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Jerry Senfluk
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
trumpet and vocals1901 - 1971
Benny Goodman
clarinet1909 - 1986
Sidney Bechet
saxophone, soprano1897 - 1959
Jack Teagarden
trombone1905 - 1964
Coleman Hawkins
saxophone, tenor1904 - 1969
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
clarinet
1929 - 2014
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
b.1900
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
b.1923
Kenny Ball
b.1930
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
guitar
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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
b.1915
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 Polydor, 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.
2009-2012: 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, Denmark and Germany.
Awards
Arts Council of England grant, 1997
Gear
Selmer, Series 9
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Take Five With Jerry Senfluk
by AAJ Staff
Meet Jerry Senfluk: 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 ...
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Music
Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson
Swing Express
Self Produced
1998
Videos
Jerry Senfluk
Instrument: Clarinet
Born: March 17, 1946
Publicist: Zarmedia
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