Raul Midón, the “genre-blending,” two-time Grammy-nominated guitarist, vocalist, and soulful songwriter whose signature “vocal horn” has earned global acclaim. He will perform on Saturday, Sept. 5th at the John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival. Midón has built a career that blends soul, jazz, Latin rhythms, and acoustic virtuosity into a sound entirely his own.
Genre-Defying
Blind since an infant, Midón has often been described as a “one-man band.” Midón first captivated audiences worldwide with his breakthrough album “State of Mind,” produced by the legendary Arif Mardin. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, the album is still a touchstone of modern soul and jazz. Over the years, he has collaborated with a remarkable range of artists, from Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, and Marcus Miller to Snoop Dogg and Roberta Flack. His 14th album, “Lost & Found” (2024), is a collection of ten original songs he describes as “smooth folk” — a genre-blending mix of alt-pop, jazz, and folk with rich harmonic detail. A thematic reflection on redemption, the album draws inspiration in part from Bob Dylan’s “Last Thoughts on Woody Guthrie.”
Grammy Times Two
Working largely from his home studio, Midón continues to expand his craft as both musician and engineer, navigating the challenges of recording as a blind artist with determination and innovation. “Eclectic Adventurist” (2022), was released on Midón’s own label, ReKondite ReKords. The album features guitar duets with artists such as Lionel Loueke, Romero Lubambo, and Mike Stern. Throughout his career, Midón has collaborated with iconic artists including Bill Withers, Herbie Hancock, Terence Blanchard, and Spike Lee. Midón earned his first Grammy nomination for “Bad Ass and Blind,” in the category of Best Jazz Vocal Album. His second nomination came in the same. category the next year for “If You Really Want,” an album recorded with the Metropole Orkest.
