Opening Doorz

By Our Correspondent | Opening Doorz Editorial | February 24, 2017

After Sir Tom Jones on Wednesday, it was the turn of the award-winning singer, songwriter and record producer Mariah Carey to woo Dubai at the on-going Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival. Fans who were eagerly anticipating her performance gave her a rousing welcome after the opening act by Raul Midon.

The 46-year-old singer performed her classic hits including Hero, We Belong Together and Always be my Baby and her new song I don’t. The superstar, who wore a sparkly ensemble by LaBourjoisie, also honored George Michael with a poignant tribute of One More Try.

Carey also sang the ballad My All, and then introduced Trey Lorenz, her back-up singer, with whom she performed the super hit song, I’ll Be There, unplugged, one of the biggest hits of her career.

Raul Midon who opened the act for Carey is termed as a “one-man band who turns a guitar into an orchestra and his voice into a chorus.”  Singer-songwriter and guitarist Midon has collaborated with musical geniuses like Herbie Hancock and Stevie Wonder, along with contributing to recordings by Jason Mraz, Queen Latifah and Snoop Dogg and the soundtrack to Spike Lee’s She Hate Me.

The New Mexico native, blind since birth, has released seven albums since 1999, including the hit studio productions State of Mind (Manhattan/EMI, 2005), A World Within a World (Manhattan/EMI, 2007) and Synthesis (Decca/Universal, 2009).

The night also witnessed two secondary stages presenting the Anghami Sessions that showcased exceptional local and regional talents, Blu Fiefer and Mougleta.

Today, Enrique Iglesias takes the stage, bringing the curtains down on the Jazz Fest at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre.