Two distinct voices in contemporary songwriting: Raul Midón’s solo set blends virtuosic guitar, soulful vocals, and jazz-inflected groove, while Elysia Biro’s trio pairs lyrical songwriting with piano-driven arrangements and a modern jazz sensibility.
“…a one-man band who turns a guitar into an orchestra and his voice into a chorus.” – The New York Times
Blind singer-songwriter and guitarist Raul Midón headlines this double bill with a solo performance that reflects his prolific and genre-spanning career. A GRAMMY-nominated artist, his music blends what he describes as “smooth folk,” alt-pop, and jazz, brought to life through virtuosic guitar work, expressive vocals, and inventive live looping. His latest album, Lost & Found (2024), continues a body of work shaped by collaborations with artists including Herbie Hancock, Sting, and Bill Withers.
Opening the evening, 25-year-old Vancouver Island-born, Los Angeles-based vocalist, songwriter, and virtuosic pianist Elysia Biro performs with her trio. Blending classical technique with modern pop songwriting and live-off-the-floor jazz instrumentation, she draws on influences from Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald to Norah Jones and Joni Mitchell. A Master’s graduate from the University of York, Biro has built a devoted online following—her “Transcription Tuesday” series earning recognition for its technical precision and musical insight. Now signed to Universal Music Canada, her debut EP Running From Nothing is set for release in 2026.
Two distinct sets—Biro with trio, followed by Midón solo—highlight contrasting approaches to song, sound, and storytelling.
About JazzYYC
JazzYYC is Calgary’s jazz collaborative, supporting jazz year around. Whether you’re a jazz musician, a die hard jazz fan or a jazz dabbler, we have something for you. Calgary’s jazz scene is exciting and plentiful where you can find jazz in clubs, restaurants, coffee shops and theatres. If you’re looking for the ultimate music education, jazz is your best bet. Jazz combines the best of book smarts and street smarts and is one of the most requested music choices for Calgary’s corporate and special events. Jazz has many colours ranging from elegant to energized to entertaining. JazzYYC offers an annual concert series (Illuminate), two jazz festivals, International Jazz Days concerts culminating on April 30th, and co-presents concerts totaling a remarkable 175+ shows each year. Our website encourages jazz musicians to get a gig, post a gig and then we support and promote about them through our weekly newsletter and social media channels. JazzYYC encourages community partnership and education programs for young jazz musicians throughout the city with our Youth Lab Band.