Gaby Moreno

{{short description|Guatemalan musician (born 1981)}} {{family name hatnote|Moreno|Bonilla|lang=Spanish}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Gaby Moreno | image = Bernardo Arévalo entrega Orden Presidencial a Gaby Moreno (cropped).jpg | caption = Moreno in 2024 | alt = Gaby Moreno wearing a purple suit and a medal, receiving the Presidential Order of Bernardo Arévalo | birth_name = Maria Gabriela Moreno Bonilla | birth_date={{birth date and age|df=yes|1981|12|16}} | alias = | birth_place = Guatemala City, Guatemala | genre = {{hlist|Blues|Latin|Latin alternative|folk|Americana}} | instrument = Vocals, Guitar | occupation = Singer, Musician, Songwriter | years_active = 1997–present | label = Cosmica Artists | website = {{URL|gaby-moreno.com}} }}

'''Maria Gabriela Moreno Bonilla''' (born 16 December 1981) is a Guatemalan singer-songwriter and guitarist. Singing in both English and Spanish, Moreno's music covers many genres including Latin, alternative, blues, folk and Americana. She has won one Grammy and two Latin Grammy awards.

She made her Broadway debut in March 2026 as Persephone in ''Hadestown''.<ref>Gans, Andrew [https://playbill.com/article/j-harrison-ghee-joshua-colley-jordan-tyson-gary-dourdan-gaby-moreno-to-join-hadestown-on-broadway J. Harrison Ghee, Joshua Colley, Jordan Tyson, Gary Dourdan, Gaby Moreno to Join Hadestown on Broadway] Playbill, January 14, 2026</ref>

== Early life == Maria Gabriela Moreno Bonilla<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schweizer |first=Renate |date=14 October 2019 |title=Sie singt und die Welt steht still |url=https://www.bkz.de/kultur/sie-singt-und-die-welt-steht-still-45547.html |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=Backnanger Kreiszeitung |language=de}}</ref> was born on 16 December 1981 in Guatemala City<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mn0002128626 | title=Gaby Moreno Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More | website=AllMusic }}</ref> and later moved to Los Angeles.

== Career ==

=== Music ===

In August 2009, Moreno toured with Tracy Chapman. Later, in November 2009, Moreno toured as direct support for Ani DiFranco on an East Coast tour. DiFranco invited Moreno back out on tour in January and February 2010. In July 2010 Moreno went on tour in Germany (e.g. in Constance, Heidelberg, and Ravensburg) and France.{{fact|date=November 2024}}

In early 2011 Moreno and her band played their first headlining tour. They toured through the Netherlands and Belgium performing as part of the "World Sessions" tour. In addition, Moreno and her band opened as direct support for Nouvelle Vague for three shows in Germany. In late 2011 Gaby toured the U.S. East coast as direct support for The Milk Carton Kids.{{fact|date=November 2024}}

Moreno played some concerts in France in February 2012. Later that spring, she performed with Ricardo Arjona during his "Metamorfosis World Tour." In June, Moreno performed on ''The Tonight Show with Jay Leno'' to commemorate 50 years of Amnesty International, together with Kris Kristofferson and others. Throughout May and June, Moreno played concerts in Ireland ("Electric Burma" in honor of Aung San Suu Kyi together with Bono, Damien Rice, Bob Geldof, Angelique Kidjo, etc.), Germany, France, and London (with Van Dyke Parks) In July, Moreno played concerts in France, including Le Havre, Verdun, and Paris.{{fact|date=November 2024}}

In 2013, she toured with Hugh Laurie and The Copper Bottom Band through Europe, in March 2014 in South America, namely Argentina, Brazil and Mexico.{{fact|date=November 2024}}

On 28 February and 1 March 2015, Moreno played at Festival Acústico under the name "Gaby Moreno y amigos". Her performances featured guest appearances by Oscar Isaac, Sara Watkins, Ishto Jueves, Devorah Rahel (with whom she played the song "Y Tu Sombra") and El Gordo. Moreno also played a song called "Maldición, Bendición". [[File:Music - Gaby Moreno - Bowery Ballroom (18211132503).jpg|thumb|Moreno at the Bowery Ballroom, New York, 2015]] In March 2015, Moreno went on tour in Europe, playing at Theater Akzent in Vienna, Austria (19 March, her first show in Vienna), Casino Kulturraum in Friedrichshafen, Germany (20 March), La Spirale in Fribourg, Switzerland (21 March), and Cankar Centre in Ljubljana, Slovenia (24 March). On 24 July 2015 Moreno performed at the Lincoln Center in New York City with Out of Doors. Starting in 2016, Moreno became a recurring guest on Live From Here.

