American folk artist Ruben Moreno brings his sizzling groove of “honky-tonk” music and Creole zydeco to the Centro Cultrual de la Raza, Friday, July 26, where you can dig his vocal prowess and unique accordion style.

The up-and-coming zydeco artist released his first recording in Oct. 2011, but has been working in the genre for some 13 years and is known by many as one of the hottest rubboard artists in the world, and now is staking his claim as a premiere, mainstream vocalist who can squeeze the box with the best of them.

At the age of 10, Moreno opened the Continental Club on rubboard with Leroy Thomas & the Zydeco Roadrunners, then took to the road for the next decade playing with Thomas and C.J. Chenier. Moreno then moved to California’s bay area and was groomed by Louisiana native and zydeco stalwart Andre Thierry, who basically dons the zydeco crown on the west coast, and steals the show when he heads east on occasion.

Produced by Thierry, Moreno released his first solo recording in October, 2011 (Por Ti Volare’), and since then his career has skyrocketed in the genre, earning major respect from many, including iconic zydeco ambassador Buckwheat Zydeco.

Since his album’s release, Moreno has also toured the east coast and performed in NYC’s Times Square in May, and also hit major festivals in Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Moreno has toured abroad to Canada and France with Jeffery Broussard and Gerard Delafose, respectively, in the past two months. He’s a regular in San Francisco’s bay area, playing there frequently with Thierry.

Texas publisher, promoter and zydeco music lover, Guy Michaels, has taken Moreno under his guidance and is boiling over with excitement on leading the talented musician into mainstream radio. Michaels, a former Houston radio personality, thinks Moreno’s vocals set him apart from others.

Moreno’s music can be heard and purchased on his web site, www.rubenmusik.com. Fans can contact and follow Moreno on Facebook by searching www.facebook.com/RubenPaulMoreno.