Serge Ermoll (Junior)
Serge is the son of Sergei Ermolaeff, a Manchurian born, Russian jazz orchestra leader. In China, Sergai worked as a drummer/musician, building a reputation as one of Shanghai's more notable orchestra leaders during the 1930's and 1940's. While experiencing the onset of the communist revolution in China, Sergei and his wife Xenia (singer/dancer) and son Serge Jr, won passage on the Chan Sha ship migrating to Australia in 1951.

For nearly forty years, jazz pianist Serge Ermoll has been renowned for his exceptional skills, constantly pushing boundaries, while defying the marketplaces demands to conform. His group, Free Kata, formed in the 1970s, "...ripped open the heart of music aesthetics in Australia." (John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald, August 2003).

Ermoll has played with some of the greats of the international jazz scene. During the recording of more than twenty-nine internationally released albums and playing on the live circuit across the globe, he has created moments with some of the greatest names in modern jazz.

Visiting the UK in the late sixties, he was invited to fill in for Dudley Moore, when he was invited to Hollywood. A revered musician before finding fame in the latter, Moore never returned to the UK as a regular player. Serge went on to become an integral member of what was the Dudley Moore Trio, with Chris Karen on drums, originally from Melbourne, and Pete Morgan on bass (British) who was also a great vocalist. Serge was playing consistently for the next seven years in the territory as a result. Serge was a regular at the prestigous Ronnie Scotts, to sight one example, during that period.

Other artists of significance Serge has collaborated with include Richie Cole, Lester Bowie, Don Moyee, Phil Woods, Art Pepper, Joe Henderson, Eddie Moore, Herb Ellis, Ray Brown, Sonny Stitt, Jimmy Whitherspoon, Ernestine Anderson, Dizzie Gillespie, Roscoe Mitchell, David Leibman, Odeon Pope, The Art Ensemble Of Chicago, John Scofield, George Cables, Branford Marsalis, Ralph Pena (bass from Clare Fisher's Band), John Lee (bass from McCoy Tyner's Band), and many more.

Boasting a 5th Dan black belt in karate, and formerly having a day job as a private detective, Ermoll has always been a character, within and beyond his music.

To read more visit the following links.
An interview with JR
Discography Highlights

Bob Sender
Bob began playing violin at the age of 2 & 1/2, studying at that time with his father, who was a member of the Philadelphia Orchestra

Bob played as the featured soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra at the age of twelve, and later played as Concert Master of the Congress Of Strings at the age of sixteen. Bob was the youngest Concert Master in their history (sponsored by The American Federation Of Musicians & The Rockefeller Foundation)

At the age of 16-19 he attended Curtis Institute of Music, Julliard school of Music, and Eastman School of Music— all under scholarships.

Some of Bob's teachers include: Jascha Heifitz, Charles Castleman, Ray Ricker, Ivan Galamian, Joe Silverstein, Arnold Steinhardt, Bill Dobbins, and Bill Evans.

At the ages of 18-20 Bob recorded with Quincy Jones as member and part-time leader of Sal Soul Orchestra at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia. He recorded string tracks for Chaka Khan, Earth Wind and Fire, Teddy Pendergrass, George Benson, Gamble and Huff Productions, etc. and under the label MSFB (Mothers, Sisters, Fathers and Brothers)

At this time he also played professional engagements with Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Englebert Humperdink, Tom Jones, Sergio Franchi, and Johnny Mathis etc.

In 1978, at the age of 20, Bob came to Australia to play as a permanent member of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. The ABC auditioned him in New York, in order to improve the standard of the Australian orchestra. He was the youngest violinist ever accepted to be a permanent member under contract with the orchestra. Bob played with them for almost three years. He also performed as a soloist with them on occasion.

From the years after the symphony, he enjoyed performing in bands, supporting various artists in Australia such as: Toots and the Maytells, Peter Tosh, The Wailers, Ricky Lee Jones, Robert Plant, The Mentals, Redgum etc.

During the same time, he recorded for Alberts Studios (Bruce Brown & Russell Dunlap) for many artists including Jon English, John Swan, Kim Hart, John Paul Young, to name a few. Bob played strings on the hits Love At First Nite by Kim Hart and Carmilla by Jon English.