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Bernie Senensky: Jazz Pianist / Organist, Composer, Teacher

By DAVID EISENSTADT Fifty-plus years active, and jazz icon Bernie Senensky is still working hard and going strong.
That doesn’t begin to describe this notable Canadian Jewish musician’s incredible career.
The Winnipeg, Manitoba native was born to Reuben and Shauna (née Pascov) Senensky on December 31, 1944.
His Canadian-born parents ensured he took piano lessons. Classical with Clara Perlman at age eight, and at 14, he studied with jazz pianist Bob Erlendson.
Peter Hum of the Ottawa Citizen reported, “he had one jazz teacher, and thereafter was self-taught.”
Senensky said he is “essentially a bebop player, and beyond. My heroes are anyone from Bud Powell to McCoy Tyner to Keith Jarrett and Herbie Hancock.” He’s also an organist “influenced by Larry Goldings, Mike LeDonne and Larry Young,” wrote Hum.
In Winnipeg, he played with local musicians including guitarist Lenny Breau and bassist Dave Young. For a time, he led a house band in Edmonton, Alberta, for the Holiday Inn hotel chain.

Senensky transitioned to Toronto in 1968 where he became a first-call accompanist for a who’s-who list of illustrious musicians. He toured the globe with many of them. His biography lists:
Eighteen saxophonists/clarinetists including Pepper Adams, Ravi Coltrane, Buddy DeFranco, and Zoot Sims; 30 trumpeters from Chet Baker, Guido Basso and Terence Blanchard to Dizzy Gillespie, Red Rodney and Freddie Stone; 8 trombonists – Wycliffe Gordon, Slide Hampton, Russ Little and Rob McConnell; 23 guitarists – Ed Bickert, Herb Ellis, Lorne Lofsky,1 Rob Pilch, Bucky Pizzarelli, and Reg Schwager; 26 bassists from Eddie Gomez, Rufus Reid to Slam Stewart and Eugene Wright; 26 drummers – Archie Alleyne, Art Blakey, Jerry Fuller and Elvin Jones; 6 vibists including Peter Appleyard, Gary Burton, Paul Hoffert,2and Don Thompson; 4 flautists – Sir James Galway, Moe Koffman to Herbie Mann and Bill McBirnie; 4 violinists – Moshe Hammer, Drew Jureka, Lenny Solomon,3 and Lara St. John; 29 vocalists including Tommy Ambrose, Heather Bambrick, Salome Bey, Ori Dagan,4 Catherine McKinnon, Ginette Reno, and Bobby Vinton.
He played piano duets with Marian McPartland and Oscar Peterson and joined established groups like The Maynard Ferguson Orchestra, The Moe Koffman Quintet, The Herbie Mann/Al Grey All-Star Septet, and Rob McConnell & The Boss Brass.
Mark Miller, in the New Grove Dictionary of Jazz, noted, “his playing is characterized by an obvious comfort in a wide range of styles, from swing to the assertive post-bop of his group.”
Peers recognized Senensky for his true artistry. Some years ago, Oscar Peterson said, “Bernie is one of my favourite local pianists, I really can’t understand why he hasn’t become better known.” Buddy DeFranco called him “The best of the best!” The late Boris Brott said, “It is always a great privilege to have our festival [in Hamilton, Ontario] associated with artists of Senensky’s stature.” Oliver Jones added “a brilliant, world-class pianist.”
A recipient of many accolades/awards, including the Toronto Musicians’ Association Lifetime Achievement Award, he was nominated twice for Jazz Album of the Year at the Juno Awards – 1989 for Friday the 14th– 1993 for Wheel Within A Wheel.
In the ‘70s Senensky led his trio. In 1979 he was the keyboardist in Moe Koffman’s Quintet when that band was the top Canadian jazz combo. That gig lasted 20 years. The Canadian Jazz Archive reported, “As part of Koffman’s Quintet, Senensky ultimately had the opportunity to contribute many of his compositions to the band’s repertoire.” He has kept that music memory alive since 2003 leading the Moe Koffman Tribute Band.
Senensky’s debut album, “New Life,” was released in 1976; in 1989 he recorded with drummer Barry Elmes and bassist Kieran “Over The Chalet Season.” In 1991 with his septet, he released “Re-Action.” Then came “Homeland” in 1994, which featured US musicians Gary Bartz, Harvie Schwartz, and Arkia Tana. Two years later he recorded an album of his own, recorded in 1993 at the Top of The Senator Toronto venue with bassist Jim Vivian and drummer Bob Moses. In 1999, came “New Horizons,” featuring Eddie Henderson on trumpet and Kirk MacDonald on drums. In 2011 he released “Invitation” with Gene Perla on bass and drummer Ben Riley.
Senensky excels on the Hammond B3 Organ. A few years back he formed “Organic, “with drummer Morgan Childs, guitarist Nathan Hiltz and sax player Ryan Oliver for weekly Sunday evening gigs at the (now shuttered) Joe Mama’s in Toronto. That led to his album – “Live at Joe Mama’s,” in 2013.
Senensky told me he’s “been busier since COVID eased up,” releasing a new CD – “Don’t Look Back,” with “another on its way.” He’s been playing, recording, and teaching in Vancouver, BC, and had an October 2022 German tour with his organ trio, “Organic Earfood,” including vibraphonist Stefan Bauer and drummer Peter Baumgartner.
In early 2023, he fronted a tribute to Moe Koffman’s band in Toronto, that included Moe’s son, Jake Koffman, an accomplished saxophonist, clarinetist, and flautist. I was privileged to attend and enjoy that York University Department of Music concert.
1David Eisenstadt, “Community Jewish News,” April 30, 2022, cjnonline.com | cjnonline.ca.
2 David Eisenstadt, “Community Jewish News,” September 12, 2022, cjnonline.com | cjnonline.ca.
3 David Eisenstadt, “Community Jewish News,” August 7, 2022, cjnonline.com | cjnonline.ca.
4 David Eisenstadt, “Community Jewish News,” May 9, 2022, cjnonline.com | cjnonline.ca

