Grammy-winning Rotary Ambassador Gaby Moreno

Summary

Rotary Voices Podcast: Episode Summary Featuring Grammy-Winning Rotary Ambassador Gaby Moreno

Published on November 27, 2024

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Introduction

In this compelling episode of the Rotary Voices podcast, hosted by Sylvia Perez from Rotary Magazine, listeners are treated to an intimate conversation with Gaby Moreno, a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and producer. Moreno shares her inspiring journey from her roots in Guatemala to international acclaim, highlighting the profound influence of Rotary International on her life and career.

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Gaby Moreno’s Journey and Musical Career

Gaby Moreno’s passion for music was ignited during a pivotal trip to New York City as a teenager. Inspired by a woman singing the blues on the streets, Moreno was motivated to pursue a musical career in the United States. She relocated to Los Angeles after high school, where her dedication bore fruit when she won the Song of the Year award at the John Lennon Songwriting Contest in 2007—the first Latin category entry to achieve this honor.

Today, Moreno boasts nine studio albums that blend Latin, folk, and alternative genres. Her accolades include a Grammy Award and an Emmy nomination. She has collaborated with renowned artists such as Bono, Andrea Bocelli, and the Buena Vista Social Club. Notably, she performed the TV theme song for Disney's first Latina princess, Elena of Avalor, and co-wrote the theme song for NBC’s Parks and Recreation. One of her most memorable performances occurred in February 2023, when she visited a small farming village in Guatemala alongside Rotary International past President Jennifer Jones, underscoring her deep ties to her homeland and Rotary’s mission.

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Connection to Rotary and Family Influence

Moreno’s connection to Rotary is deeply rooted in her family. Her father and uncle have been dedicated Rotary members for over three decades, actively involved in projects such as providing wheelchairs to those in need and assisting communities near the active Fuego volcano. Reflecting on her upbringing, Moreno shares:

"It's always very inspiring to see that growing up and how my dad would always go to meetings and go to the projects that they were doing... from a very early age, that I wanted to help others and I wanted to be a part of that change."
— Gaby Moreno [04:06]

These early experiences instilled in her a strong desire to give back, a value that continues to guide her philanthropic efforts today.

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Rotary Literacy Project in Guatemala

Moreno discusses her involvement with the Rotary Literacy Project in Guatemala, a collaboration with the Coed Cooperative for Education. Last year, she accompanied the project team to rural communities, witnessing firsthand the transformative impact of education on young lives. She recounts meeting a young girl who had flourished academically thanks to Rotary’s support:

"She was already reading and writing. And that's something that's very important to me because I know that these children have big dreams and they can make them a reality once they have the proper tools and the education."
— Gaby Moreno [05:16]

She emphasizes the critical need for education in Guatemala, where poverty forces many children to abandon their studies after sixth grade to support their families. Moreno aspires to see every child in Guatemala receive an education, enabling them to pursue their dreams.

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Impact of Rotary on Gaby Moreno’s Philanthropy

Moreno’s philanthropic endeavors extend beyond the Rotary Literacy Project. She serves as UNICEF's first National Ambassador in Guatemala and collaborates with local nonprofits supporting children who are blind and deaf—initiatives spearheaded by her uncle and aunt. Additionally, she has donated computers to schools through other nonprofits, leading some institutions to honor her contributions by naming classrooms after her.

Her commitment to giving back is further influenced by her education at Monte Maria, an all-girls Catholic school in Guatemala. The school’s emphasis on community service through projects like visiting orphanages and old age homes left a lasting impression on her:

"I feel like that really sparked something in me... seeing the work that my dad was doing with Rotary, I mean, I always thought, man, I want to do that. I want to give back, I want to help out."
— Gaby Moreno [18:01]

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Musical Influences and Artistic Evolution

Moreno’s musical style is a rich tapestry influenced by diverse genres. She describes her music as Latin Americana, a blend of American roots music—including blues, folk, and rock—with Latin rhythms. Her exposure to blues during a transformative trip to New York at age 13, where she encountered Chicago blues for the first time, left an indelible mark on her artistry:

"I found that Chicago blues was a huge, huge inspiration to me... It informs a lot, not just my lyrics, but also just my melodies and the feeling that I put into the music."
— Gaby Moreno [14:56]

One of her signature songs, "Fronteras," originally about her journey from Guatemala to the U.S., has evolved into an anthem of hope and new beginnings for Guatemalan children, especially during Independence Month. Moreno expresses delight in how her music resonates with and empowers the youth:

"It's so beautiful... It's a song that speaks about hope and about a new beginning, a new dawn, and about moving forward and following your dreams."
— Gaby Moreno [07:50]

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Awards, Accomplishments, and Collaborations

Moreno’s career is marked by significant milestones. Winning a Grammy and a Latin Grammy for producing Cuban legend Omara Portundo are among her notable achievements. Her collaborations have also elevated her profile. A standout moment was her duet with Ricardo Arjona in 2011 on the song "Fuisted," which became a major hit in Latin America, boosting her recognition in the region.

Reflecting on her accolades, Moreno shares the surreal experience of winning a Grammy, a dream she penned in her childhood notebook:

"I felt like I was floating in the clouds. Somebody just asked me. I just played a festival, and I was hanging out in the green room with other artists, and somebody asked me about it, and I was like, oh, my gosh. Really? Did that happen?"
— Gaby Moreno [10:16]

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Future Plans and Rotary Ambassador Role

Looking ahead, Moreno plans to continue touring in support of her latest album, Dusk, while also delving deeper into music production and writing for TV and film. Her role as a Rotary Ambassador aligns seamlessly with her values and aspirations. She is committed to leveraging her music and social platforms to amplify Rotary’s global initiatives:

"Whatever I can do, whether it's through my music, through my social platforms, I wanna just keep bringing awareness of what Rotary is doing all over the world."
— Gaby Moreno [19:44]

Moreno is eager to collaborate with Rotary on future projects, expressing enthusiasm about the potential for joint initiatives that further Rotary’s mission of service and community improvement.

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Conclusion

Gaby Moreno’s story is one of passion, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to giving back. Her journey from a young girl in Guatemala inspired by street musicians to an internationally acclaimed artist and Rotary Ambassador exemplifies the profound impact of Rotary International on individual lives and communities. Through her music and philanthropic efforts, Moreno continues to inspire and empower others, embodying the Rotary values of service, leadership, and fellowship.

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For more insights and inspiring stories, listen to the full episode of Rotary Voices featuring Gaby Moreno.

Transcript

[Sylvia Perez]

From Rotary magazine. This is the Rotary Voices Podcast. I'm Sylvia Perez. So tired as a teenager, Gabi Moreno took a trip to New York City from her native Guatemala and was inspired. After hearing a woman singing the blues on the street, she returned to Guatemala determined to pursue a career in music in the United States. She moved to Los Angeles after high school to continue this pursuit. And her efforts paid off. In 2007, she won the Song of the Year award at the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Her song was the first Latin category entry to win the contest. Today she's a singer, songwriter and producer with nine studio albums fusing Latin, folk and alternative music, among other genres. She's a Grammy Award winner, an Emmy nominee who shared the stage with the likes of Bono, Andrea Bocelli, and the Buena Vista Social Club. She sang the TV theme song for Disney's first Latina, Princess Elena of Avalor, and co wrote the theme song for NBC's Parks and Recreation. But one of her most special performances took place in February of 2023, when she traveled to a tiny farming village in her home country of Guatemala with Rotary International past President Jennifer Jones. Moreno visited two schools supported by Rotary clubs in multiple countries. It was her first time traveling with Rotary, but she's long been familiar with this organization. Her father and uncle have been Rotary members for more than 30 years. Their work in Rotary clearly had an impact on her own sense of giving, as Moreno serves as UNICEF's first National Ambassador in Guatemala. She also works with a Guatemalan nonprofit that helps children who are blind and deaf, an organization started by her uncle and aunt. She has donated computers for a school through another nonprofit, where they even named a classroom after her. Today, Gabby Moreno joins me at the Rotary International headquarters in Evanston, Illinois to discuss her upbringing in Guatemala, her career, and her experience since Rotary's impact up close in her home country. Gabby, thank you so much for joining me on the Rotary Voices podcast.

