Welcome everyone! We invite you to a unique musical journey, bringing together different musical instruments and influences from around the Mediterranean. We are honored and delighted to be part of
Arts Midwest World Fest.
A little background about BALADINO. BALADINO is a combination of two words which represent central themes in this ensemble’s mission. The first word, “
BALADI
” means “land” in Arabic. The music we play comes from our homeland (Israel) – a country comprised of Diaspora Jews who migrated from different parts of the world. These migrations have enriched the area and the musical influences from the
Middle East, Europe and Africa became a major part of the culture itself. As Israelis born to immigrant parents, particularly from Middle Eastern countries, we find a deep connection to our parents’ countries of origin, musically and culturally. This is very significant to us since, in many cases, we are unable to visit these places.
The second word, “ LADINO
” originated in Spain, and refers to both the language and the culture of Sephardic Jews who lived in Spain up until the 15 th century. After the expulsion of the Jews from
Spain in 1492, the Ladino tradition was cherished and kept and is still active in various communities to this day. The songs we perform are in Ladino and come from this culture. Staying loyal to this rich tradition, we added various nuances. Our modern take on this music is versatile and emphasizes the multiplicity embedded in our land and culture.
This band was conceived by multi-wind instrumentalist Yonnie Dror and string player Tomer Moked.
After years of working intensely with Israel’s most respected performers, the two band members were in search of a different musical vocabulary, and spent most of their meetings developing concepts and ideas about how to combine tradition and creativity. Enhancing the band’s musical identity is the singer Yael
Badash who brought with her an important collection of Ladino songs belonging to her ancestors. Both
Daniel Sapir on the upright bass , and Yshai Afterman, master of Middle Eastern percussion, produce the unique musical beat of BALADINO, combining rhythms from Turkey, Iraq, Egypt and the
Mediterranean. –Yonnie Dror
Baladino’s concert will be performed without intermission and will include many or all of the following songs:
IMI IMI-"My Mother My Mother"
Imi Imi is a contemporary Israeli song by Ahuva Ozeri, an artist, composer and singer who achieved widespread acclaim in the seventies. The song includes Middle Eastern nuances and musical motifs and represents the Jewish Yemenite community’s great contribution to Israeli music. Imi Imi tells the story of a soldier at war, who longs for his mother's warmth and comfort.
Ir me Kero a Yerushalayim-"I Want To Go To Jerusalem"
The origins of this beautiful Jewish Sephardic song come from the Jewish Sephardic communities that left Spain and Portugal in 14th and 15th century. The Sephardic exile communities continued to speak Ladino and preserve their culture and customs in their new homelands all around the
Ottoman Empire. The song’s origins are from Bulgaria and Turkey. It describes the longing for the holy City Jerusalem, during the time of the Jewish Diaspora and conveys the love and devotion to God.
La Kumida 'la Manyana-"The Food of the Morning"
This song’s origins are found in Jerusalem and in Turkey. Sung by a young woman who is anxious about getting married, she recites to her mother, “The morning meal--in the evening I’ll bring it back, until my mother allows me to marry you.” (Meaning she will not eat until she is engaged to her beloved.)
Hadesh Kekedem Yamenu-“Renew as of Old Days”
A liturgical poem written by Rabi Chaim Bejerano in the 19 th Century, known to the Jewish community in Istanbul, Turkey. The ode ( PIYUT in Hebrew) is about the prayers made to God, pleading to return to the Promised Land (Zion) and live with dignity and no longer as an oppressed minority in the Diaspora.

Zemer Ahava Layam-“Love Song for the Sea”
Lyrics: Refael Eliaz; Music: Sasha Argov
Born in Moscow, composer Sasha Argov 1914-1995 was a central figure in the development of
Israeli music. Sasha Argov composed over a thousand songs to the words of Israeli poets. His compositions are a good example of the European influence of music that developed in Israel in the 20 th century.
La Esklava (The Slave)
This song tells the story of two captive sisters - one a queen and the other a slave - who were separated in childhood. They give birth to children born from the same king at the same time and they recognize each other as they sing to their newborn babies. The text of this song appears in a manuscript copied in 1702 by Rabbi ben Moshe Mikael Hacohen .
La Ligua de Caza-“The Language of My Home”
Music and lyrics: Ziva Atar
Ziva Atar is one of the most important figures in Ladino culture today. Not only a song writer,
Ziva is also a singer and an important scholar of Jewish chants from North Africa. This song won awards in 2005 and 2011 as best Ladino song in the "Festiladino" which is a festival of original
Ladino songs. The singer in both 2005 and 2011 was our own Yael Badash
A, Sinyora Novia-“Hey, Lady Bride”
This is a traditional Ladino wedding song. The bride prepares for her wedding day (combs her hair, puts on her wedding gown) and is awaits her groom. During her preparations, the guests are calling her, asking to see her, yet she remains busy in her room getting ready. The crowd finally says to her, "When you see your groom, take his hand and put it in yours, since this is the man you will need to serve." (This song can be interpreted either as comic or tragic, as in ancient times it was common for men to treat their women as slaves.)
Tzur Mishelo-“The Lord Our Rock”
This song has two texts of different origins. The first text is an ancient Hebrew chant which was sung as the grace after meals. It was probably written in Northern France during the 14 th Century.
The second text, "Los bilbilikos Kantan" is in Ladino and describes the pain of love and the singing of birds upon the arrival of spring.
Dos Amantes-“Two Lovers/Suitors”
This Ladino song deals with matchmaking doubts. A young woman consults her mother, "I have two suitors. Which one of them shall I choose? Both of them are tailors: one of them makes ordinary pants, and the other makes custom made pants [the second tailor is more of an artist.]
The first one I cheat on and the second one I love.”
Si Veriah a la Rana-“If I Would Have Seen the Frog”
This song merges two languages: Ladino and Turkish. The verses in the song are amusing and tell stories about animals (a frog, a camel and a mouse) that prepare traditional food, which they share with their little siblings. The chorus of the song is in Turkish, saying: "I love you, I love you"
Kuando el rey Nimrod-“When King Nimrod”
This Ladino folk song (also called Avraham Avinu , "Abraham our father") tells the story of the birth of Abraham, and in it are also ancient stories from the Hebrew Bible and the New
Testaments. The core of the song is based on the confrontation between Abraham and King
Nimrod, particularly as it is told in one of the biblical interpretations that preceded the book of
Genesis. King Nimrod sees a star that predicts the birth of Abraham and, feeling threatened, he orders the killing of every newborn. Saving her son’s life, Abraham’s mother escapes to the fields to give birth. As an adult, Abraham declares his belief and devotion to God and clashes with
Nimrod as a result. King Nimrod orders Abraham’s death by burning but does not succeed in his effort and Abraham’s life is spared once again

Baladino ensemble members:
Yael Badash, Lead vocal
Yonnie Dror, Wind instruments
Tomer Moked, Violin, guitar, oud
Daniel Sapir, Upright bass
Yshai Afterman, Mediterranean Percussion
Additional Tour Members
Evgeny Krolik, Sound engineer
Eric Young Smith, Road manager
For more information about Baladino please visit: http://www.baladino.com/ https://www.facebook.com/baladinomusic http://www.youtube.com/user/Baladinomusic http://soundcloud.com/baladino http://baladino.bandcamp.com/