Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruben Moreno.
Hi Ruben, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story begins in the heart of Houston’s 2nd Ward, inside my grandmother’s bar. On Sunday mornings, the jam sessions lit a fire in me that still burns to this day. It might not have been the ideal place to raise a child, but for me, it was a safe environment. It was home. That unusual setting opened my eyes and my heart to art, music, and the world around me. My roots of Louisiana Creole , Chicano , West African , Native indigenous American and European decent can all be felt within my music and performance always .
The elders who gathered there taught me more than just songs—they shared wisdom about culture, community, and social justice. I grew up hearing stories about young Chicanos in the 1950s, their struggles for equality, and the ballrooms and dance halls filled with big band Chicano music, as well as the Creole clubs in French town ,juke joints of Houston’s Third and Fifth Ward. Those lessons helped me understand my identity and gave me the drive to carry it forward.
From an early age, I was committed to creating and performing—not just to entertain, but to tell my story and use music as a tool. Over the years, I’ve blended Zydeco with the soulful sounds of blues, Chicano grooves, and hip-hop. That journey led me to a Certified Gold collaboration on Texas Sun with Khruangbin and Leon Bridges, as well as projects with Baby Bash that bridge classic Zydeco rhythms with contemporary beats.
My latest work shows the same spirit of versatility. At the Trailride: Live at Stubb’s has already passed 175,000 streams across platforms, and my single The Recipe (This Heart) has earned more than one million streams and keeps growing.
From unforgettable nights at New Orleans Jazz Fest to performing for 70,000 people at Austin City Limits Festival, I’ve had the honor of sharing my passion with audiences across the world. Along the way, I’ve toured internationally, competed at the highest levels, and even received congressional recognition for my community work.
Through it all, one thing has stayed true—I carry the timeless spirit of Zydeco, but I play it with the pulse of tomorrow. It all started in my memaw’s bar.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Great things definitely don’t come easy. I’ve faced obstacles from the beginning, Being the youngest member or a young leader is always a challenge .
Feeling like a brown boy from a poor community can be a challenge in itself but it’s never been something that’s held me back.
I always give it my all, I climb to the top of every mountain and am always grateful to climb another . And I can’t do it alone .
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in Gulf Coast Soul and Zydeco. I’m known for the “Zydeco Re-evolution” — blending traditional Creole and Cajun roots with blues, Chicano soul, and hip-hop to create a fresh, modern sound.
I’m proud of staying true to my 2nd Ward roots while taking Zydeco to new stages — from collaborating on the Certified Gold record Texas Sun with Khruangbin and Leon Bridges to performing for 70,000 people at Austin City Limits Festival.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Over the next decade, I see music increasingly shedding its traditional genre boundaries. My ‘Zydeco Re-evolution’ fits right into this moment, blending roots sounds with blues, Chicano grooves, and hip-hop to meet listeners where they are.
At the same time, technology—especially AI—is changing how we create and produce music. It offers new tools but raises critical questions about authorship and artistic integrity. Balancing innovation with my passion for soul will be key.
But amid all that, live music and emotional connection will never lose their power. People still want to feel music in their bones—in a room, under the lights, alongside the community.
And more than ever, songwriters and storytellers are reclaiming the spotlight. My upbringing in my grandmother’s bar taught me that music is, to me, about identity and community. Bringing that authenticity forward as audiences demand deeper connections—that’s what gets me excited about the future.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rubenmoreno.live/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zydecosoul1
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1YFvpe1vxj/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@rubenmorenovevo3087
Image Credits
Haluk Gurer
Raul Rodriguez
Kevin Willoughby
Rick Kern