[Gabi Moreno]

Thank you so much.

[Interviewer]

It's so nice to have you here.

[Gabi Moreno]

Oh, I'm so excited.

[Interviewer]

I have so many questions because your music, as I said, is just unbelievable. Your voice is amazing.

[Gabi Moreno]

Thank you.

[Interviewer]

But I want to start with your connection to Rotary because your father was involved with Rotary. But tell me a little bit about his background and how he got involved with it.

[Gabi Moreno]

Well, it's interesting because he was a concert promoter for a very, very long time. And it started in the 80s. Throughout the 90s, he joined Rotary. And I remember he joined it with my uncle. And I remember there was this one project where they did a fundraiser and they gather a bunch of wheelchairs to bring to people in need of wheelchairs. And I think that's still going to this day. Like, every year they do this. Another one that I can remember is that they're helping communities along the Fuego volcano, which is constantly erupting. And so these communities living so close to the volcano are at risk. So I know that they are always. They're always there, they're always helping. They're always figuring out whether they can help move them or whatever it is. But he's always been very much involved with different projects, different things. And it was always very inspiring to see that growing up and how my dad would always go to meetings and go to the projects that they were doing. A couple times they brought me along, and I really love that. And so it kind of started something in me that from a very early age, that I wanted to help others and I wanted to be a part of that change.

[Interviewer]

Yeah. So you are somebody who really wants to give back. And that's something that. That I can tell is deep in your soul. You're such a soulful singer that I think you're somebody who really, when you get into something, you put your heart and soul into it. You had an amazing firsthand experience with Rotary's impact in Guatemala, your home country. Tell everybody about the Rotary Literacy Project that you were a part of.

[Gabi Moreno]

So I was invited to go to Guatemala last year to accompany members of the Guatemala Literacy Project. It was a collaboration they were doing along with Coed Cooperative for Education in Guatemala. And it was really wonderful. Like, I got to see firsthand the work that they were doing in these communities. And I got to visit a family and meet a little girl who had greatly benefited from this project. She was already reading and writing. And that's something that's very important to me because I know that these children have big dreams and they can make them a reality once they have the proper tools and the education.

[Interviewer]

So explain to our listeners why this is critical, because I understand for a lot of the children, they only go to a certain grade. So if you can kind of walk us through what's going on there and why the Rotary work is so important.

[Gabi Moreno]

Well, I guess a lot of people know this, but there's a lot of poverty in Guatemala, and there's basically a lot of children that do not make past sixth grade. They end up just going back to their families and working. You know, at 12, 13 years old.

[Interviewer]

They'Re already working because they have to.

[Gabi Moreno]

Make money, because they have to. They have to help the family. They have to help provide. It's heartbreaking. And a lot of them come from rural parts of the country, mainly from indigenous communities, and a lot of them have to come into the city and find work there. The family that I got to meet during this trip, I got to speak to three of the. They were teenagers, and I asked them what big dreams they had. And I remember one of them telling me, like, oh, I want to be a mechanic. All he could think about was just going into the city and working as a mechanic. And I was thinking, like, okay, great, if that's his big dream, right? But he needs to finish his education. And that's just something that I'm really hoping that one day we'll be able to say every single child in Guatemala has had an education.

[Interviewer]

I saw a beautiful video of you singing with some Guatemalan children. Kind of paint a picture for our listeners of that day, what that was like for you. And the children all knew the song.

