Conceived and performed by Susan Krebs in collaboration with Producer/Designer Marc Rosenthal, and with the Soaring Sextet, led by Musical Director Rich Eames.
Music, Poetry, Visual Projections, simple Ornithological Facts, and Birdsong are threaded throughout the concert.
A critically acclaimed multimedia concert and recording project, first performed by Susan with her longtime collaborators in 2004, many JAZZ AVIARY concert incarnations followed through 2010. It has remained a passion project for Susan, and she felt called earlier this year to revisit the concert after a nine-year hiatus — as it is now even more relevant and resonant in today’s world.
The Aviary flew again in June, 2019 at the San Fernando Valley Arts & Cultural Center – to an overflowing house and a standing ovation! Uplift for all!
According to scientists, more than 1 in 4 birds have disappeared in the last 50 years, amounting to nearly 3 billion birds lost in North America alone. We are living in the era of global climate disruption; we are anxious and we are grieving. Most all of us have our own personal connection to the natural world, of which we are all a part. How do we cope with the loss? What is our path forward?
Cherokee elder Stan Rushworth instructs us to “Listen to the Song of the Earth” – whether that be birdsong, mountain breeze, rippling brook, or the cricket in your garden! Reconnect with Nature’s vital role in healing the troubled human spirit.
JAZZ AVIARY is a balm for the times we live in – raising spirits, renewing our sacred connection to all living things, our responsibility to protect, and our impact on the planet, through celebrating in wonder and awe of the Avian tribe. We know our concert is right on time!
We sometimes include art exhibits as part of our events, adding another cultural dimension to the evening. A portion of sales from art and JAZZ AVIARY merchandise will go towards supporting various non-profit organizations such as the Audubon Society and the L.A. Regional Food Bank.
We are seeking your support through sponsorship to enable us to offer these multimedia concerts to more communities.
A thoroughly unique show that is innovative, mind stretching, and simply beautiful!
—LA Jazz Scene
Krebs expresses her joyous affection magnificently throughout this fascinating concept project… irresistible offerings from a formidable jazz artist…
This is a treat for lovers of birds, jazz and music that makes the heart soar.
—Jonathan Widran/AMG
A rare and mesmerizing creative experience.
—Int’l Review of Music
Krebs so skillfully invades the likes of “Baltimore Oriole”, “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square”, Lennon and McCartney’s “Blackbird”/ and Abbey Lincoln’s “Bird Alone”, that the result is like a series of delicate yet masterfully constructed origami creatures…
—Christopher Louden – JAZZ TIMES
A native of Baltimore, now a longtime citizen of Los Angeles, Susan Krebs has worked as an actor and theater improviser for many years (Film: 28 Days; TV: Mad Men; Improv: War Babies) but her passion has always been for the music, performing at venues such as Vitellos, LACMA, Blue Whale; as well as in theaters, galleries and living rooms with her jazz salon, Salon on Buffalo.
Her most recent recording projects are with the Susan Krebs Chamber Band: “Simple Gifts” released in 2015, and “SPRING ~ Light Out of Darkness”, in March, 2018 and with her collaborative trio’s recent recording, “trio WoRK” in September, 2018.
Susan is a longtime Audubon member. Her critically acclaimed multimedia concert and recording project, JAZZ AVIARY, is an ongoing concert project.
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