Moreno
stands out among Gypsy jazz guitarists for his unique style,
influenced by his tutelage under the venerable jazz manouche
great Paul "Tchan Tchou" Vidal. Hailing from the Alsace,
Vidal and Moreno’s playing is tied more closely to timeless
Eastern European gypsy music than to the urban Parisian swing
of Django Reinhardt. Seeing Moreno perform live is a humbling
experience; with a cigarette hanging from his picking hand and
his eyes never bothering to look at his Favino guitar, he uncoils
gypsy melodies with dashing style, fluidity, and an astonishing
speed that leaves you breathless. Moreno also plays guitar heroics
with tricks such as playing a melody on one string using the
tuner to change notes. Though he is always impeccably dressed
in a suit and tie and flashing a million-dollar-smile, like
young Jimmy Rosenberg, Moreno prefers to move about in traditional
gypsy fashion, keeping no permanent mailing address.
