Nani's blog
the Spanish Yiddish
If Yiddish is the language of Ashkenazi Jews, then Ladino is the language of Sephardic Jews – you could call it the Spanish Yiddish! When the Jews were expelled from the Iberian peninsula back in the time of Columbus, they brought the language of their region to new countries: the north of Africa and the Ottoman Empire were the most welcoming harbours of hope at the time.
MASTER THE ART OF PACKING LIGHT IN THE AGE OF THE PERSONAL ITEM
As I’m standing in yet another security line at Amsterdam airport, it hits me like a rogue overhead bin door: packing light is my superpower. Airlines are tightening their regulations like Spanx at a wedding, and I’ve got to get my essentials to fit into a personal item allowance. As a musician, convincing airline staff that my Trombone is an emotional support animal? Yeah, spoiler alert: that hardly ever works. So, I’ve turned packing light into an art form. It’s not just about saving money—it’s a matter of principle. Efficiency, freedom, and the smug satisfaction of gliding through security like a minimalist ninja are my new mantras.
Con los anyos viene el sechel (with the years comes the wisdom)
Nani Noam Vazana is one of the only artists in the world that write & compose new songs in the endangered Ladino language. In her new album “Ke Haber” (which means “What’s New” in Ladino) 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.
WITH A RAISED VOICE
״Nani is an accomplished artist who masters nuances & phrasing as stylistically confident as the intricate rhythms and pulsating riffs command. It is remarkable how instinctively she shapes a rollercoaster of emotions in ballads with while accompanying herself on the piano & her earthy trombone, and delighting the audience with her scatting melismas”
Sephardic fairytale: “Las Fadas” (The Fairies)
In the Sephardic tradition, this practice is for welcoming baby girls into the world — Las Fadas — dates back to medieval Spain, before the expulsion in 1492. It is a ceremony that was held about two weeks after the baby’s birth. The family would invite family and friends to their home, the rabbi would make a speech and then the guests would each take a turn holding the baby, offering blessings and speaking about their hopes for this new life.
Passover Keto Bars!
My favourite Passover hobby is making desserts! (while listening to Ladino music 
). But I can’t eat grains or coconut so I came up with this gluten free recipe for Passover Keto Bars! These low carb Chocolate salted Caramel & Hazelnuts bars are grain free & gluten free & were the hit of the night @ our Seder dinner! I’m glad I took some photos before they were gone 🙂
Ladino pride: El Gacela (The gazelle)
When I researched for some texts for my new album of original Ladino songs I only found religious texts, so I went to a library in Leiden, NL and there I met a Rabbi who showed me some secular texts.
This is one stood out as surprisings & powerful: a homoerotic poem from the 11th century written by Jewish saint Shmuel Hanagid.
Jewish Christmas
When I was a kid I really wanted to celebrate Christmas. I saw it in the movies and how much love was invested into all that celebration.
It felt as if it reminded people what it meant to be generous and forgiving, and how important it is to bring the light in instead of just waiting around for it to shine your way.
But tradition!
Çok seni severim (I love you too much)
Nani Noam Vazana is one of the only artists in the world that write & compose new songs in the endangered Ladino language. In her new album “Ke Haber” (which means “What’s New” in Ladino) 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.