This Chapter is excerpted from David Eisenstadt’s second book – MUSICIANS UNDER THE RADAR – 36 NOTABLE CANADIAN JEWISH PERFORMERS – available on Amazon.ca,  Amazon.com or by contacting the author, deisenstadt@tcgpr.com.

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The Types Of Gaming That Are Popular Across North America

“Gaming setup”

Gaming in North America covers almost every style imaginable. Consoles remain a huge part of the culture that changes all the time. Older gaming hobbies like board games still fill living rooms and hobby stores. 

People can always find a way to play that suits their interests and preferences. That could be online or offline.

That variety is part of what makes the region so interesting from a gaming point of view. There is no single dominant style. A lot of people prefer quick mobile games that they can play on the go. There are also superfans that sink hundreds of hours into console adventures. It isn’t all about high tech; plenty still enjoy games that have been around for generations.

The common theme is choice. North American players now have more ways to play than ever before.

Classic Casino Games Have Found New Life Online

Casino games have been popular across North America for a long time. The way they are played has changed dramatically in recent decades and brought them to new audiences.

Traditional games such as blackjack and roulette are still easy to recognize. The rules remain familiar to a lot of the population. The technology surrounding them has moved forward at a breakneck speed.

Roulette shows this change. The experience once meant gathering around a physical wheel and watching the ball bounce between the numbered pockets. That same basic format now works online in several different ways.

Digital roulette recreates the wheel through software. Live dealer versions stream a real wheel from a studio using high-definition cameras. Players can follow the action on a laptop or smartphone without losing the simple appeal that made roulette popular in the first place. People who want to play roulette varieties online even have a lot of choice for how they do so. 

Slot games have changed even more.

Modern online versions can include detailed animations and new mechanics that would be difficult to reproduce on an old mechanical machine. Newer styles such as crash games have also grown alongside more traditional casino titles.

Casino gaming has essentially become another branch of digital entertainment. People have so much choice that they may turn to ‘games of the week’ as recommendations for a new game to try out.