In 2018, Moreno released a cover of Trinidadian artist David Rudder's 1998 song "The Immigrants," made with arranger and producer Van Dyke Parks, ahead of the U.S. Independence Day (4 July), with proceeds going to benefit CARECEN.

''¡Spangled!'', a collaboration between Moreno and Parks, was released in 2020 on Metamorfosis & Nonesuch Records. The album includes a bolero from Panama, a bossa nova from Brazil, a song by Moreno, David Rudder's "The Immigrants," and Ry Cooder, John Hiatt and Jim Dickinson's song "Across the Borderline," performed with Cooder and Jackson Browne.

=== Composing === As a composer, Moreno recorded and produced the score for the feature film ''Language Lessons'' (directed by Natalie Morales) and received an Emmy nomination for "Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Song" for the theme song to NBC's show ''Parks and Recreation''.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Ann Donahue |date=8 July 2010 |title='Idol,' 'SNL' Join 'Glee' with Emmy Nominatons |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/957471/idol-snl-join-glee-with-emmy-nominatons |access-date=29 May 2020 |publisher=Billboard |archive-date=24 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224133607/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/957471/idol-snl-join-glee-with-emmy-nominatons |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2022, Moreno released a full-length album, ''Dreamers Dream On'', with her three-part harmony side project, The SongBirds, and released her self-produced seventh solo studio album ''Alegoría'', which has earned her a second Grammy Awards nomination.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Gaby Moreno is making music on her terms |work=NPR.org |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/09/15/1122545996/gaby-moreno-is-making-music-on-her-terms |access-date=21 October 2022 |archive-date=21 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021091015/https://www.npr.org/2022/09/15/1122545996/gaby-moreno-is-making-music-on-her-terms |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2023 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Complete Nominees List |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/2023-grammy-nominations-complete-winners-nominees-list |access-date=17 November 2022 |website=www.grammy.com |archive-date=16 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116125127/https://www.grammy.com/news/2023-grammy-nominations-complete-winners-nominees-list |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Television === Moreno sings the theme song and voices a character (Marlena) for the Disney children's television series, ''Elena of Avalor''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Cantor-Navas |first1=Judy |last2=Cantor-Navas |first2=Judy |date=10 June 2016 |title=Gaby Moreno Sings Theme Song for Disney Channel Latina Princess Show 'Elena of Avalor' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/gaby-moreno-elena-of-avalor-disney-channel-7401199/ |access-date=21 October 2022 |magazine=Billboard |archive-date=21 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021091010/https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/gaby-moreno-elena-of-avalor-disney-channel-7401199/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Her version of the song "Cucurrucucú Paloma" was featured in a key scene during the last season of the Netflix original show ''Orange Is the New Black''.

Moreno appeared alongside Rupert Grint in a Catherine Hardwicke-directed episode of ''Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=A. J. |date=17 October 2022 |title=Guillermo del Toro's 'Cabinet of Curiosities' Releasing Episodes Over 4 Nights — Here Are the Dates |url=https://remezcla.com/film/guillermo-del-toro-cabinet-of-curiosities-netflix-release-date-episodes/ |access-date=21 October 2022 |website=Remezcla |archive-date=21 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021091015/https://remezcla.com/film/guillermo-del-toro-cabinet-of-curiosities-netflix-release-date-episodes/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Moreno also collaborated with composer Heitor Pereira to write and perform the song "Por Que Te Vas" for DreamWorks Animation's ''Puss in Boots: The Last Wish''.