[Gabi Moreno]

Oh, my goodness. It just tug at my heartstrings. I arrived and they did this wonderful welcome with. They had flags of the United States and of Guatemala and the uk, I think was there too. And we all gathered in this gym that they had at the school. They had a guitar for me, and I sat down and I started playing the song. And they all started singing along with me very enthusiastically, very loudly. It was so beautiful. This song of mine is called Fronteras, and it's really touching to me that it kind of has become a bit of a hymn to a lot of kids, especially during our independence month in September. Our Independence Day is September 15th. And I've been getting videos from schools, you know, just from kids singing this song and making it their own. And it's very, very sweet.

[Interviewer]

So tell me about the word of Fronteras and why that has become kind of a symbol for them.

[Gabi Moreno]

Well, it's funny because I. I wrote that song many, many years ago about my journey of how I left my home country and arrived in a new place, just following my dreams and full of hope and my big illusion of being in music. And, you know, that's kind of what I was thinking about. But this is usually what happens with songs. The artists write whatever they're feeling. But then once it's out in the world, people take these songs and they make it their own. And that's a really beautiful thing. I love that. I don't really like to tell people what I was thinking when I wrote it. I kind of want you to come up with your Own meaning. And so that happened with that song. All of a sudden, I started hearing that kids are singing it because it is a song that speaks about hope and about a new beginning, a new dawn, and about moving forward and following your dreams. And so I think these are all themes that a lot of people can identify with, and. Well, especially the youth.

[Interviewer]

So you've had an incredible year, right?

[Gabi Moreno]

Yes.

[Interviewer]

You just released your new album, Dusk, which is unbelievable if you haven't heard it. I love the different variety of music that you offer on there. I said at the beginning that it's kind of hard to define you as a singer. I think I've seen folk a lot, but you sing a lot of different things for me. Tell me about that. If you were to tell somebody how to describe your music, what would you say?

[Gabi Moreno]

I think I have arrived at the fact that I am an Americana artist, and maybe this is a term that not a lot of people are familiar with, But Americana is a genre of music, and it encompasses many different musical styles that were either born here in the United States or have become a staple of the music that's being made here, whether that's blues, folk, rock. I think there's also a lot of Latin in there, Latin rhythms. And so I think it's that. And then, of course, I sing in English and Spanish, so I guess I'm a Latin Americana artist.

[Interviewer]

I like that. Latin Americana, Yeah. So back to the fact that you've had an amazing year because you released this album, but you also won a Grammy.

[Gabi Moreno]

Yes.

[Interviewer]

Okay. What was that like? Was that a dream of yours?

[Gabi Moreno]

Oh, my gosh. I have a little notebook from when I was, I don't know, 12 years old, and where I was writing all my dreams and everything. And I wrote there to win a Grammy someday. It was so surreal to me. I mean, that moment, I felt like I was floating in the clouds. Somebody just asked me. I just played a festival, and I was hanging out in the green room with other artists, and somebody asked me about it, and I was like, oh, my gosh. Really? Did that happen?

[Interviewer]

And you've won Latin Gram. Even now you've won this U.S. grammy. Okay. And you're Emmy nominated. So what else have you got going? What are your plans for the rest of the year?

[Gabi Moreno]

Well, I mean, aside from touring to support this new album that I just released, I really love producing. And last year, I also had the big honor of winning a Latin Grammy for producing a legendary artist from Cuba, Omara Portundo. And that meant the world to me. And I really do love producing other artists, so I want to keep doing that. I want to help other artists and also just slow down a little bit because the road can be. It can be exhausting, you know, And I've been doing it for about 15 years, so I know that there's other things that I can do where I can probably just stay home and like.

[Interviewer]

Is that what you like about producing? You can still be creative, but you don't have to be on the road all the time.

