Raul Midón has always operated outside of traditional genres. When asked to describe his sound, he says, “retro-Latin-soul-pop-acoustic-rhythmic.”
“Retro in the sense that it’s me playing, there’s no programming, no tracks,” he adds. “I would have been perfectly at home in the 60s playing and singing in a coffeehouse somewhere.”
The American multi-instrumentalist and his twin brother were blinded as infants due to inadequate eye protection in their hospital incubators.
It has given him a rich inner life that he expresses through music, he says.
Midón first picked up bongo drums at aged four. Today, he is a celebrated artist known for his virtuosic guitar playing, unique “mouth trumpet” solos and percussive style.
Throughout his career, Midón has collaborated with iconic artists including Bill Withers, Herbie Hancock, Spike Lee, Queen Latifah, Snoop Dogg and Jason Mraz. He played guitar in Shakira’s backing band. Two of his albums have been nominated for a Grammy in the Best Jazz Vocal Album category.
Today we find him in his Maryland home studio, where he records and produces much of his work. Midón is working on songs for two future albums, including a “winter holiday record.”
It’s not a Christmas album, he says. “I don’t think the world needs an album of me singing the songs that have been recorded hundreds of times. I’ll do one or two of those but I’m writing my own holiday music, that’s the idea.”
It feels a bit odd, focusing on wintery feelings in June, he says, but he likes the challenge.
“There are devices in music, not just lyrics, that suggest certain things. It gets a little tricky. How do you depict snow in music? How do you depict wind?”
One of Midón’s ongoing fascinations is the concept of time. “I can’t seem to write enough songs involving time,” he says.
He’s currently creating a song for the non-holiday album with three characters: Yesterday, Long Ago, and Now.
“That’s my weird creative thinking,” he laughs.
“I’ve always done things that were a little bit outside of the box. I’ve sort of accepted the fact that I’m not exactly in a mainstream box and so I might as well just do what I want,” he says.
His unique style has gained him fans worldwide.
“I love talking to people afterwards and hearing how the music has affected them in their life,” he says. “Some people are really profoundly affected by what you do as an artist and that’s something to keep in mind when despair creeps in.”
Albertan music lovers can look forward to this at his upcoming live shows.
“I’m looking forward to going to Canada,” Midón says. “I’ve always enjoyed going there.”
Raul Midón plays the Edmonton International Jazz Fest on June 24 and JazzYYC Summer Festival on June 25. Details can be found on his website.
“Letting Go”
