Latin Sounds Wrap up Santa Monica's Jazz on the Lawn Concert Series Sunday

By Lookout Staff

August 25, 2017 -- The "raucously fun and upbeat sounds" of The Susie Hansen Latin Band will be featured this Sunday in the final performance of Santa Monica's 12th Annual Jazz on the Lawn summer concert series, City officials said.

A twenty-five-year veteran of LA's vibrant Latin Jazz scene, Hansen -- who sings and plays electric violin -- will lead her nine-piece Latin band in renditions of both traditional and original compositions from 5 to 7 p.m., event promoters said.

In addition to Latin-style interpretations of American jazz standards, typico Cuban Charanga music, salsa and cha cha cha in English, the band plays a variety of dance styles that include the Columbian cumbia and Dominican merengue.

Susie Hansen and her band (Photo courtesy of Susie Hansen)

The band, which is known for its rhythmic energy and drive, features Daniel Castillo on lead vocals and congas, Kaspar Abbo on lead vocals and guitar and Joe Rotondi on piano.

A free salsa dance lesson will be offered at 4:30pm with Laura Canellias.

Dogtown Dogs, The Middle Feast and Waffles de Liege will return with their food offerings.

The park -- which includes a children’s playground, restrooms and accessible parking -- is an eight-minute walk from the 26th Street/Bergamot Expo Line Station and served by the Big Blue Bus Route 5 on Olympic Boulevard.

The Gandara Park lot offers free parking as well free bike valet starting at 4 p.m. Free parking also is available after 3:30 p.m. in the nearby Agensys parking lot at 1800 Stewart Street.

The Jazz on the Lawn concert series is presented by the City of Santa Monica with in-kind support provided by Agensys, Inc.

For more information in the series, visit smgov.net/jazz