Home » Member Page
Jerry Senfluk
Jerry Senfluk was born, grew up, became (stupidly enough) a freelancing jazz musician, and hasn't died quite yet.
About Me
Born in Prague, Czechoslovakia (NOT the Czech Republic), on St.
Patrick's Day, 1946. As the younger son of a pianist mother and a
cellist father. he enjoyed thorough musical education from his
distinguished parents in playing the piano, intonation and musical
theory. He received private tuition from the Principal Clarinetist of
the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and, in 1967, graduated from the
Conservatoire of Prague. With a father who frequently toured the world
and brought home many a record, he was influenced by Louis Armstrong,
Benny Goodman, Fletcher Henderson, Sidney Bechet, Omer Simeon, Duke
Ellington, Jack Teagarden, Coleman Hawkins, and many others.
An initial live jazz influence was clarinetist Edmund Hall who toured
Czechoslovakia in 1958.
Professional Experience 1962: First public appearance on clarinet at a
jam session during the International Jazz Festival in Prague, playing
alongside Acker Bilk and his Paramount Jazz Band.
1963-1968: Performed with the Cats Jazz Band and with the Jazz
Fiddlers. After graduation from the Conservatoire, worked for the
Czechoslovakian Radio on a series of jazz programs and became
Assistant Editor of Melodie, Prague's jazz and popular music monthly
magazine.
1969: Joined the orchestra of the State Theatre in Aussig (Northern
Bohemia) in March and appeared at the International Jazz Festival in
San Sebastian in July. Moved to (then) West Berlin and toured Germany
with a band supporting Albert Nicholas.
1970-1973: Continued to work in Germany until late 1971 and, due to a
complicated ankle fracture, rested during much of 1972. Became
clarinet teacher in November 1972 at the Steglitz School of Music in
Berlin. Married Georgina, a ballet dancer and pedagogue, in June 1973.
1974: Tour of West Germany and Switzerland with a Zurich- based
Dixieland band. Guesting with many traditionalists in London, notably
with Fred Hunt of the Alex Welsh Band and with Ron Wheatherburn of
Kenny Ball fame. Established the Coppelia Ballet School in Berlin,
running the business side whilst Georgina provided the tuition.
1975-1977: Frequent bookings in West Germany. Worked with a band
accompanying Freddie Kohlman, and with the Savoy Gang, a swing
quartet.
1978: In demand on the London Jazz scene, playing with many U.K. names
and resident at Soho's Zanzibar Club with Satn Greig and Johnny
Parker. Later worked with the Haens'che Weiss Quintet, a Berlin-based
manouche formation mixing Django Reinhardt's tradition with influences
from eastern European Gypsy folklore and Brazilian music.
1979-1984: Founded the Hallmark Swingtet in Berlin. Promotional and
corporate performances for a wide range of companies, institutes and
municipal bodies. Work in radio and television. Played with the Berlin
All Stars.
1985-1990: Back in London, playing West End and South Bank venues and
composing. Residencies at the Misty Club, Playa del Ingles, Gran
Canaria, at Le Dinghy Club, Saint Barthelemy, French West Indies, and
at the Casa Bar, Zurich, Switzerland. Wrote the musical arrangements
for Eggy Ley's “Prohibition and All That Jazz” show. Worked with ex-
Fats Waller guitarist Al Casey. Jazz Festival appearances in Cork,
Edinburgh and The Hague. Toured Belgium, Denmark, Germany, the
Netherlands and the United Kingdom with Max Collie Rhythm Aces. With
pianist Mick Pyne, guitarist Nils Solberg, double-bassist John Rees-
Jones and drummer Rex Bennett, formed his Capital Swing and introduced
regular live jazz into Chelsea Harbour. Played last stints with Bob
Wallis at the Casa Bar in Zurich.
1992-1998: With Yves “Little Fats” Guyot and Eric Luter, residencies
at the Hotel Ermitage Golf near Gstaad, Switzerland. With his Capital
Swing, appearances, recordings and tours in the United Kingdom, Spain,
Switzerland, France and Germany. Appearances with Adelaide Hall, Acker
Bilk, Kenny Ball and Larry Adler. Tours and festival appearances in
Bohemia, Sweden and Slovakia with the Prague Jazzphonics. Recordings
with formations of Allan Bradley and of George Polydor.
1999-2002: Relocation back to Berlin and semi-retirement from music.
2003-2008: After yet another relocation, this time to the picturesque
rural settings of Upper Franconia (northern Bavaria), touring Austria,
Bohemia, Denmark, France, Germany, Mauretania, Senegal, Slovakia,
Switzerland and the United Kingdom with various ensembles of Alexander
Katz, Andy Lawrence, George Pokydor, Herbert Christ, Keith Smith, Max
Collie and--above all--Vano Bamberger. Also branching out to classical
music and into Russian salon music of the 19th century with pianist
Alla Schatz and baritone vocalist Oleg Dynov.
2009-2010: Despite the commitment to Vano Bamberger's manouche
ensemble, intensified efforts to bring the Capital Swing back onto the
map, resulting in festival appearances in Andalucia and Denmark.