DOORS @7PM, SHOWTIME @8PM
Blind Singer-Songwriter 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, “his music suggests a three way fusion of Stevie Wonder, Bobby McFerrin and José Feliciano,” New York Times. Midón recently debuted the album’s first single, the uplifting bluesy pop song Keep On Keeping On on the The Jennifer Hudson Show (December 2023).
Joining him on this body of work are his friends, industry veterans, Andres Forero (Hamilton, Phish, U2) Drums & Percussion, Richard Hammond (Hamilton) bass, Federico Pena (Black Lives) keyboards & 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.
Lost & Found, the album’s moniker 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 Raul 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 will be released in April 2024. Physical copies of the album will only be available at his shows on the upcoming U.S. tour beginning in early March.
This marks Midón’s 2nd album released on his own imprint ReKondite ReKords (ReKo ReKo). Eclectic Adventurist was his first, released in November 2022. During the lockdown Raul fulfilled a long-time dream of recording a guitar duets album with some of his favorite guitarists including Lionel Loueke, Romero Lubambo & 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, & 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 Want in the Best Jazz Vocal Category. In 2019 he was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from his alma mater, University of Miami. In 2021 he was given the Disability Rights Ambassador of the Year award, presented to him by his colleague Jason Mraz.
Raul embarks on the U.S. portion of the Lost & Found tour in March 2024.
THE BAND:
Raul Midón - Vocals and Guitar