Biography

A Genge started as a jazz organist performing for a number of years in Vancouver, before studying classical composition in the late 1970s. He completing a Ph.D. in composition with the composer Morton Feldman in 1984.

From 1989 until 2005 Genge taught jazz piano in the Dept. of Music at St. Francis Xavier University. During that time he also performed extensively with many leading jazz artists, at the same time maintaining an active career as a classical composer.

As a jazz pianist, his cool and swinging style references the great jazz piano tradition of pianists such Ahmad Jamal, Red Garland, Wynton Kelly, Horace Silver and Les McCann.

As a jazz organist, Genge presents his bluesy, soul-jazz influenced style on the Hammond B3 organ in concerts and clubs. His roots are in the stylings of the great jazz organists such as Jimmy Smith, Don Patterson, Jack McDuff and Richard ‘Groove’ Holmes, combined with a variety of modern jazz influences.

Over the years Genge has performed with many leading international jazz artists, including Eddie ‘Lockjaw’ Davis, Paul Horn, John Abercrombie, Randy Brecker, Jerry Bergonzi, Jeff Hamilton, Roberta Gamberini, Adam Nussbaum, Gene Bertoncini, Joey Baron, Randy Brecker, Peter Erskin, Larry Grenadier, Lew Soloff, P.J. Perry and many others.

Genge’s work can be heard on many recordings, including his critically acclaimed piano trio CD ‘Blues Walk’, and as a organist on the recording ‘Bicostal Collective Chapter Four’.

As a classical composer, Genge’s solo, chamber, and orchestral music has been performed and commissioned by leading soloists and ensembles throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and Japan. His music has been characterized by its distinctive harmonic language, elegant orchestration and postmodern mix of musical elements. It is available on many recordings and has also been used for dance and film. 

He currently lives in Victoria, Canada, where he maintains a very busy performance schedule as a much sought after jazz organist and pianist.