Ana Dammi Falastini
On Twelfth Night, 2024, a multicultural New Orleans brass band commandeered the first parade of Carnival, launching the New Orleans Musicians for Palestine (NM4P) collective to bring attention to the Israeli state’s attacks on Gaza. Since then, the collective expanded, and now includes the Hanoun Brass Band; a Carnival krewe called Krewe of Zeitoun; and a network of individual bands and musicians in solidarity. Together, they led a joyful “right of return” parade last Lundi Gras, bringing Palestinian and Arabic music, culture, and a spirit of resistance to Mardi Gras.
This September 5, Hanoun Brass Band will be releasing their first single, an arrangement of Ana Dammi Falastini (My blood Is Palestinian). All proceeds from the release will be donated to organizations supporting Palestinian rights.
The song, written by Arab Idol winner Mohammed Assaf, is a true expression of Palestinian identity. Played at protests and weddings, often accompanied by the traditional dabke dance, the song feels like a modern Palestinian national anthem.
Recorded at the Material Institute and arranged by Simon Moushabeck, this release reminds us that Palestinians are still denied agency, dignity and self-determination.
They live in a world where musical instruments are banned from entering Gaza for “security reasons” and music teachers have students sing along with the overhelming sound of military drones, to make it into something beautiful (or, at least, more tolerable.)
With this release, Hanoun Brass Band and New Orleans Musicians for Palestine declare our fierce opposition to genocide, & stand in solidarity with Palestinians — supporting their right to live on their ancestral land, in their own free country.
Yallah!
Release credits
Musicians:
- Trumpets: Abulaila Schwartz, Romain Beauxis
- Saxophones: Cory Diane, Lexxxi Pink
- Cornets: Amanda Blackshaw, Azad Safavi
- Trombones: Glennon Davalos Stanton, Riley Goodemote, Susan Sakash
- Mid-horn: Shaye Cohn
- Accordion: Simon Moushabeck
- Derboukas: Marco Saah, Jennifer Whitney
- Percussions: Saiya
- Snare: Carl Patrick
- Bass drum: Godzilla McGillicuddy
- Sousaphone: Adam Lessnau
- Guitar: Ahmed Hosam Refai
- Vocals: Anisah Sahibul
Cover photo: A. Hennen Payne
Written by: Mohammad Assaf
Arrangement: Simon Moushabeck
Recorded at the Material Institute on May, 2025
- Recording engineer: Kevin Millen
- Mixing engineer: Adam Keil
- Master: Kevin Nix
- Production: Romain Beauxis & Hanoun Brass Band
Single release
Release show
- September, 12
- Location: Mudlark Theatre
- Time: 8p