on Oct. 30.
Known to many as Canada’s greatest eco-troubadour for young people, Chris has spent three decades using world instruments and heartfelt songwriting to bring cultures and generations together on stage. With “Animal Samba,” he offers families an early glimpse of an album built for dancing, learning, and discovering just how alive the natural world can feel through music.
See Chris live:
Sep. 19 – Meridian Arts Centre, North York ON
Sep. 26 – Burlington Performing Arts Centre, Burlington ON
Oct. 30 – Kingston Road Village Arts Centre (Halloween Bash), Toronto ON
Nov. 29 – artsPlace Canmore, Canmore AB
Dec. 13 – Mississauga Living Arts Centre, Mississauga ON
