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American singer Raul Midon performs at Baekam Art Hall, March 5-6 |
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
The name Raul Midon may not ring a bell. But try searching for Midon's live performances on YouTube and you'll wonder why he's not yet a superstar.
Midon is literally a one-man band on stage, armed with his distinctive soulful voice, while his fingers work magic on a guitar. When you have the immense talent of this man, a voice and guitar is all you need.
``I've always been a musician. I think music chooses you,'' Midon told The Korea Times. The 41-year-old blind singer has earned rave reviews for his first two albums, 2005's ``A State of Mind'' and 2007's ``A World Within a World."
Being blind never stopped Midon from pursuing his dream as a musician. Midon and his twin brother were born in Embudo, New Mexico, to his Argentinean father and African-American mother. They became blind as babies, when they were placed in an incubator without proper protection for the eyes.
Midon learned to play drums when he was four years old, and began playing the guitar when he was six years old. Later, he was accepted in the University of Miami's jazz program. After college, he started singing backup for stars such as Shakira, Alejandro Sanz, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera and Ricky Martin.
Did he consider being blind an obstacle to pursuing a career in music? ``No, I think it is an asset. I think being blind helped me to focus and direct my life better. I knew what I could and couldn't do and with lots of practice I became good at it,'' he said.
Midon writes and composes his own music, which he describes as a mix of ``eclectic, genre-jumping, pop, jazz fusion.'' His unique guitar-playing skills have also attracted a lot of attention.
``I absorbed a lot of techniques from studying classical, flamenco and jazz guitar. Then I started breaking the rules of those traditions and came up with something that was my own,'' he explained.
Midon has been compared to Donnie Hathaway and another blind superstar musician, Stevie Wonder. He is flattered to be compared to his idols, saying that this only pushes him to become a better musician.
Midon is grateful for the chance to work with Wonder, who played the harmonica on ``Expressions of Love,'' from his debut album. He recalled how his album producer, the late Grammy-award winning producer Arif Mardin, pushed him to write a letter to Wonder, in Braille, and ask him to play in the album.
``I wrote a letter and Arif, who is Stevie's friend, followed it up with a call and it all worked out. I can never repay the debt of that generous act. I was unknown and he extended himself. I am very grateful. He is, as you'd imagine, an extremely generous person, kind and of course, supremely talented,'' he said.
When asked about his future plans, Midon said he is working on his next album and performing in concerts around the world. ``I'd like to change the world but for now I'll just keep playing music,'' he said.
Midon is looking forward to his first trip to Seoul next month. ``I hope to bring to (Korea) a positive musical experience. I will do my best to be as creative as possible on stage and maybe I'll play some new songs never heard before,'' he said.
Midon will hold two concerts, organized by Private Curve, at Baekam Art Hall, March 5-6. Baekam Art Hall is a three-minute walk from Samseong Station Subway Line 2, Exit 8.
Tickets are 77,000 won and 66,000 won. Visit ticket.interpark.com. Call (02) 563-0595 or email info@privatecurve.com for English inquiries.
cathy@koreatimes.co.kr | |
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