What People Are Saying ​

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"Venissa Santi is one of the most beguiling voices in music today. She infuses her songs with ingenious vocalastics to captivate the soul of her listeners. The tone and texture of her voice recalls to mind the sensuous rustle of fine silk. Harmonically adventurous Ms. Santi is capable of singing in a myriad of quarter tones until she hits the root note of a chord. On the music of her album, Big Stuff, she re-imagines timeless classics with prodigious brilliance while raising the bar on traditional Afro-Cuban folk forms. Ms. Santi will be presenting the songs from her exquisite album with the fine ensemble together with guest artists: the legendary Canadian soprano saxophonist and flutist, the Grammy-nominated and Juno Award-winning Jane Bunnett together with her mystical sounding trumpet and flugelhorn partner, Larry Cramer. Ms. Bunnett, known as “Havana Jane” to the legion of Cuban musicians and collaborators she has introduced to the world—from pianist David Virelles to drummer Dafnis Prieto—has also played with Don Pullen and Stanley Cowell and Paul Bley."

Raul Da Gama Rose

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​..".Venissa Santi of Philadelphia is excellent. I think we’re going to hear a lot from this young lady!”

--Ruben Blades, rubenblades.com

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​“When I hear a singer like Venissa Santi ...what I love is her audacity that in a song like this there doesn’t exist limitations, such that this is a Bolero and it should be played with bongos etc. so she breaks those standards and introduces it as a Blues... When music is made with a sense of adventure and creativity you actually could affect how people think in the world …what she is doing impressively is breaking stereotypes and that fills me up with so much satisfaction and so much energy to continue ahead, ...knowing that there are no routines and that things should be interpreted in a certain way. I would love to go to Chicago and see a blues player try to sing “Como Fue” it’s incredible. Her voice has a tone that is very original and very special. I believe you hear that voice and you won’t forget it” --Danilo Perez Latin Jazz Pianist/ Composer

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​“Venissa Santi- is a refreshing spirit, an extraordinarily talented and diverse musician with a knack for making the unexpected so welcome, so understood. Bienvenida is not only a rich offering of gorgeous familiar and original melodies, it is a testament to the art of blending old and new wrapped in the warmth of her sensual voice. With her stellar supporting cast, Santi gives us new sound that defies borders, language and categorization. This album is a treasure, as is this gifted singer-songwriter.” --Rebeca Mauleon Latin Jazz Pianist/Author/Educator

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​​”This music is truly refreshing to hear, each track takes the listener deeper into her world, from the beautiful Tender Shepherd, to the Columbia Pa' Miguel Angel. Venissa Santi is definitely a vocalist the world needs to check out!” --Doc Gibbs, percussionist/musical director (Emeril Live Band}


“Bienvenida” es muy sabroso! Such a pleasure to listen to as a complete start- to-finish performance. Filled with many surprises. Venissa’s voice is mixed beautifully with a coy yet sultry nuance. As an old radio announcer I am impressed with her microphone technique. It is very intimate but perfectly controlled . The arrangements and musical selections are excellent and the band is perfect.” --Stan Dunn Radio KJAZ San Francisco/Slacker.com

​“Venissa brings an evocative fresh sound to Latin rhythms. Her compositions and arrangements are inflected with a jazz sensibility, adding texture and depth to her music. Definitely an album to have, and a voice to listen for!” -- Elio Villafranca, Cuban Jazz pianist

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​“This young woman has chops, singing with passion and gusto in the band's own composition, “Malecon” and an off the hook rendition of “Yambú”. I mean not just her voice, but her stage presence and when she started moving those hips, Oh Lord, I think all the guys in unison said, “Oh yeah! She's Cuban”. This was a great opening act and a good sign of things to come. Hopefully, they'll be back to the New York area soon. By the way, they come from Philly”. --Omar Walker, SalsaPower.com