RAUL MIDÓN

RAUL MIDON

January 9 , 2025

Two Shows 7pm and 9pm

“Raul Midón lives in a world of sound.”
—Felix Contreras, NPR Tiny Desk

“...a one-man band who turns a guitar into an orchestra and his voice into a chorus.”
—The New York Times

Blind singer-songwriter and guitarist Raul Midón is nothing if not prolific. His 14th and latest album Lost & Found is a blend of what he calls “smooth folk,” “alt-pop,” and “jazz.” A master at combining genres, the New York Times says “his music suggests a three way fusion of Stevie Wonder, Bobby McFerrin and José Feliciano.” Midón debuted the album’s first single, the uplifting bluesy pop song “Keep On Keeping On,” on The Jennifer Hudson Show in December of 2023.

Joining him on this body of work are his friends and industry veterans: Andres Forero (Hamilton, Phish, U2), drums and percussion; Richard Hammond (Hamilton), bass; Federico Pena (Black Lives), keyboards and piano.

The anthemic “Next Time,” a “galloping rock waltz” is a co-write with New York fixture Mike Errico, who plays on it as well. String arrangements were provided by Andrew Sherman.

The album’s moniker “Lost & Found,” which Midón calls “smooth folk” or folk with harmonic surprises, is a celebration of redemption. The lyrics were inspired by his listening to Bob Dylan’s reading of his poem, “Last Thoughts On Woody Guthrie.”

“When We Remember” is a country-tinged song that includes a stint of Midón playing banjo. He might have reached out to Bela Fleck, but he’s held his own here and he does it from the comfort of his basement studio. To do this, Midón has had to learn the art of engineering. The technology for the blind is not consistent and it’s a constant struggle, one he continues to confront on a daily basis. He’s been assisted here by New York recording engineer, Michael O’Reilly, whom he met while making his major label debut State of Mind under the careful eye of legendary producer Arif Mardin. Raul has worked with “Mike” extensively on many albums since those early days, including the Grammy®-nominated Bad Ass and Blind.

“A Condition of Love,” co-written with Ethiopian R&B artist Wayna, is a smoldering philosophical love song. “The Ganga Song” is a bouncy ska-ish take on the latest cannabis craze.

This compilation of ten original songs was released in April of 2024. Physical copies of the album are only available at his shows on the upcoming U.S. tour.

This marks Midón’s second album released on his own imprint ReKondite ReKords (ReKo ReKo). Eclectic Adventurist was his first, released in November of 2022. During the lockdown, Midón fulfilled a longtime dream of recording a guitar duets album with some of his favorite guitarists including Lionel Loueke, Romero Lubambo, and Mike Stern. From popular Letterman bass guitarist Will Lee, “Eclectic Adventurist is a great surprise at every turn—a beautifully performed, meticulously recorded collection of gorgeous interplayfulness.” Eclectic Adventurist is now available on vinyl in limited quantities.

He has worked with countless legends in the industry including Bill Withers, Herbie Hancock, and Sting. In 2022 he paid tribute to Joni Mitchell with the National Symphony Orchestra, arranged and conducted by Vince Mendoza at the Kennedy Center alongside Lalah Hathaway, Jimmie Herrod & Renee Fleming (PBS’ Next at the Kennedy Center). He received two Grammy® nominations back-to-back in 2017 and 2018 for his albums Bad Ass and Blind and If You Really Wantin the Best Jazz Vocal Category. In 2019 he was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from his alma mater, the University of Miami. In 2021 he was given the Disability Rights Ambassador of the Year award, presented to him by his colleague Jason Mraz.

Event Venue

South Jazz Club / Unscripted Jazz Series, 600 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, United States