Check Out Susan Krebs’ Story ~ Jazz Gardener at Work

Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Krebs ~ Jazz Gardener.

Hi Susan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve been on my performing artist path since early childhood — all singing & dancing in front of the bay window! Growing up in my Baltimore home, it was filled with the sounds of Bach, Beethoven, Gilbert & Sullivan, Broadway musicals and the foundational American vocalists Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. And once my parents introduced me to New York City and Broadway at the age of ten, my life’s path was before me!

I was lucky to receive a first-rate education — immediately moved to NYC with my BA in Drama & Dance in hand! For a time, I sold encyclopedias door to door and waited tables, while I studied voice, improvisation and acting with theater legend Uta Hagen. I appeared in Off-Off-Broadway plays and musicals and TV commercials (allowing me to quit my day gigs!). I also performed with the improvisational theater company War Babies for 10 years. We relocated to Los Angeles in 1976 for better work opportunities. My acting career blossomed: I worked in theater, animation, commercials, TV and film (such as MASH, 28 Days, Mad Men, Shameless.) I was a working actor for near 35 years. I’m grateful for the good ride — and for my SAG/AFTRA union pension!

Throughout my actor years, I never lost sight of my primary passion for music — studying with Jazz master vocalists Sue Raney and Sheila Jordan, and performing regularly in SoCal. I left the acting business over 20 years ago so that I might fully focus on my heart work as a Jazz artist with my longtime musical collaborators. While it might seem like a leap from acting to singing, decades of experience in theatrical improvisation honed adjacent creative Jazz chops. I was a founding member of the all-women long-form Improvisational theater company, the WIMS for 20 years. The Art of Improvisation has always been for me the most fun and satisfying work – both in the theater and on the bandstand.

Ten recordings later, my Jazz story continues — still living my dream at the end of my 8th decade. I’m ever grateful

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It is always challenging to go your own way as an Indie artist — but it is also a kind of freedom — often exhilarating – to set your sights on sharing your art authentically – in truth and beauty — to cultivate a brave heart — to tell your tales — to learn and grow from the eventual ups & downs. So satisfying to be the boss of you!
Once you understand that the only constant is change, life is easier. The basic tenet of the Art of Improvisation and a good instruction for living is: “Yes, and…”, Yes, and…”, Yes, and…”
In my “late middle years” (early 1990’s), my life was falling apart, and I was suffering deep confusion and grief. Thankfully, I was given sanctuary by an old pal – a four-month retreat beneath the Grand Tetons in Wyoming, where I experienced something of an epiphany: I’d always been a bird lover and avid gardener (coming from generations of gardeners.). I came to see my relationship with music as a parallel creative pursuit. Rather than perfecting a polished project, music, like gardening, is an ongoing process about the art of becoming – whether working with plants or music or with oneself – to dig down, to cultivate, to encourage growth, to thrive and flourish, and eventually to let go and begin the cycle anew. I became the “Jazz Gardener”.

I’ve survived my share of health challenges. I take full advantage of my present good health: singing out on the bandstand, creating new projects, spending time in my garden, and gathering with my friends to spark joy!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’ve performed throughout Southern California, including venues such as L.A. County Museum of Art, Blue Whale, Catalina’s, Jazz Bakery, Jazz @ The Merc, Kulak’s, Jazz Fresno, Vitello’s, and The Grape

Special Projects:

 The WIMS = Long-form improvisational company of seven women performing through 2006 – singing, percussion and free sonic work were a huge part of our sets – as we jammed on personal check-ins, dreams, politics and rituals. I am ever grateful for our 20-year collaboration. My WIM Work continues to this day as a Jazz vocalist.

In our near 30 years of collaboration,
Susan Krebs and The Local Outfit (current moniker!)
have often explored themed concerts,
drawing from our wide Musical Repertoire,
threaded with Poetry, Spoken Word and Free Sonic Play.
Such as >

 JAZZ AVIARY ~ A Celebration of Birds & the Universal Music We Share = Susan Krebs & The Soaring Sextet = Multimedia concert/recording (2005 – Ongoing)

 ThemeScene Salons w Susan Krebs Chamber Band

i.e. CARDIOLOGY; Out of This World; ENOUGH Supplied repertoire for two recordings: Simple Gifts and SPRING ~ Light out of Darkness

 SOUL FUEL ~ Antidotes for What Ails Us
Susan Krebs & The Local Outfit
is our current ever-evolving project, offering personal tales, tips, and thoughts in remaining joyfully resilient and human during these anxious and changing times ~ sharing the view from late in my 8th decade of living.

Little Did I Dream ~ Our latest recording *
FYI = We’re at Birds of a Feather/DTLA ~ THUR Oct 22 7-8:30

 Trio WoRK = It’s been my pleasure and privilege to make music with virtuosic musicians Ken Wild and Tom Rizzo for over 8 years — we are a delightful trio if I do say so myself — with 2 recordings: Trio WoRK; Dancing in the Dark ~ Trio WoRK

 Salon on Buffalo = Joy in community.
In these chaotic times, it’s so important for us to gather – to raise our spirits, building joyful resilience and resolve in community.
Such is my Salon on Buffalo Sunday afternoon concert series of transformative music and human connection – a welcome balm with a very high hang after!
Jazz musicians savor the opportunity to play their music in an intimate and resonant listening space, and folks leave my parlor moved and lifted. I believe there is a ripple effect out into the world from the salon’s good vibrations – of both the in-person and live-streaming concert.
Its Sixth year ahead = (1.24.27 – 5.16.27)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://susankrebsmusic.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566128237816
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jazzgardener
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jazzgardener
• Other: https://susankrebs.bandcamp.com