[Gabi Moreno]

Exactly. You don't have to be on the road. You just stay home and then you get to like, you get to work with the artists, with the musicians, and you get to be in the studio. I really love that. I also love writing for TV and film, which I think I'm gonna be doing a little bit more of that too.

[Interviewer]

Well, that's exciting because you play a character and sing a song for a Disney show. Tell us about that.

[Gabi Moreno]

Yeah. Yes. So I sang the theme song for Elena of Avalor, which was the first Latina princess, and the producers of the show gave me a character named Marlena. So it was my first time ever doing a voiceover for a Disney show. So that was really fun. But I've also had songs that I've written for movies. I did one for the animated film Puss in Boots, the Last Wish that came out last year.

[Interviewer]

That was a big deal.

[Gabi Moreno]

That was a huge deal. Especially because I thought I was just gonna write it and give it to someone to sing. Someone that was, you know, well, Antonio Banderas, who was the voice of the cat. And then they told me, no, we want your voice. So it was a big deal to hear my voice in such a big film.

[Interviewer]

That's great.

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[Interviewer]

Influences growing up in Guatemala? Did you Listen to a lot of American music as well.

[Gabi Moreno]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

Who really touched you?

[Gabi Moreno]

Well, this is where I wanted to tell you about that story about Chicago and why it means so much to me. So my mom tells me that I started singing when I was five, six years old, and I was really into musicals, and I was really into Disney movies. Then my parents took me to New York when I was 13 years old, and I discovered blues for the very first time. I had never heard anything like that in my life. I heard it because a woman was singing it. She was singing in the Streets. And I just absolutely fell in love with the way that she was singing that kind of music. And so I went up to her and I asked her, what's that music that you're singing? And she said, oh, that's the blues, honey. And I asked my mother to take me to a record store. And of course, I didn't know which artists were in the blues genre. So I just bought a bunch of CDs, compilation CDs, I brought them back home with me. I put on the first cd, and the first song that plays is Coco Taylor's Wang Dang Doodle. Now, as you know, Coco Taylor is from Chicago. So for me, that was my introduction to that music. And Chicago blues was a huge, huge inspiration to me. And that's how I really got into it.

[Interviewer]

What was it about the blues? Is it just because where it comes from? Because the blues is. I mean, you have to use every part of your body and feel it, don't you?

[Gabi Moreno]

Absolutely. I don't know if I. Like in some other life, I was a blues. I don't know. But it's just like every time I hear it, it stirs something in me and it gives me chills. It's so hard to describe. And I really immerse myself in that music. So that I don't consider myself a blues singer, of course, but I'm very much inspired by it. And I think it informs a lot. Not just my lyrics, but also just my melodies and my interpretation and the feeling that I put into the music.

[Interviewer]

I love that you had that Chicago connection in New York.

[Gabi Moreno]

Yes.

[Interviewer]

And tell me about the first time you came to Chicago to perform. Was that special?

[Gabi Moreno]

Oh, so special? I think the first time was when I had my first tour experience, and that was in 2009, opening for Tracy Chapman. And it was absolutely amazing. I was out on the road for three weeks with her, just by myself, with my guitar, opening her shows. And we played here in Chicago. And that was my first time playing here. But then after that I played in different festivals. I even played in Millennium Park. That was incredibly special too. So, yeah, I always love coming back here.

[Interviewer]

So in your career, because you're still very young woman and you've done a lot, what is it that really stands out for you? Or was there something that was kind of a game changer for you?

[Gabi Moreno]

That tour with Tracy Chapman, for me was a game changer because that was my very first experience being on the road. And that's when I realized, ooh, I really love this. Obviously, getting such a big recognition as the Grammys was just monumental. And different collaborations I've done with some artists over the years have been very meaningful to me. To my. One of them with my fellow countryman, Ricardo Arjona. I sang a duet with him in 2011 and that song became a huge hit for him. It's a song that he wrote and he invited me to sing it with him and that kind of got my name really well known in Latin America.

