Wednesday, Sept 20, 7 – 9pm CST
1900 Building
1900 Shawnee Mission Pkwy, Mission Woods, KS 66205
Parkway Room
Israeli-born Noam “Nani” Vazana is one of the few artists in the world that write & compose new songs in the endangered Jewish language Ladino (Judeo-Español). In her new album ‘Ke Haber’ (What’s New) she captures the spirit of the ancient, matriarchal language and culture and propels it into the 21st century with socially pertinent lyrics, celebrating migration, gender and female empowerment.
The soundscape bridges over tradition and modern life, capturing the sounds and smells of the marketplace and fuses them with raw, flamenco like vocals and surprising instrumentations. Soft choral-like trombones embellish mariachi guitars & percussion with glimpses of piano & cello tracks, make this record a magical realistic mosaic. Nani unveils a piece of history we don’t easily find in other mythology & anthropology.
Nani ranked #11 on the RMR chart & #13 on the WMCE chart, represented the Netherlands at the EU Music Festival in Vietnam and performed at the Kennedy Center USA, BBC Radio 3, London Jazz Festival UK & Jodhpur RIFF festival India. Nani was selected to showcase at Folk Alliance 2023 and previously showcased at APAP & NAMM USA, Jazzahead DE and Injazz NL.
She held talks at TEDx Amsterdam & hosted 3 WOMEX panels. NPO network NL released a mini documentary about Nani’s music and she also composed music for BBC4 and NPO documentaries. Nani is a professor at the London Performing Academy of Music & the Jerusalem Music Academy and founded why DIY music.
Nani Noam Vazana – vocals, piano, trombone
Beau Bledsoe – guitar
Ezgi Karakus – cello
John Currey – percussion