The Jazz Gardener. That is Susan Krebs’ moniker, her clever nickname. “Clever” is the key operative here. Over the past 30 years and 10 recordings, Krebs has shown a creative restlessness in her project concepts, band formats, and thematic direction. This has made for a rich and rewarding discography that reveals the many facets of its principal. Little Did I Dream results from the singer’s COVID-19 lockdown ruminations. It marks Krebs’ return to a more standard recital after her more carefully focused Chamber Band and Trio WoRK recordings.
Krebs’ current offering comprises eight total songs: two originals and six carefully curated standards. Krebs shows off her sharp sense of humor on originals “I Just Don’t Know” (written with pianist Rich Eames) a tome celebrating procrastination and leisure, and “You Bother Me,” a beautiful kiss-off to that pain-in-the-backside one can’t live without. These songs merge well with a dreamy piano-voice duet on the title piece and the sunny treatment of Gus Kahn and Walter Donaldson’s “My Buddy.” Eames plays a friendly and receptive flavor of piano that complements Krebs regardless of the environment.
“The Very Thought of You” is a percussion master class featuring drummer/percussionist Scott Breadman and vibraphonist Jerry Kalaf. Breadman spreads the same craft over “I Remember You,” providing a tincture of the Middle East accented with Rob Lockart’s slippery soprano saxophone. Krebs’ informed voice is as appealing as ever in its honesty and authentic nature. Little Did I Dream is the singer’s love letter to the present, conceived in the past, and looking toward the future.
Discography
Susan Krebs, Jazz Gardener (Self-Produced, 1999)
The Susan Krebs Group, What Am I Here For (GreenGig Music, 2002)
Susan Krebs & The Soaring Sextet, Jazz Aviary (Self-Produced, 2007)
The Susan Krebs Band, Everything Must Change (GreenGig, 2011)
The Susan Krebs Chamber Band, Simple Gifts (Self-Produced, 2015)
Susan Krebs Chamber Band, Spring, Light Out of Darkness (Self-Produced, 2017)
Trio WoRK, Trio WoRK (GreenGig Music, 2018)
Susan Krebs and Mixed Emotions, Daybreak (GreenGig, 2021)
Trio WoRK, dancing in the dark (GreenGig, 2022)
Susan Krebs & The Local Outfit, Little Did I Dream (GreenGig Music, 2025)