Raul Midón - who critics have compared to Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, and Donny Hathaway - may be the most compelling "triple threat" to come along in years, a show-stopping guitarist, brilliant pop/soul/jazz vocalist, and a remarkable, outspoken songwriting talent.
He is not one to sit still for long. While he is known for his mind blowing solo performances, over the past year he has expanded his musical arsenal to include The Raul Midon Trio, a trio, which features Richard Hammond on bass and Lionel Cordew on drums will make its European debut this fall. "The trio is part of my quest to create music that blends the art of songwriting with spontaneous interactive jazz improvisation."
Raul Midón is the very embodiment of an "outlier" - he made the most of his unique circumstances - and he practiced like hell. Raul and his twin brother Marco both lost their vision as newborns when they were placed in hospital incubators without proper eye protection. Another tragedy befell them at age 4, when their mother died. But their father, an acclaimed Argentinean dancer, instilled in his boys a strong work ethic, and they both achieved extraordinary success. "Raul was very disciplined as a kid," brother Marco says. "At six or seven years old, he practiced guitar 7 or 8 hours a day…Dad said there's nothing that you can't do."
Search for "Raul Midón" on YouTube and you'll find a clip of the New York-based vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter appearing on Later... With Jools Holland in 2006. Performing "State of Mind," the title track from his 2005 debut album, Midón unleashes a silky, soulful tenor and dazzling percussive guitar style - a syncopated, flamenco- and jazz-infused approach in which bass, harmony, and melodic lines emanate from the fretboard in one slap-happy storm.
Raul Midón - State of Mind video:
If that weren't enough, Midón busts out his improvisational mouth horn technique, in which he creates a bebop "trumpet" solo entirely with his lips, earning himself a spontaneous burst of mid-song applause from the audience in the process. It's a virtuosic performance, and one that reveals what has made Midón such an exciting artist to watch over the past few years.
When musicians play together and are open to each others individual and unique playing styles, what you get is a kind of collective ensemble improvisation reminiscent of New Orleans jazz. When you combine this with original songwriting you can begin to imagine what you'll hear with this trio.
October will kick off the Raul Midón Trio Tour featuring Raul, Richard Hammond and Lionel Cordew. The outfit will complete a 6 date run in Europe beginning 17th October.
"Breathtakingly good, Raul Midón is on his way to household-name status. The rooms can only get bigger." - Evening Standard
2011 World Tour Dates:
(Dates and information subject to change.)
October 2011
7/10/2011
Aruba Jazz Festival
The Duwala Malambo Project featuring Raul Midón & Richard Bona
Oranjestad
Aruba
17/10/2011
Union Chapel
Raul Midon Trio
London
United Kingdom
18/10/2011
The Glee Club (Birmingham)
Raul Midon Trio
Birmingham
United Kingdom
21/10/2011
Bratislava Jazz Days
Raul Midon Trio
Bratislava
Slovakia
22/10/2011
Oosterpoort
Raul Midon Trio
Groningen
Netherlands
23/10/2011
Melkweg
Raul Midon Trio
Amsterdam
Netherlands
25/10/2011
Tivoli de Helling
Raul Midon Trio
Utrecht
Netherlands
26/10/2011
ewz-Unterwerk Selnau
Zurich
Switzerland
28/10/2011
Kampnagel Hall
Hamburg
Germany
29/10/2011
Nefertiti Jazz Club
Goteborg
Sweden
30/10/2011
Jazz Club Fasching
Stockholm
Sweden
November 2011
1/11/2011
Teatro Tempo
Algarve
Portugal
2/11/2011
TMN Ao Vivo
Lisboa
Portugal
4/11/2011
Teatro Avenida
Castelo Branco
Portugal
5/11/2011
Cine - Teatro de Alcobaca
Alcobaca
Portugal
7/11/2011
AVO Session
Basel
Switzerland
19/11/2011
Highline Ballroom
New York
New York / United States
Further dates throughout 2012.
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Buy Tickets here: London | Birmingham
For the latest tour dates, music and further information go to:
Raul Midon Official Website
Raul Midon Facebook
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Raul Midon Twitter
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