Bernie Senensky
Bernard Melvin Senensky (born December 31, 1944) is a Canadian jazz pianist, organist, and composer.
Bernie Senensky | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Bernard Melvin Senensky |
| Born | December 31, 1944 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer |
| Instrument(s) | Piano, organ |
| Years active | 1970s–present |
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] Senensky has recorded several small group albums since 1975.[4]
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] The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz states that "His playing is characterized by his obvious comfort in a wide range of styles, from swing to the assertive post-bop of his own groups."[4]
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) |
| 1989 | Friday the 14th | Unity | Trio, with Kieran Overs (bass), Barry Elmes (drums) |
| 1991 | Re: Action | Unity | Septet |
| 1991 | Homeland | Timeless | Quartet, with Gary Bartz (alto sax, soprano sax), Harvie Swartz (bass), Akira Tana (drums) |
| 1993 | Wheel Within a Wheel | Timeless | Quartet, with Bobby Watson (alto sax, soprano sax), Ray Drummond (bass), Marvin "Smitty" Smith (drums) |
| 1996 | 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:[5]
References
- "Bernie Senensky – Biography"[Usurped!]. Canadian Jazz Archive. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
- Yanow, Scott "Bernie Senensky". AllMusic. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
- Hum, Peter (September 23, 2014) "The Bernie Senensky Interview". Ottawa Citizen.
- Miller, Mark "Senensky, Bernie (Bernard Melvyn)". The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz (2nd ed.). Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 22 May 2015. (Subscription required).
- "Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved February 16, 2015.