Early Show! Ladino Songstress: Nani Vazana

With a voice as powerful as a ship’s horn and irresistible stage presence, Nani Vazana defends the endangered Ladino language with her captivating performances.

Nani learned Ladino, a very archaic form of Castilian Spanish mixed somewhat with Hebrew elements, from her Moroccan grandmother in hiding, as her father forbade Ladino at home. Her migration story seeps into her songwriting, fusing the sounds of the marketplace with the drama of flamenco.

Nani’s work has garnered several accolades, including a Library of Congress Living Relic Honor (2023), a spot on the International World Music Chart (2022), and a spot on World Music Chart Europe (2022).

Cost: $10 at the door