Bernard Melvin 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.. Canadian Jazz Archive. Retrieved February 26, 2015.Yanow, Scott "Bernie Senensky". AllMusic. Retrieved February 26, 2015. He received classical piano lessons from the age of nine and became interested in jazz around age 15.Hum, Peter (September 23, 2014) "The Bernie Senensky Interview". Ottawa Citizen. He had one jazz teacher, and thereafter was self-taught.
He moved permanently to Toronto in 1968. He played briefly with high-profile visiting musicians, including Chet Baker, Art Blakey, Art Farmer, and Art Pepper. Senensky played with Moe Koffman between 1980 and 2000, and they toured internationally for several years. Senensky has recorded several small group albums since 1975.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).
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". Senensky was influenced on organ by Larry Goldings, Mike LeDonne, and Larry Young. 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."
Discography An asterisk (*) indicates that the year is that of release.
As leader/co-leader Year recordedTitleLabelPersonnel/Notes1975New LifePMTrio, with Michel Donato (bass), Marty Morell (drums)1989Friday the 14thUnityTrio, with Kieran Overs (bass), Barry Elmes (drums)1991Re: ActionUnitySeptet1991HomelandTimelessQuartet, with Gary Bartz (alto sax, soprano sax), Harvie Swartz (bass), Akira Tana (drums)1993Wheel Within a WheelTimelessQuartet, with Bobby Watson (alto sax, soprano sax), Ray Drummond (bass), Marvin "Smitty" Smith (drums)1996RhapsodyTimelessTrio, with Jim Vivian (bass), Bob Moses (drums)1995New HorizonsTimelessQuintet, with Kirk McDonald (sax), Eddie Henderson (trumpet), Neil Swainson (bass), Jerry Fuller (drums)2022Don't Look BackCellar LiveQuintet with Bob Mover (alto sax), Sam Noto (trumpet), Neil Swainson (bass), Barry Elmes (drums)2023Moment To MomentCellar LiveQuartet with Eric Alexander (sax), Kieran Overs (bass on 1,3,4,6,7 & 8), Joe Farnsworth (drums on 1,3,4,6,7 & 8), Dave Young (bass on 2 & 5), Morgan Childs (drums on 2 & 5)
Main source:"Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
References