Doors 4pm, Music 7:30pm

Ruben Moreno and the Zydeco Re-Evolution

Ruben Moreno is one of the top Zydeco artists in the vibrant music scene of Houston TX, where he was born and raised.

 Ruben Moreno is a musical alchemist whose Zydeco journey began at the tender age of 7, when the rhythmic patter of a washboard first sparked his creative fire. By 10, he was lighting up the stage at Austin’s iconic Continental Club with Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Roadrunners, setting the tone for a career that blends tradition with innovation.

 Mentored by legends like Leroy Thomas, C.J. Chenier, and Andre Thierry, Ruben quickly emerged as the youngest gem in C.J. Chenier’s Red-Hot Louisiana Band. His 2011 debut solo album, Por Ti Volare, produced by Thierry, soared like a phoenix, earning accolades from icons such as Buckwheat Zydeco.

 Ever the boundary-breaker, Ruben weaves Zydeco with soulful threads of blues, Chicano grooves, and hip-hop. His creative ventures include a Certified Gold collaboration on Texas Sun with Khruangbin and Leon Bridges, as well as dynamic projects with Baby Bash that bridge the gap between classic Zydeco rhythms and contemporary beats. 

 From enchanting nights at the New Orleans Jazz Fest to electrifying 70,000-strong audiences at Austin City Limits Festival 2024, Ruben’s performances are vibrant canvases where passion meets innovation. With international tours, competition accolades, and congressional recognition for his community contributions, Ruben Moreno continues to light the way—blending the timeless spirit of Zydeco with the pulse of tomorrow.

https://www.rubenmoreno.live/about

Koray Broussard

Koray Broussard, leader of "The Zydeco Unit", is a rising Zydeco star who rides atop the fertile Zydeco scene in and around Acadiana in SW Louisiana.

 For Koray Broussard, Zydeco is a family affair. The Opelousas, LA native is a third generation Zydeco musician; his father John, uncle Jeffrey and grandfather Delton are all noted players in SW Louisiana and beyond.

 By tracing Koray's family lineage it’s easy to see the route Zydeco music has taken over the last several decades. From the rural sound of his grandfather's string-based front porch numbers to Koray’s club-ready R&B fusion, the genre has ensured its enduring relevance by being both adaptive and constant.

 Koray Broussard's musicality was understandably shaped by his iconic family roots and his early start playing zydeco (age 8 on drums in his dad's band). Add to that his instrumental versatility (accordion, guitar, bass and drums) and openness to contemporary influences, he was shaped into a performer who both honors tradition and pushes the genre forward exploring new possibilities.

 When asked how old he was when he began to play the accordion and who his teacher was, Koray replied, “I’m 36 and no one really taught me how to play. It’s been around me since the day I was born and it’s in my blood. I had no choice but to pick it up, lol. I love it with a passion!”

https://www.facebook.com/koray.broussard/

Tickets: $15 advance, $20 day of show and on sale now online at https://abilene.showare.com and at the bar