The New York Times has called Raul Midón “a one-man band who turns a guitar into an orchestra and his voice into a chorus.” As it happens, the artist’s tenth career album If You Really Want (released 9/14 via Artistry Music/Mack Avenue) is a fully orchestrated affair recorded with the world–renown Metropole Orkest and conductor/arranger Vince Mendoza. “So many of the songs go to places on the new album that I’d never imagined before, like with ‘Sunshine (I Can Fly),” says Raul Midón. “I had recorded that song on both studio and live albums before, but the new arrangement feels so different, so exciting, so epic – the ultimate version of the song, I think.” This week at Jazz Standard, this gifted performer will breathe new life into his compositions in two intimate settings, performing solo on December 27–28 and with his trio on December 29–30.
Raul Midón – guitar, vocals
Richard Hammond – bass
Lionel Cordew – drums