== Reception == Moreno has been received positively by Al Borde,<ref>{{cite web |author=Hilda Gabriela |date=1 March 2011 |title=Gaby Moreno's 'Illustrated Songs' Is All About Going Big, Or Going Home |url=https://www.alborde.com/musica-section/noticias-musica/gaby-morenos-qillustrated-songsq-is-all-about-going-big-or-going-home/ |access-date=29 May 2020 |work=AB's Top Music News |archive-date=27 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627082451/https://www.alborde.com/musica-section/noticias-musica/gaby-morenos-qillustrated-songsq-is-all-about-going-big-or-going-home/ |url-status=live }}</ref> KCRW,<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 July 2008 |title=Gaby Moreno: Song for You |url=https://www.kcrw.com/music/shows/todays-top-tune/gaby-moreno-song-for-you |work=Today's Top Tune |publisher=KCRW |access-date=20 November 2019 |archive-date=14 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014022629/http://www.kcrw.com/music/programs/tu/tu080701gaby_moreno_song_for/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Latina,<ref>{{Cite web |author=Smriti Mundhra |date=2 May 2011 |title=The Best Latin Music You Don't Know: Gaby Moreno |url=http://www.latina.com/entertainment/music/best-latin-music-you-don-t-know-0#4 |publisher=Latina |access-date=29 May 2020 |archive-date=9 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209200244/http://www.latina.com/entertainment/music/best-latin-music-you-don-t-know-0#4 |url-status=live }}</ref> NBC Latino, NPR<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97823649 |title=Gaby Moreno: 'Song of You' |author=Tamara Vallejos |publisher=NPR |date=4 December 2008 |access-date=5 April 2018 |archive-date=20 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170720232700/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97823649 |url-status=live }}</ref> (including ''All Things Considered'',<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 April 2011 |title=Gaby Moreno: Lady Learns The Blues, And More |url=https://www.npr.org/2011/04/10/135241873/gaby-moreno-lady-learns-the-blues-and-more |work=All Things Considered |publisher=NPR |access-date=5 April 2018 |archive-date=20 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720083455/https://www.npr.org/2011/04/10/135241873/gaby-moreno-lady-learns-the-blues-and-more |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Alt. Latino'',<ref>{{Cite web |author=Anne Hoffman |date=1 July 2011 |title=New Music From The Latin Alternative Music Conference |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/altlatino/2011/07/15/137769480/this-week-on-alt-latino-the-latin-alternative-music-conference |publisher=NPR |access-date=20 November 2019 |archive-date=13 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213222516/https://www.npr.org/sections/altlatino/2011/07/15/137769480/this-week-on-alt-latino-the-latin-alternative-music-conference |url-status=live }}</ref> and Tiny Desk Concerts<ref>{{Cite web |author=Jasmine Garsd |date=1 August 2011 |title=Gaby Moreno: Tiny Desk Concert |url=https://www.npr.org/2011/08/15/139588312/gaby-moreno-tiny-desk-concert |publisher=NPR |access-date=5 April 2018 |archive-date=20 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720083457/https://www.npr.org/2011/08/15/139588312/gaby-moreno-tiny-desk-concert |url-status=live }}</ref>), ''Orlando Weekly''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Le-Huu |first=Bao |date=1 October 2011 |title=This Little Underground |newspaper=Orlando Weekly |url=https://www.orlandoweekly.com/orlando/this-little-underground/Content?oid=2247906 |access-date=20 November 2019 |archive-date=26 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126074605/https://www.orlandoweekly.com/orlando/this-little-underground/Content?oid=2247906 |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''The New York Times''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pareles |first=Jon |date=8 July 2011 |title=Musical Ambition, Defying All Barriers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/09/arts/music/pushing-past-borders-at-latin-alternative-music-conference.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=27 February 2017 |archive-date=14 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414220210/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/09/arts/music/pushing-past-borders-at-latin-alternative-music-conference.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The music video for "Fuiste Tu", her duet with Ricardo Arjona, has amassed over 1 billion views on YouTube.<ref>{{Citation |title=Ricardo Arjona – Fuiste tú feat. Gaby Moreno (Video Oficial) | date=9 February 2012 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9cCPQVPv8o |access-date=21 October 2022 |archive-date=21 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021091015/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9cCPQVPv8o |url-status=live }}</ref>

