Duos Bernie Senensky

• 1 The Mover 04:15
• 2 I Hear A Rhapsody 05:34
• 3 I Thought About You 04:39
• 4 Bud Lines 04:12
• 5 In My Life 05:19
• 6 Lolito 05:25
• 7 My One & Only Love 05:40
• 8 One Is Enough 04:13
• 9 Come To Me 04:45
• 10 Silver Trane 05:20
• Total Runtime 49:22

Info for Duos

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on New Year’s Eve in 1944, Bernie Senensky has stood as a central figure in Canadian jazz for more than half a century. His musical journey began with classical piano studies at a young age, grounding him in a discipline and technique that would later underpin his jazz mastery. As a teenager, Bernie’s curiosity and passion for jazz began to take hold, initially nurtured by local teacher Bob Erlendson. From there, he largely taught himself the intricate language of jazz, developing a deeply personal approach that balanced sophistication, swing, and emotional clarity.

In 1968, Bernie relocated to Toronto, a move that would prove decisive in shaping his career. His reputation quickly grew, and he became one of the city’s most in-demand accompanists for internationally renowned jazz artists passing through town. Over the years, he performed alongside legends such as Chet Baker, Art Blakey, and Art Pepper, absorbing and contributing to the highest levels of the music. His artistry also led to memorable piano duets with icons like Oscar Peterson and Marian McPartland. Across more than five decades, Bernie has not only earned recognition as one of Canada’s premier jazz pianists but has also brought his music to audiences around the world through extensive touring and a rich body of recorded work.

On a personal level, Bernie has long been one of my favorite pianists—an artist whose playing I deeply love and admire. His touch, harmonic imagination, and unwavering sense of swing have been a constant source of inspiration. Motivated by a desire to shine a light on both his exceptional musicianship and his often underappreciated talents as a composer, I set out to create a project that would truly capture the breadth and depth of his artistry.

The central concept behind this recording was to place Bernie in dialogue with a select group of outstanding saxophonists from across North America. By pairing him one-on-one with each musician, the project aimed to create an intimate setting that encouraged spontaneity, deep listening, and genuine musical conversation. This approach allowed the unique chemistry between Bernie and each saxophonist to emerge naturally, highlighting the subtle nuances of interaction that define the very best jazz performances.

Bernie’s long-standing reputation and deep relationships within the jazz community ensured an enthusiastic response from every musician invited to participate. The resulting lineup reads like a who’s who of contemporary jazz saxophone masters, including PJ Perry, Eric Alexander, Cory Weeds, Campbell Ryga, Vincent Herring, Pat LaBarbera, Ryan Oliver, and Kirk MacDonald. Together, they helped create a recording that celebrates not only Bernie Senensky’s enduring legacy but also the living, breathing spirit of jazz at its highest level. (John Bennett)

Bernie Senensky, piano
Cory Weeds, tenor saxophone
PJ Perry, alto saxophone
Campbell Ryga, alto saxophone
Vincent Herring, alto saxophone
Eric Alexander, tenor saxophone
Ryan Oliver, tenor saxophone
Kirk MacDonald, tenor saxophone
Pat Labarbera, tenor saxophone

Recorded at Will and Norah’s House
Engineered by Sheldon Zaharko
Mixed and Mastered by Sheldon Zaharko
Produced by Cory Weeds & John Bennett
Executive Producer: John Bennett

Bernie Senensky
was born December 31, 1944 in Winnipeg, Manitoba and has been a resident of Toronto since 1968. Recognized as one of Canada’s premier jazz artists, Senensky’s playing and his music have been featured in jazz festivals internationally. Since 1975, he has released a number of albums, two of which were nominated for Juno Awards.

Senensky began playing piano at the age of eight, settling into his interest in jazz when he was 14, studying with Winnipeg jazz eminence Bob Erlendson. He began sitting in with local Winnipeg groups which included guitarist Lenny Breau and bassist Dave Young, eventually taking his considerable talent to Edmonton. His work leading a house band with the Holiday Inn Hotel chain eventually took him to Toronto where he took up residence in 1968, quickly establishing himself as an accompanist playing for and with a wide variety of visiting musicians including Pepper Adams, Chet Baker, Ed Bickert, Terence Blanchard, Ruby Braff, Randy Brecker, Al Cohn, George Coleman, Buddy DeFranco, Herb Ellis, Art Farmer, Sonny Greenwich, Slide Hampton, Herbie Mann, Frank Morgan, Joe Pass, Art Pepper, Bucky Pizzarelli, Dizzy Reese, Red Rodney, Jack Sheldon, Zoot Sims, Sonny Stitt, Lew Tabackin, Clark Terry, Kenny Wheeler, Joe Williams, and Phil Woods.

He has recorded with many important jazz artists, played in piano duets with Oscar Peterson and Marian McPartland, and performed with major name bands and ensembles including Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, Rob McConnell’s Boss Brass, the Maynard Ferguson Orchestra, the Elvin Jones Quartet, and the Herbie Mann/Al Grey All-Star Septet.

He formed his own trio in the early ‘70s, and began occupying the piano chair in The Moe Koffman Quintet in 1979 when the band was the number one small jazz combo in Canada. He had played with Moe on occasion prior to that and “was always impressed with his utter musicality and his complete mastery of the flute, alto, and soprano saxophones”. As part of The Moe Koffman Quintet, Senensky ultimately had the opportunity to contribute many of his own compositions to the band’s repertoire for more than twenty years, and continues to keep the memory and the music of Moe Koffman alive today as leader of his Tribute to Moe Koffman Band.

As a leader, Senensky has released a number of albums. His debut album, New Life, was released in 1976. Senesky recorded The Chalet Session with bassist Kieran Overs and drummer Barry Elmes in 1989. His septet recording Re-Action, was released in 1991. Homeland was released in 1994 and featured American musicians Gary Bartz, bass; Harvie Schwartz, bass, and Arkia Tana, drums. His 1996 album, recorded at the Top 'O the Senator in Toronto in 1993, features bassist Jim Vivian, and drummer Bob Moses. In 1999, he released New Horizons, which features trumpeter Eddie henderson and saxophonist Kirk MacDonald.His 2011album Invitation, featured bassist Gene Perla and drummer Ben Riley.

Also adept on the Hammond B3 Organ, Senesky joined forces with saxophonist Ryan Oliver, guitarist Nathan Hiltz, and drummer Morgan Childs to form Organic. The group has played a weekly Sunday night gig at Joe Mama's for a number of years and the group released Live at Joe Mama's in 2013.

This album contains no booklet.