Raul Midon vokal, gitar / vocal,guitar

A world star in the 17th International Ankara Jazz Festival! A silky tenor, one of the last discoveries of Arif Mardin, a guitar master Raul Midon is in Ankara for the first time. He is 'a free man beyond any category' who 'plays with such freedom and joy that his hands smile'. Do not miss the performance of Raul Midon, a one man band. We appreciate the support of The Embassy of the United States.

Song writer and guitarist Raul Midon has earned reputation with his personal and experimental vocals and percussive guitar techniques. Midon has worked with legends like Herbie Hancock and Stevie Wonder, and contributed to the albums of Queen Latifah, Snoop Dog and Jason Mraz. He has recorded seven albums since 1999, among which are State of Mind (2005), A World within a World (2007) and Synthesis (2009). His last album, a live and sincere concert recording, Invisible Chains - Live from NYC is released in 2012. Sight disabled artist Raul Midon, by the help of a software for the blind, is also going to be the producer of his upcoming studio album.

'I don't believe that blindness makes you a better musician,' Midon says. 'I think perhaps it focuses you in a very pragmatic way. I knew I had limited job possibilities, but the Midons don't believe in backup plans - like, 'Do music, but get your teaching degree in case it doesn't work out.' That's never been our modus operandi. I knew that I had this talent, so blindness focused me on developing that talent. But I don't think it made me play better. After all, most of the great musicians I know can see.' Raul Midon