We saw Susan Werner in concert last night at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis. She was to be on a double-bill with Willy Porter, but Willy was unfortunately struck with the flu, and had to cancel. Fortunately, Susan was asked to do two sets instead of one.

Susan is a singer/songwriter from Chicago by way of Philadelphia and Iowa. She has a crystal pure voice capable of subtle jazz ("Maybe If I Sang Cole Porter"), traditional-style folk ("This Old Yellow House"), honky-tonk country ("Jes*s Chr*st Ain't I Lonely Tonight") and any other genre Susan decides to wrap her pipes around.

Her vocal abilities are matched by her guitar and piano work. She jumped easily on the piano from another original jazz tune ("I Don't Miss You Much At All") to a boogie number ("It Would Be Nice To See You Again - Again").

I spoke with Susan after the show, and she said she has a planned new album, slated to be out in August 2001. She is also working on a project for 2002 to ORCHESTRATE several of her jazz tunes, and perform them in gown, heels and full regalia.

Susan has four albums out, her latest is "Time Between Trains". She is bound for Madison tonight, and if Mr. Porter is well, will join her there. We have been following Susan since we saw her at the Winnipeg Folk Festival in 1999, and were fortunate enough to snag her for an intimate house concert that fall. If you've seen her before, you know what a great show Susan offers. If you haven't, do yourself a favor and catch her when she comes through your town.

Susan's Schedule

Susan's website

Just a fan...

- Al