[Interviewer]

What was the name of the song?

[Gabi Moreno]

Fuisted. And it was a very special collaboration that I did with him.

[Interviewer]

It's been a good career, hasn't it?

[Gabi Moreno]

Yes.

[Interviewer]

So who haven't you had the chance to sing with that you like? Who's the one person that you would really love to be able to do duet with?

[Gabi Moreno]

Mavis Staples. I love Mavis so much and I love the Staples singers. Caetano Veloso, another wonderful artist from Brazil, and goodness, Stevie Wonder. Can I keep dreaming big?

[Interviewer]

Well, it seems to me like dreaming big has paid off. So if I were you, I wouldn't stop dreaming big. Cause you've already made these amazing accomplishments, you know, and they're all within your reach. I just love the fact though that despite you're really busy and I've watched you as you've been touring the Rotary building, you really give the attention and the consideration to other people. Was it your family's impact that taught you that no matter your success, that you always have to give back?

[Gabi Moreno]

Yeah, definitely. My family, I think also my school, I went to an all girl Catholic school in Guatemala. You're basically in the same school from kindergarten, elementary, high school is all in the same school. So I was in the same school for 14 years with the same students, the same friends. And this school, it's called Monte Maria, which means Mary Knoll, which was started by the sisters of Maryknoll from New York. You know, nothing to do with religion for me anymore at least, because I don't really practice any religion anymore. But I do remember how much they instilled in us, the giving back to our communities. And I think that's where it started for me because part of projects and assignments that we had in our class was to go to an orphanage, go to an old people's home and spend time with them and give back. And so I feel like that really sparked something in me. And then, of course, seeing the work that my dad was doing with Rotary, I mean, I always thought, man, I want to do that. I want to give back, I want to help out.

[Interviewer]

Well, when he found out that that you were one of Rotary's first ambassadors, well, first of all, were you excited to tell him and what was his reaction?

[Gabi Moreno]

I was very excited to tell him. I called him and he got pretty emotional about it. I know it means so much to him and to the family. So I'm incredibly excited and I can't wait to share with him, like, all the other things that I'm gonna be doing with Rotary and maybe you guys.

[Interviewer]

Could do something together.

[Gabi Moreno]

That would be great. That would be amazing.

[Interviewer]

So tell me about plans to do with that. Since you're gonna serve as an ambassador, I'm sure you have set some goals for yourself.

[Gabi Moreno]

Oh, gosh, it's just such a huge, huge honor. Whatever I can do, whether it's through my music, through my social platforms, I wanna just keep bringing awareness of what Rotary is doing all over the world. And it's a big commitment, it's a big responsibility. And like I said, it's just a big to be part of this adventure and this journey.

[Interviewer]

Well, you were definitely chosen for a reason and keep doing what you do. We can't wait to see your next dream that you're gonna achieve.

[Gabi Moreno]

Thank you so much.

[Interviewer]

It's just been such a pleasure and your music is just so special and beautiful.

[Gabi Moreno]

Thank you. Thank you.

[Interviewer]

It means a lot and we can't wait for you to come back and keep us posted on your next adventure and your next tour and then your next trip. Who knows where it's going to take you, right?

[Gabi Moreno]

Yeah, exactly.

[Interviewer]

Thank you again for being a part of Rotary Voices Podcast.

[Gabi Moreno]

Thank you so much, Gabby. Gracias.

[Interviewer]

This episode of the Rotary Voices Podcast.

[Sylvia Perez]

Was produced by JP Swenson and edited by Wen Huang.

[Interviewer]

Production by Yoo Su Kim.

[Sylvia Perez]

I'm Sylvia Perez. If you enjoyed the show, please please rate us five stars on Apple Podcasts and Spotify and share it with your friends. The Rotary Voices Podcast is produced by Rotary Magazine, the official monthly publication of Rotary International. Thanks for listening.