Susan Werner

Since her first self-released album in the early 1990s, Susan Werner has continuously reinvented herself. From jazz to folk to gospel and opera, Werner glides between genres while exploring issues others dare not to undertake. While living in Philadelphia, she put her opera plans aside after a Nanci Griffith concert inspired the Temple alumnae to become a singer-songwriter.

Since then, she has recorded 10 albums, including her breakout 1995 album Last of the Good Straight Girls. In the years to follow, Werner has won widespread recognition for her exploration of folk, gospel, Americana, soul and classical music and in 2008 was named "Best Contemporary Folk Artist" by International Folk Alliance. She released her latest album, Kicking The Beehive, in March, and performed on the World Cafe with David Dye. You can listen to the full session and hear her play live at WorldCafe.NPR.org.