Bernie Senensky

Bernie Senensky
Born 1944 (age 70–71)
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Genres Jazz
Occupation(s) Musician, composer
Instruments Piano, organ
Years active 1970s–present
Associated acts Moe Koffman

Bernie Senensky (born December 31, 1944) is a Canadian jazz pianist, organist, and composer.

Life and career

Senensky was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on December 31, 1944.[1][2] He had classical piano lessons from the age of nine and became interested in jazz at about 15.[2][3] He had one jazz teacher, and thereafter was self-taught.[3]

He moved permanently to Toronto in 1968.[2] He played briefly with high profile visiting musicians, including Chet Baker, Art Blakey, Art Farmer, and Art Pepper.[3] Senensky played with Moe Koffman between 1980 and 2000; they toured internationally for several years.[3]

Playing style and influences

Senensky described himself as "essentially a bebop player, and beyond. My heroes are anyone from Bud Powell to McCoy Tyner to Keith Jarrett and Herbie Hancock".[3] Senensky was influenced on organ by Larry Goldings, Mike LeDonne, and Larry Young.[3]

Discography

An asterisk (*) indicates that the year is that of release.

As leader/co-leader

Year recorded Title Label Personnel/Notes
1975 New Life PM Trio, with Michel Donato (bass), Marty Morell (drums)
1991 Re: Action Unity Septet
1991 Homeland Timeless Quartet, with Gary Bartz (alto sax, soprano sax), Harvie Swartz (bass), Akira Tana (drums)
1993 Rhapsody Timeless Trio, with Jim Vivian (bass), Bob Moses (drums)
1995 New Horizons Timeless Quintet, with Kirk McDonald (sax), Eddie Henderson (trumpet), Neil Swainson (bass), Jerry Fuller (drums)

Main source:[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Bernie Senensky – Biography". Canadian Jazz Archive. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Yanow, Scott "Bernie Senensky". AllMusic. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Hum, Peter (September 23, 2014) "The Bernie Senensky Interview". Ottawa Citizen.
  4. ↑ "Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved February 16, 2015.