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Board Games Are Still Going Strong

Board games remain extremely popular across North America. There are even festivals in the area celebrating the choice in board games.

Part of their appeal is social.

A board game creates a reason for people to gather around the same table for competition. They usually debate at least one rule before the night is over!

Classic games still have huge audiences. Chess and Monopoly are instantly familiar. The modern board game scene has become much broader.

Games such as Ticket to Ride and Wingspan helped introduce more people to strategy-heavy tabletop games without making them feel impossible to learn.

Hobby gaming has also become a culture of its own.

Dedicated stores host game nights and board game cafes have turned tabletop gaming into an evening out rather than something that only happens at home.

In an age of screens, cardboard is doing surprisingly well.

Console Gaming Remains A Giant

Console gaming is still one of the biggest parts of North American entertainment.

Living-room consoles have become far more than machines for playing one game at a time. They now act as entertainment hubs for multiplayer gaming and detailed worlds.

Sports games remain popular. Action games and open-world adventure games also draw huge numbers of players.

The appeal is easy to understand.

Console gaming offers impressive graphics and deep experiences without requiring the same level of setup that can come with a gaming PC.

Controllers have evolved too. They have added better feedback and more precise inputs. Online multiplayer has become standard and easier for most players. 

PC Gaming Has Its Own Massive Audience

PC gaming occupies a slightly different space. It tends to attract players who like flexibility.

Hardware can be upgraded over time. Digital stores offer enormous libraries ranging from blockbuster releases to tiny experimental projects made by one person.

Strategy games and simulation titles have especially strong roots on PC.

MMORPGs also remain closely linked to the platform. Large communities spend years inside these imagined online worlds.

Competitive gaming has helped keep PC gaming at the center of esports too.

Genres such as tactical shooters and real-time strategy games continue to attract players who enjoy fast competition and highly skill-based play.

Social And Multiplayer Games Keep Growing

You might assume that the online world is isolating gamers. But it is actually fair to say that gaming has become much more social over the last decade in many ways.

People increasingly play with friends who may live hundreds or even thousands of miles away. Cross-platform technology has helped with being able to connect players reliably.

A group no longer always needs identical hardware to play the same title together. Console and PC communities can sometimes mix. Voice chat keeps everyone connected during a session.

The conversation happening during the game becomes just as important as the game itself.

There is no single type of gaming that defines North America. A serious mix is probably the clearest trend of all.

Gaming has stopped being tied to one device or even one kind of player. It now covers everything from a quick game on a smartphone to an all-night board game session or a huge online adventure with friends.

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New Opportunities for XRP in the Trump Era: How XRP Holders Can Earn $7,899 Daily in Passive Income Through FTMINING Cloud Mining in 2026

If you’ve always believed that XRP can only be held long-term and wait for its value to appreciate, then FTMINING cloud mining might bring a completely new way to utilize this asset. Today, there is no need to purchase expensive mining machines or master complex mining techniques. You can quickly participate in digital asset mining through cloud computing platforms, giving idle XRP more application value. FTMINING’s cloud mining service, with its convenient operation process, 24/7 computing power service and flexible product solutions, has attracted the attention of many digital asset users, providing a new option for XRP holders who want to obtain continuous mining rewards. The launched cloud computing service supports the participation of various mainstream digital assets such as XRP, helping users to access the digital asset ecosystem in a more convenient way. Users can generate a passive income of up to $7,899 per day.
From holding assets to participating in cloud mining
Traditional mining often requires a significant investment in specialized mining equipment, along with costs for electricity, site access, and maintenance. For ordinary investors, this model presents a high technical and financial barrier to entry. FTMINING adopts a cloud computing power model, which centralizes the operation of mining farms, equipment management, computing power allocation and maintenance, etc., and allows users to choose different cloud computing power products according to their own needs and complete the participation process online, reducing the complexity of operation while still being able to participate.

Features of FTMINING:
● Zero-barrier entry: No need to purchase mining rigs or build a mining farm; even beginners can easily get started.

