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Raul Midon set for Dubai Jazz Festival / The National

The title of Raúl Midón's upcoming album reads like a mission statement, and Bad Ass and Blind is a refrain the soul-funk singer-songwriter repeatedly asserts on the opening title track. It is hard to argue with him. Midón's phenomenal chops, baritone croon and unique one-man-band stage show would indeed colloquially be described as "bad". And the 50-year-old veteran has lived without sight since his time in an incubator shortly after his birth.

Playing solo, Midón has developed a singular style of emulating an entire band without a loop pedal in sight. He plucks acoustic guitar lines with just his left hand, taps a rhythm on the instrument's body with his right, and uses his voice to emulate the sound of a trumpet so convincingly, you will want to check the stage twice. Midon plays the Dubai Jazz Festival on Thursday, Feb 23.

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