L.A. Jazz Scene December 1993 More CD's...
-Solo Flight (Jazz Caliente)
It is difficult not to be impressed by Susie Hansen's debut CD. Certainly one of the first violinists to specialize in playing Latin jazz, Hansen performs a dozen well-paced selections on this set, alternating between jazz-oriented instrumentals and salsa featuring the vocals of Cheo Negron and Mike Jimenez. From the jazz standpoint the former is naturally preferred but every selection is enjoyable in its own right.
There are some significant contributions made by trombonist David Stout (who also wrote eight of the arrangements), tenor-saxophonist Pedro Eustache and the various percussionists, but it is the highly appealing violin of Susie Hansen (who possesses a beautiful tone and is a fine melodic improvisor) that makes this a recommended disc. Happily, she frequently performs in local clubs, so on the evidence of this recording, she is also well worth catching live.