Susan Hoffman Watts

Susan Hoffman Watts represents the youngest generation of an important klezmer dynasty that reaches back to the Jewish Ukraine of the 19th century, beginning with her great-grandfather, musician, composer, cornet-player, and poet, Joseph Hoffman. Susan is the sole living purveyor of the family’s traditional klezmer-style trumpet sounds which electrified audiences for decades.

In addition to playing with a variety of noted klezmer musicians from around the world, Watts has recorded, performed, and sung with Frank London’s Klezmer Brass All-Stars, Henkus Netsky, Klezmer Concervatory Band, The Klezmatics, So-Called, Claire Barry, Mandy Pitankin, Dudu Fischer, Mikveh, Shtreimel, The Klez Dispensers,. Susan also has performed with her mother, the great klezmer drummer Elaine Hoffman Watts, in their Philadelphia-based group, the Fabulous Shpielkehs. Watts is also a composer and arranger, and her repertoire is filled with Hoffman family repertoire: generations of klezmer compositions from her great grandfather, grandfather and now Susan’s additions to the family cannon. Susan is a 2015 Pew Fellow and the recipient of two Leeway Foundation Grants, all centered on using klezmer as a social change agent.