"This Guatemalan American singer-songwriter alternates fluidly between languages, whether spoken (English and Spanish) or musical, easing in and out of everything from folksy alt country to retro blues rock …Plucky, quirky and insightful, Moreno has the grace and the skill to make it big." – Rhapsody: No. 3 in Top 10 Latin Alt Albums of Spring 2011<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.rhapsody.com/2011/05/latinalt.html |title=LATIN ROUNDUP: TOP 10 LATIN ALT ALBUMS OF SPRING 2011 |author=Rachel Devitt |date=1 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525215857/http://blog.rhapsody.com/2011/05/latinalt.html |archive-date=25 May 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2012, she was listed as one of the "5 Latinos to Look Out for in 2012" by NBC Latino.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://nbclatino.tumblr.com/post/15026268599/5-latinos-to-look-out-for-in-2012 |title=5 Latinos to Look Out for in 2012 |author=Kristina Puga |date=3 December 2011 |website=nbclatino.tumblr.com |access-date=20 November 2019 |archive-date=20 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720083509/https://nbclatino.tumblr.com/post/15026268599/5-latinos-to-look-out-for-in-2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Discography == === Albums === * 2009: ''Still the Unknown'' (released independently)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gaby Moreno – Still The Unknown |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/1186696-Gaby-Moreno-Still-The-Unknown |access-date=4 January 2022 |website=Discogs|archive-date=4 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104163634/https://www.discogs.com/master/1186696-Gaby-Moreno-Still-The-Unknown |url-status=live }}</ref> * 2010: ''A Good Old Christmastime'' EP (released independently)<ref>{{Citation |title=Gaby Moreno – A Good Old Christmastime (2010, CD) |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/7072883-Gaby-Moreno-A-Good-Old-Christmastime |access-date=4 January 2022 |archive-date=4 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104163632/https://www.discogs.com/release/7072883-Gaby-Moreno-A-Good-Old-Christmastime |url-status=live }}</ref> * 2011: European release of ''Still the Unknown'' (World Connection Records)<ref>{{Citation |title=Gaby Moreno – Still The Unknown (2011, CD) |date=17 January 2011 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/2668719-Gaby-Moreno-Still-The-Unknown |access-date=4 January 2022 |archive-date=4 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104163630/https://www.discogs.com/release/2668719-Gaby-Moreno-Still-The-Unknown |url-status=live }}</ref> * 2011: ''Illustrated Songs'' (released independently) * 2012: European release of ''Illustrated Songs'' (World Connection Records)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gaby Moreno – Illustrated Songs |url=https://www.discogs.com/master/1444527-Gaby-Moreno-Illustrated-Songs |access-date=4 January 2022 |website=Discogs |archive-date=4 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104163629/https://www.discogs.com/master/1444527-Gaby-Moreno-Illustrated-Songs |url-status=live }}</ref> * 2012: ''Postales'' (Metamorfosis)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Postales Metamorfosis |url=https://www.gaby-moreno.com/album/libero-voluptates |access-date=4 January 2022 |website=www.gaby-moreno.com |archive-date=4 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104165026/https://www.gaby-moreno.com/album/libero-voluptates |url-status=live }}</ref> * 2014: ''Posada'' (Christmas Album)<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Cantor-Navas |first=Judy |date=3 December 2014 |title=Gaby Moreno's 'Posada': An Instant Latin Christmas Classic |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/gaby-moreno-posada-latin-christmas-6334840/ |access-date=4 January 2022 |magazine=Billboard }}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Gaby Moreno – Posada (2014, CD) |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/7072863-Gaby-Moreno-Posada |access-date=4 January 2022 |archive-date=4 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104165343/https://www.discogs.com/release/7072863-Gaby-Moreno-Posada |url-status=live }}</ref> * 2016: ''Illusion''<ref>{{Citation |title=Gaby Moreno – Illusion (2016, CD) |date=6 May 2016 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/9167017-Gaby-Moreno-Illusion |access-date=4 January 2022 |archive-date=4 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104165339/https://www.discogs.com/release/9167017-Gaby-Moreno-Illusion |url-status=live }}</ref> * 2019: ''¡Spangled!''<ref>{{Citation |title=Gaby Moreno & Van Dyke Parks – ¡Spangled! (2019, CD) |date=October 2019 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/14330098-Gaby-Moreno-Van-Dyke-Parks-Spangled |access-date=4 January 2022 |archive-date=4 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104165340/https://www.discogs.com/release/14330098-Gaby-Moreno-Van-Dyke-Parks-Spangled |url-status=live }}</ref> (a collaboration with Van Dyke Parks through Nonesuch Records) * 2022: ''Alegoría'' (Metamorfosis) * 2023: ''X Mí (Vol 1)'' (Cosmica Artists) * 2024: ''Dusk'' (Cosmica Artists)

