Ruben Bada was born in Aviles, in the northern coast of Asturies, and raised in the Cape Peñes area, where the Asturian language and culture are still healthy and alive. He began playing guitar at the age of 14, learning both bouzouki and fiddle soon after. Ruben started his recording career in 1998 with the band Xeliba with whom he recorded two albums.
Shortly after, he became a highly sought after studio musician and producer, working with Asturian acts such as, Mari luz Cristobal, N’arba, Corquieu, Tejedor, Dixebra, Llacín Pipe Band, Ú?, Alfredo González, and DRD.
In 2000, Ruben won the Asturian Traditional Music Contest on fiddle and in 2006 he was awarded “Best Instrumentalist” in the Asturian Music Awards. Ruben has recorded on numerous high-profile albums including John McSherry & Dónal O’Connor’s critically acclaimed album ‘Tripswitch’ and John McSherry’s award winning album ‘Soma’ in 2010. He is currently part of the groups L-R, Aú?, Alce y Navaya, Alfredo González, Midnight Special and Pipe Band el Trasno de Cuaña.