Artist description Electric violinist Susie Hansen is an exhilarating artist in Latin Jazz. Hansen and her talented musicians have created an invigorating and appealing sound that brings audiences to their feet, dancing in the aisles. With her powerful electric violin in the forefront and an accompanying crew of some of Los Angeles' finest Latin musicians, Hansen's approach to Latin Jazz and Salsa is captivating.

Music Style Latin Jazz and Salsa

Musical Influences Tito Puente, Poncho Sanchez, Alfredo de la Fey, Stephane Grapelli

Similar Artists Tito Puente, Poncho Sanchez, Alfredo de la Fey, Stephane Grapelli

Artist History Susie Hansen is a long time favorite in Los Angeles, where she has led her band since 1990. Recently she was featured as a soloist with Orquesta Los Van Van, Cuba's premier dance orchestra, both in Los Angeles on their 1997 debut U.S. concert tour, as well as in Havana, Cuba, for the opening night of Carnaval in February, 1997. Hansen has been heard at the Playboy Jazz Festival, Fiesta Broadway, Fresno Latin Jazz Fest, Newport Beach Jazz Fest, and various community concerts throughout Southern California. She plays regularly at such clubs as the Baked Potato, La Bamba, the Jazz Bakery and the Whittier Hilton Hotel. She has appeared as a guest artist with Tito Puente, Orquesta Aragon, Giovani Hidalgo, Paquito d'Rivera, Orquesta Broadway, Rachel Z, El Gran Combo, and Sonora Ponceña.

Group Members Susie Hansen, Tiki Pasillas, Joe Rotondi, Joe De Leon, Rene Camacho, Ruben Esteva, David Stout, Steve Marsh, Kerry Loeschen, Nelson Amador

Instruments Electric Violin

Albums Solo Flight

Press Reviews "I've heard my share of sizzling salsa bands over the years but I don't recall, until Friday night, ever listening to a sizzling, swinging salsa band. Certainly not one to match the eight-piece Latin jazz ensemble that the ebullient blonde violinist Susie Hansen brought up from L.A. to Mr. E's for the weekend." Phil Elwood, SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER "It's hard not to be moved by violinist Susie Hansen's vibrant Latin-based sound. There's a compelling energy, a winsome sense of melody that grabs hold of a listener." Zan Stewart, LOS ANGELES TIMES "Her impeccable technique...and swinging, lyrical style makes her violin speak the language of Latin jazz with total fluency. Hansen and her L.A.-based group achieve a rhythmic groove that's nothing less than hypnotizing." Mark Holston, JAZZIZ MAGAZINE "Hansen has scored a hit with 'Solo Flight'." Mal Sands, LA JAZZ SCENE Ella encabeza una de las agrupaciones más destacadas de jazz latino en Los Angeles. Raymundo Reynoso, LA OPINIÓN, Los Angeles Hansen...knows how to make it cook. She twists her electric fiddle with personality, drawing out fluid runs and melodies. Hansen and the fellas sizzle." Jac Zinder, LA WEEKLY "She has developed her own combustible approach....Considering the career obstacles for a woman in jazz and one who plays the electric violin and an ethnic outsider to Afro-Cuban music, her success is even more impressive." Lloyd Sachs, CHICAGO SUN TIMES "Hansen was a ball of energy--knocking out energetic solo lines, creating an atmosphere of high voltage excitement. She creates a brand of music that is as physically moving as it is intellectually stimulating." Don Heckman, LOS ANGELES TIMES "Susie Hansen...possess a beautiful tone, and is a fine melodic improvisor....She is well worth catching live." Scott Yanow, LA JAZZ SCENE "Susie Hansen...is turning into one of the major interpreters of Salsa in Los Angeles." [translated] Miguel Angel Rodriquez, LA OPINIÓN, Los Angeles "What violinist Susie Hansen delivers can be summed up in a single word: energy. Hansen...is becoming one of Southern California's most popular Latin Jazz artists." Zan Stewart, LOS ANGELES TIMES "...a talented, vibrant pioneer." Susan Wilson, BOSTON GLOBE

Location Los Angeles, CA - USA

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