● Automated mining: The system runs 24/7, with daily automatic settlement of profits.

● Flexible asset management: Profits can be withdrawn or reinvested at any time, supporting multiple mainstream cryptocurrencies.

● Low correlation with price fluctuations: Even during short-term market downturns, cash flow remains stable.

FTMINING: Safe, Transparent, and Trustworthy Investment
FTMINING was founded in 2021 and is headquartered in the UK. It is an innovative platform focusing on digital asset management and cloud computing services. Its operations comply with the regulatory frameworks of the UK and EU. The platform follows the principles of compliance, security and transparency, and is regularly subject to financial and security audits by third-party agencies.

At the technical level, the platform adopts multiple security mechanisms, including bank-level firewalls, cloud security certification, multi-signature cold wallets and asset isolation systems, to provide multi-layer protection for user funds.

Its security infrastructure includes:

●Platform operations comply with the European MiCA and MiFID II regulatory frameworks

● Annual financial and security audit conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)

● Digital asset custody insurance provided by Lloyd’s of London

How to participate in FTMINING

Step 1: Register an Account

Visit the official FT MINING website: https://ftmining.com

Create an account by entering your email address and password. Receive a $15 sign-up bonus and a $0.75 daily login bonus.

Step 2: Deposit Cryptocurrency Assets

The platform supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies—including BTC, ETH, LTC, USDT, USDC, XRP, SOL, DOGE, and BCH—eliminating the need for cumbersome currency conversions and making deposits and withdrawals convenient.

Step 3: Select and Purchase a Mining Contract

FT MINING offers various contracts to suit different budgets and goals. Whether you are seeking short-term gains or long-term returns, FT MINING has the right option for you:

Examples of popular contracts:

Starter Contract: $100 — 2-day term — Total profit approx. $108

Stable Contract: $1,000 — 10-day term — Total profit approx. $1,136

Professional Contract: $5,000 — 20-day term — Total profit approx. $6,500

Premium Contract: $25,000 — 30-day term — Total profit approx. $39,250

(Please visit the official website for more contract details.)

Contracts take effect immediately upon purchase, with earnings settled daily.

Real User Feedback

Michael, an XRP holder from Texas, USA:

“I’ve held XRP for years, but for the most part, it just sat there. Since using FTMINING, I’ve been generating steady monthly returns—with daily earnings consistently reaching as high as $7,899—so I no longer worry much about short-term price fluctuations.”

Thomas, an XRP investor from New York:

“The entire process is virtually hands-off, making it ideal for long-term investors. I prioritize regulatory compliance and automation; I joined FTMINING nearly a year ago, and the returns have been excellent.”


Industry Perspectives
Industry observers point out that the attention FTMINING cloud mining model has garnered reflects investors’ growing demand for “stable returns” and “automated asset management.” With the continuous improvement of compliance, security and automation technologies, the FTMINING cloud mining model provides cryptocurrency holders with a new asset management approach and makes “passive income” a realistic and feasible goal.

Conclusion
XRP holders are entering a new phase of digital asset application, moving from simply holding assets to participating in the blockchain ecosystem. FTMINING cloud mining provides users with a more convenient path to explore value. With the help of cloud computing power, users can participate in mining services without purchasing professional mining machines or undertaking complex operation and maintenance processes, allowing idle XRP to play a greater role. With the continuous development of blockchain technology, cloud mining is becoming an increasingly important focus for digital asset users, enabling XRP holders to manage their assets more flexibly and efficiently, and helping them explore new opportunities in the digital economy era.

If you wish to explore more revenue opportunities while holding XRP, the FTMINING cloud mining model is worth further understanding and attention.

Official Website: https://ftmining.com


app: https://ftmining.com


Customer Support Email: info@ftmining.com

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K-tip placement at Sets on Corydon

Precision K-Tip placement: Where art meets ultimate hair engineering. ✨
​Every strand is custom-blended to achieve seamless movement, zero detection, and absolute freedom (yes, even high ponytails on day one). Precision styling takes patience and technical mastery—the result speaks for itself.
​.

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