NORMA ZENTENO - CRITIC'S QUOTES

"Houston's premier Latin-jazz / Salsa band." The Houston Chronicle "Truly incredible Latin-jazz" Paul Harisim, The Houston Post

Seek Out...The Norma Zenteno Band. Led by the daughter of Houston's First Family of Salsa, with a coterie of brothers and longtime friends, Norma's band achieves warmth and intimacy with an audience normally kept at arms length by the distant demeanor of many jazz-influenced groups. Further heat is generated by the decidedly funky bias of the Latin rhythms and the fine solo voice of saxophonist/flutist Lindy Pollard. But it's Norma's voice both as a singer and songwriter- that infuses the group with the unique personality that won..." Houston City Magazine

"NORMA ZENTENO, who, according to Houston Chronicle music critic Rick Mitchell, leads the top Latin jazz band in the city..." The Jazz and Blues Lover's Guide to the U.S.

"Nobody plays Latin jazz like THE NORMA ZENTENO BAND. Houston's finest and most visible Latin jazz combo." The Houston Press

"....NORMA ZENTENO opened.... With a hip-shaking, 50 minute set of Latin flavored jazz. Think of Carlos Santana with a Ruben Blades y Seis Del Solar, and you wouldn't be to far off. Zenteno has a deep, sinfully sensuous voice that seems to work best on such super-charged salsa compositions as 'Amor is Love' (written by Zenteno)." Tim Carmen, The Houston Post

"Norma Zenteno - Though she's nowhere near old enough to be a living legend, those who have witnessed Zenteno's live amalgam of Caribbeana...and free-form jazz place the se–orita among Houston's finest local musicians." The Houston Post

"....a highly professional Latin jazz group that is a constant poll-winner on its home turf, headlines the showcase. Zenteno is a major talent who surrounds herself with strong instrumentalists to create a sound that is capable of satisfying jazz listeners as well as keeping the dancers busy. Michael Point, Austin American Statesman

"Norma is great and her band is hot as a pistol. Fine stuff....a kick-ass band. With blends of Latin drums, soulful songs and arrangements designed to display their punch.... should be seen." Public News

"This is the stuff that brings people on to the dance floor: Salsa music,slinky and hot.... Musically, one of Houston's better groups and certainly the best salsa band in the city. Aaron Howard, Public News

"...the eclectic ensemble has mastered a wide-ranging repertoire, from original compositions by Zenteno to slick Brazilian sambas and rearrangements of new Cuban music. The rock influence is also there as Zenteno spent the better half of the 70's playing the Houston rock scene..." Alfredo Alvarado

"....blends their original Latin jazz into a sound that has got to be heard.." Houston Scene

"If you came to the Texas Jazz Festival hungry for jazz but craving a unique zesty flavor, Norma Zenteno serves what you want! ...Zenteno sings music, writes music, and performs incorporating her novel personality to produce a unique style of hot jazz..." Corpus Christi / Texas Jazz Festival

"The Osmonds, Jacksons - and the Zentenos"?...Music is middle name of this Mexican-American family" Headline for Houston Chronicle Lifestyle section (1984)