Join us for an evening with Nani Vazana, the internationally acclaimed artist known for her masterful interpretation of Ladino music. This ancient musical tradition, rooted in the Sephardic Jewish heritage, blends influences from Spain, the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond. Nani weaves this rich history into her modern soundscapes, creating a captivating fusion of tradition and innovation.  During the program, singer/songwriter Nani will talk about the history of Ladino Music and perform an array of her songs. She is one of the only artists in the world who writes and composes new songs in the endangered Ladino language. 

Nani Vazana

With a ship’s-horn power voice & irresistible stage presence, Nani defends the endangered Ladino language. Her fascinating migration mix seeps into her songwriting, fusing the sounds of the marketplace with Flamenco drama. Nani learned Ladino from her Moroccan grandmother in hiding, as her father forbade them to speak Ladino at home. Library of Congress ‘Living Relic’ honours 2023, #11 International World Music Chart 2022, #13 World Music Chart Europe 2022. 

Nani is world’s 1st millennial Ladino songwriter. Her new album ‘Ke Haber’ (What’s New) captures the spirit of the ancient, matriarchal language & propels it into the future w/ socially pertinent lyrics celebrating migration, gender & female empowerment. The soundscape captures the sounds & smells of the marketplace and fuses them with raw, flamenco like vocals, soft choral trombone, mariachi guitar & percussion & piano. 

 Nani’s music was documented for the Library of Congress USA in 2023, in an honour reserved to few artists, naming her new Ladino repertoire as a “living relic”. She Nani ranked #11 World Music Charts and #13 Music Charts Europe, represented the Netherlands at the EU Music Festival in Vietnam and performed at the Kennedy Center USA, BBC Radio 3, the London Jazz Festival UK, Jazz in the Park fest Romania and the Jodhpur RIFF festival India. Nani held talks at TEDx Amsterdam NL, WOMEX, Hangveto, JAZZIAM, Colours of Ostrava, Music Finland, AtojazZ, Norsk Jazz Forum, InJazz, Fira B! and more. 

Awards:

• Winner – Eurovision for Minority Languages 2024
• Library of Congress ‘Living Relic’ Honors 2023
• PAIS Album Award, IL 2021
• SENA Music Production Award, NL 2020
• Arts Council England Premiere Award, UK 2019
• Sephardic Music Award, ES 2017

For additional information on Nani Vazana, please visit her website: https://nanimusic.com

This program is made possible through funds from the Helen C. Millstone Music Fund.

Nani Vazana will also be performing at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center on Friday, March 7th. For more information about that performance, and to purchase tickets, click here.