About Moro and moromusic

About Moro

A gifted virtuoso guitarist and composer, Moro first played (and wrote his first composition!) when he was six and performed his first of many concerts when he was twelve. For years he traveled the world as a troubadour, using only his guitar performances as currency. This talented former member of the world-famous New Christy Minstrels has played in over 50 countries—in royal palaces, African casbahs, and even on a British warship in trade for his passage across the Indian Ocean. Bedouin champagne smugglers took him across the Arabian Desert in their camel caravan, listening to his music beneath desert stars. While he was in Bangkok giving a command performance for Their Majesties King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit of Thailand, the U.S. military invited him to play for the troops at their jungle camps. And he became the first entertainer to perform for American forces in the Vietnam conflict. He was also the first entertainer to appear at Paul Newman's famous 1960s exclusive Hollywood discotheque, THE FACTORY, where he played nightly. He followed that with an engagement at Howard Hughes' CABARET ROOM in Las Vegas where Mr. Hughes personally came to hear him. An Italian duchess who found him performing with a street-dancing flamenco troupe of gypsies in 1961 assisted him in obtaining a visa for Algeria where he then toured—during the violent Seven Years' War—and S.A.O. terrorists captured and held him. He played for them, literally for his life, whereupon they gave him money and let him go.

During his troubadour travels, he wrote many articles that were published in the KANSAS CITY STAR-TIMES, the NEW YORK TIMES' SANTA ROSA PRESS DEMOCRAT, and in the CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR. He became the subject of an international media blitz, during the 1960's (when he was known as Buddy Bohn), and he was featured in TIME magazine.

He's won critical acclaim around the globe, not only for his mastery of the guitar but for his compositions as well, having won 27 consecutive ASCAP Awards. His audiences have included H.R.H. Elizabeth II of England, H.R.H. King Frederick IX of Denmark, Pablo Picasso, Greer Garson, James Cagney, Rita Hayworth, Patty Duke, Cass Elliott and Lee Marvin. Burl Ives recorded some of his songs. Those with whom he's appeared on television, or in concert, include Andy Williams, the Everly Brothers, Bread, Art Linkletter, Regis Philbin, Doc Watson, John Fahey, John McLaughlin, David Grisman, Andy Griffith, Joey Bishop, Charlie Byrd, Gary Burton, Liza Minelli, Little Richard, Pat Paulsen, Vincent Price, Pat Buttram, the Andrews Sisters and Righteous Brothers.

The Moro discography includes 10 albums, several EPs and single recordings in many countries, and he now records his own works for the BUDWICK label exclusively. In 1971 he recorded his Vermouth Rondo with the LONDON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA for Purple/EMI/Capitol Records. It became his first international radio hit and is currently in re-release. His Hosanna Blue was the world's most aired solo guitar recording from 1981-84. His Gavotte, Featherfoot, Tune the Gypsy Played, Vermouth Rondo and Trebeck Street Waltz now rotate on DIRECT TV satellite service as well as COMCAST and TIME WARNER cable services, via MUSIC CHOICE Light Classical Channel. His Esperanza has enjoyed ten years of continuous rotation at DMX Tranquility Channel where it still airs. His Sky Tracings, Amilucience, Shepherd's Tale, Esperanza, Singing Radiance, Perambula and Meridisong have been added to the rotation at XM RADIO'S Audiovisions Channel.

SATURDAY REVIEW editor, Norman Cousins, described Moro's unpublished troubadour journals (the basis of his current non-fiction book project, Kin To The Wind) as "a most diverting and picaresque tale, one that reads like a sentimental journey of a hundred years ago."

Moro's Reviews

"He is tying the world together with a one-man thread."

"During the two centuries in which they flourished there were about 400 of these troubadours. Today, there is roughly one. His name is MORO."
--TIME MAGAZINE

"...Beautiful...his performance was a model of pure, harmonious playing. His tone sings...."
-- SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

"He's tall and handsome, with the magnetism of a Pied Piper. Everywhere he goes people gather around. For life is all harmony in the company of Moro."
-- LONDON DAILY MIRROR

"Highly entertaining...spins an enchanting effect...among the cream of his ilk...huge potential."
-- BILLBOARD MAGAZINE

"Enthralling."
-- SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER

"The guitar of Moro travels the world; a touch of flamenco, a hint of classics, some new world, and always gently expressive with warmth and romance..."
-- THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR

(FOR MORE REVIEWS, SEE OUR AMILUCIENCE, PIECES OF ANDA AND SKY TRACINGS PAGES)