=== Singles === * 2009: "Smile" – ''The Cove'' – sang the song "Smile" (written by Charlie Chaplin)<ref>{{IMDb name|nm3072516}}</ref> * 2010: "Quizas" * 2017: "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" – with Mike Garson * 2018: "The Immigrants" – with Van Dyke Parks

== Filmography == === Film === {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Note(s) |- | 2013 || ''Hugh Laurie: Live On The Queen Mary'' || Backing Vocals || |- | 2019 || ''La Llorona''|| Title song || |}

=== Television === {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Note(s) |-

| 2017 || ''Family Guy'' || (voice) || Episode: "Dearly Deported" |- | 2018–20 || ''Elena of Avalor'' || Marlena (voice) || 3 episodes |- | 2019 || ''Undone'' || Herself || Episode: "Alone In This (You Have Me)" |- | 2022|| ''Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities''|| Latin Singer || Episode: “Dreams In The Witch House” |- | 2025||''Fionna and Cake''||Venus Cantrix (voice) || Episode: “The Wolves Who Wandered” |}

== Awards and nominations == In 2006, she won the Grand Prize in the ''John Lennon Song writing Contest'' with her song "Escondidos," first in the Latin category, then overall.

In 2010, Moreno was awarded "Favourite American Latino Indie Artist" at the American Latino Awards (run by American Latino TV).

In December 2024, Gaby Moreno was included on the BBC's ''100 Women'' list.<ref name=bbc>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/resources/idt-4f79d09b-655a-42f8-82b4-9b2ecebab611|title=BBC 100 Women 2024: Who is on the list this year?|publisher=BBC|date=3 December 2024|accessdate=3 December 2024 |language=}}</ref>

Grammy Awards:{{awards table}} |- | 2017 || ''Ilusión'' ||rowspan=2| Best Latin Pop Album || {{Nominated}} |- | 2024 || ''X Mi (Vol. 1)'' || {{Won}} |- {{end}}Latin Grammy Awards:

{{awards table}} |- | rowspan=1|2012 ||rowspan=1|"Fuiste Tú" || Record of the Year || {{Nom}} |- | 2013 || Gaby Moreno || Best New Artist || {{Won}} |- | 2020 || ''¡Spangled!'' || Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album ||{{Nom}} |- | 2021 || "Bolero de la vida" (with Omara Portuondo)|| Best Tropical Song || {{Nom}} |- | 2023 || ''Vida'' (with Omara Portuondo)|| Best Traditional Tropical Album || {{Won}}{{End}}

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{Wikiquote}} {{Commons category}} *{{AllMusic}} *{{discogs artist}}

{{Navboxes |title = Awards for Gaby Moreno |list = {{Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album}} {{Latin Grammy Award for Best New Artist}} }} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Moreno, Gaby}} Category:1981 births Category:Living people Category:Guatemalan guitarists Category:Guatemalan women singer-songwriters Category:Guatemalan singer-songwriters Category:Latin Grammy Award for Best New Artist Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Guatemalan people of Spanish descent Category:21st-century Guatemalan singers Category:21st-century women singers Category:21st-century guitarists Category:Women in Latin music Category:21st-century women guitarists