She has performed and toured nationally and internationally with many award-winning musicians, including Boz Scaggs, Al Jarreau, Christopher Cross, and Tracy Chapman.
From 1987 to 2021, she released one single and eight full-length solo CDs, issuing her sixth CD, Scarecrow Sessions (Painted Pony Media) on September 30, 2014.
The result of a successful Kickstarter project,[2] the Scarecrow Sessions album is a collection of jazz standards, a tribute to her father, Buddy Ebsen's, life and career.
Today, Ebsen divides her time among writing, recording and performing music, and works with rescued horses, developing educational programs with her California nonprofit organization, The Healing Equine Ranch.
While Kiki was in high school, Buddy Ebsen developed a family troupe, during a hiatus from filming the CBS television show, Barnaby Jones, that went on a tour of southern California.
[4] The Ebsen troupe traveled to dates in Merced, Visalia, Placerville, Sacramento, San Jose, and El Camino College in Torrance.
While featured early in her career on the recordings of several of the musicians with whom she toured, ultimately Kiki signed a contract with the Sin-Drome label, on which she would release her first solo CD.
Additional TV credits include performances with Take Six, Blake Shelton, Glen Campbell, Michelle Branch, Robert Goulet, Dolly Parton, Lee Ann Womack, Gloria Estefan, Kenny Loggins, Melissa Etheridge, Patty Griffin, and many more.
She can be seen and heard on music videos featuring Tracy Chapman[6] and Michael Bolton as well as live concerts video/DVDs from Christopher Cross,[7] Belinda Carlisle, Namie Amuro, and Al Jarreau.
The album, which includes historical photos and stories behind the songs, was completed in time for Father's Day 2014; Kickstarter contributors received their copies in advance of the official release.
[8] Scarecrow Sessions features well-known jazz musicians including John Patitucci on bass and Chuck Loeb on guitar, Henry Hey on piano, and Clint De Ganon on drums.
As noted by music reviewer Jean-Keith Fagon,[9] Kiki "unearthed the yearning torch song “Missing You” when sifting through a box of her father's old scripts and songbooks after his passing.
Over the past 20 years, Ebsen has been invited to join the touring bands of an impressive list of Grammy Award winners, including Christopher Cross, Tracy Chapman, Bill Champlin, Peter Cetera, Michael McDonald, James Ingram, Dave Koz, Boz Scaggs, and Wilson Phillips.
Ebsen's prolific keyboard and vocal work also found her on tours crossing jazz, R&B, rock, and singer-songwriter genres with chart-topping artists Patti Austin, Bobby Caldwell, Colin Hay, Susannah Hoffs, Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil Show, Jeffrey Osborne, Michael Paulo, Al Stewart, and Deniece Williams.
From childhood days, Kiki would sing, one sister, Bonnie, would dance, and her brother, Dustin, would play drums and join their father, Buddy, in presenting entertainment to those in California residential communities and churches, who might be missing visitors and loved ones and appreciate company.
On December 14, 2014, Kiki was among the many accomplished musicians who volunteered to join at the famed Canyon Club and contribute their time, talents, and auction items to the "Mighty Met Acoustic Flashback Benefit in behalf beloved 1970s KMET DJ, Pat Kelley, in his battle with multiple sclerosis.