Susie Hansen studied classical music as a child. Later, she earned a graduate degree in computer science at MIT. But, a singer at heart, she just wasn’t fulfilled.
“I decided I really needed to go back to music,” Hansen said. “Jazz was the only thing that held me until I discovered Latin jazz 26 years ago.”
Thus, Susie Hansen Latin Band was born.
Her six-piece performs Sunday afternoon at Fisherman’s Village, capping off a double shot of Latin music in Marina del Rey that begins Saturday afternoon with a concert by Charangoa, a charanga-charged Cuban orchestra led by Fay Roberts.
The Susie Hansen Latin Band, featuring longtime pianist Joe Rotondi, has played Fisherman’s Village for 23 years.
“It’s beautiful, and we get a lot of great dancers from the Westside who like to come down there and strut their stuff,” Hansen said. Expect a Frank Sinatra cha-cha medley, some Tito Puentes, “and a lot of original music that the people know well and request.”
Any regrets about choosing a career in mambos over megabytes?
“Well, my banker regrets it,” she said, laughing.
Charangoa plays from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and the Susie Hansen Latin Band from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Fisherman’s Village, 13755 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey. susiehansen.com; charangoa.com
