[musictlk] New Mexico Musician

[David Andrews]

NEW MEXICO MAGAZINE – June, 2006

A Visit With
Raul Midon
Embudo Roots Inspire Recording Star

Raul Midon’s album “State of Mind” catapulted the 
Embudo native into the international music 
spotlight, garnering him global media attention 
as well as brisk CD  sales and extensive radio 
play.  The talented singer/guitarist – now based 
in New York City- has spent several months touring in Japan and Europe.

It seems improbable that a world-class musician 
would be born in a small northern New Mexico 
village. But Midon’s journey has been even more 
challenging than most people can imagine.  Both 
he and his twin brother, Marco, are blind. They 
also suffered a devastating loss when their 
mother dies when they were just four years old. 
Midon, however, credits much of his success to 
his New Mexico roots and the unwavering support 
of his father and friends in the Land of Enchantment.

He was eager to share his thoughts with our readers.

NMM: I caught you on the “Jimmy Kimmel Live” TV 
show. You can imagine my excitement when it was 
announced that you were from Embudo. Your father 
was from Argentina and your mother was from New 
York. How did they choose to live in Embudo?
RM: My mother’s best friend, Bonnie, inherited a 
house in Embudo along the Rio Grande – we call it 
the river house. Sandra, my mother, was 
vacationing there when my parents met. They had 
what I call an instantaneous connection. They 
fell in love and stayed at the river house. At 
the time my dad was touring as an Argentine 
folkloric dancer. My mother stayed in Embudo, and 
he would travel and return there until we came 
along, at which time he gave up touring to raise his family.
NMM: Your father still lives in New Mexico. Did 
you grow up speaking Spanish and English? And how 
did your father influence you musically?
RM: My father is a dancer by nature, he still 
dances the tango for pleasure today but was an 
Argentinean folkloric dancer by profession. We 
grew up speaking both Spanish and English. The 
very first music I fell in love with was 
Argentinean folkloric music, but my dad had us 
listen to all kinds of music, especially jazz, classical and flamenco music.
NMM: I’ve read that you first went to a school 
for the blind. Was that the one in Alamogordo?
RM: Yes, my brother, Marco, and I attended the 
New Mexico School for the Visually Handicapped in Alamogordo.
NMM: You then attended Santa Fe Prep through an 
anonymous benefactor. How did your schooling here help shape your future?
RM: I realized that we weren't getting the 
education we needed at NMSVH, because I was class 
president and traveled around to different 
schools in New Mexico and sat in on their 
classes. I knew we wouldn't be ready for college 
with the level of education we had up until then. 
A friend of ours, Billy Bird, was attending Santa 
Fe Prep, and he invited us to visit the school. I 
was terrified when I realized that we were 
missing out on. The teachers at Prep made an 
effort to teach us both that day even though it 
was only a visit. It was a dream come true that 
weekend when my father received a phone call from 
the headmaster inviting us to attend the school. 
Apparently, someone who wishes to remain 
anonymous paid our way for two years.  I don't 
know what would have happened without the 
education we received at Prep
.I think Prep fed 
my love of literature and academia enough to help 
it thrive. To this day I get enormous pleasure 
out of reading and discussions, although I find 
less and less people are having discussions.
NMM: On the CD liner notes you thank two New 
Mexicans: classical guitarist Robert Bluestone 
and jazz guitarist Bruce Dunlap. Did you study with them here?
RM: Yes, I did study first with Robert Bluestone 
and then Bruce Dunlap while in New Mexico. Robert 
Bluestone gave me a strong foundation in 
classical guitar. As a result when I went to the 
University of Miami I was a classical guitar 
major. I went to Bruce because I really wanted to 
be a jazz player. Bruce was an intense teacher. 
He may not remember, but he always used to way, 
“playing fast is a state of mind Raul” in his 
very soft-spoken way. He may be responsible for 
the title track on my album, which is fast and titled “State of Mind.”
NMM: You spent years studying music in college, 
yet your playing style is definitely unusual. How 
would you describe your guitar style?
RM: It’s an attempt to play percussion on the 
guitar. It reflects my deep interest in 
percussive music and also in pop melodies and jazz harmony.
NMM: Your vocal technique is awesome, from a 
searing ballad to your own stylized mouth trumpet 
riffs. Do you have any inspirations for that 
style or were you one of those kids who just 
loved to imitate all kinds of sounds?
RM: I loved sounds as a kid. I used to play to 
the beat of the car wheels when my father was 
driving. My father put a conga in front of me 
when I was a baby – 2 or 3 years old. There’s a 
photo of it somewhere. I’m on a high chair and 
playing the conga. I also imitated things in a 
singsong way. I got in trouble in school when a 
teacher said, “Get in line and go to lunch,” and 
I sang it back. The horn developed from my love 
of jazz. In college one of my buddies who is a 
professional trumpet player, John Bailey, and I 
used to practice scales and riffs together. I 
treat it very seriously – it’s not a gimmick 
although to some people it might seem like it.
NMM: Your brother, who is also blind, has 
excelled in his field. Can you tell us a little about him?
RM: My brother is a genius. People say I’m smart 
but I learned a lot from him. He is my scout. If 
there’s an electronic piece of equipment we both 
want – he gets it first and then teaches me. When 
I was very young he could see a bit and he guided 
me around or pulled me in a wagon. He’s always 
there for me now – electronically – although as a 
research scientist at NASA his time is precious. 
He is working on a project called the Solar 
Dynamic Observatory. I’m very proud of his 
accomplishments. It’s not easy being an engineer. 
The fact that he’s a blind engineer is even more 
impressive. He is also very musically inclined, 
and someday we might take the show on the road.
NMM: All of your songs on “State of Mind” have 
universal themes that touch people’s hearts and 
souls. Are there any that relate in any way to your life in Embudo?
RM: Embudo is a part of me. I was conceived 
there, born there and my father still lives 
there. I have a freedom there that I don't have 
anywhere else on the planet – it’s home to me. So 
in that regard all of my music is an extension of 
my feelings and sense of Embudo. All of “State of 
Mind” speaks about Embudo specifically. The 
river, the smells, my father who helps make 
Embudo what it is – it’s all in my music. I still 
go there to relax and get back in touch with that.
Photo Caption: Raul Midon has spent much of this 
year touring in Japan and Europe. His 
performances have garnered glowing reviews in 
both London and Paris. For a schedule, log on to 
<http://www.raulmidon.com/>www.raulmidon.com .



David Andrews and white cane Harry.