Home » Member Page

Susan Krebs

Jazz Gardener

About Me

Susan Krebs ~ JAZZ GARDENER



An avid gardener and bird lover, Krebs says her work is “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.”

A native of Baltimore, Susan grew up in a home filled with the sounds of Bach, Beethoven, Gilbert & Sullivan, Broadway, Billie, Ella and the Blues of Bessie. She studied acting in New York City with Uta Hagen, appearing in Off-Broadway plays and musicals and TV commercials, as well as performing with the improvisational theater company, War Babies.



Susan moved to Los Angeles in 1976, where she continued her acting career, appearing in film (28 Days), theater (Mrs. California) and dozens of TV shows (MASH, Mad Men, Shameless). She wrote and performed her solo musical revue, LUNAR I, and was a founding member of the all-women’s improvisational company, The WIMS. She also appeared in the contemporary opera, A String of Pearls, both in L.A and at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Theater. Throughout Susan’s career as an actor and improviser, her real passion was always for the Music, studying with the master jazz singers, Sue Raney and Sheila Jordan, and performing regularly as a vocalist.

In late June and December, 2019, Susan’s continuing passion project, the multimedia concert, JAZZ AVIARY, returned in its newest incarnation, after a near decade’s hiatus. Thrilling nights for all concerned; the concert is right on time — more relevant and resonant than ever in today’s world - and a balm! May it take flight again!

Krebs performs regularly throughout Southern California, including such venues as: L.A. County Museum of Art, Blue Whale, Jazz Bakery, Jazz Fresno, and The Grape. She also hosts and performs regularly with the Susan Krebs Chamber Band in her jazz salon, Salon on Buffalo.

Her most recent recording projects include:



DAYBREAK ~ Susan Krebs with Mixed Remotions (2021)

SPRING ~ Light Out of Darkness ~ Susan Krebs Chamber Band (2018)

Trio WoRK with ken Wild & tom Rizzo (2018)

SIMPLE GIFTS ~ Susan Krebs Chamber Band (2015)



Other Recordings:

EVERYTHING MUST CHANGE ~ The Susan Krebs Band (2012)

JAZZ AVIARY ~ Susan Krebs & The Soaring Sextet (2007)

WHAT AM I HERE FOR? ~ The Susan Krebs Group (2002)

JAZZ GARDENER ~ Susan Krebs (1999)

My Jazz Story

I love jazz because... I was first exposed to jazz... I met [musician name]... The best show I ever attended was... The first jazz record I bought was... My advice to new listeners... Or whatever else you have in mind.