Barsukov, Sergey Nikolayevich (Barsukoff, Sergei) (Selby, Serge) 23.dec.1898-1984 Russia, St Petersburg - ?France
pianist, son of a general in the czar's army, studied at Kiev Conservatory, 1918 at the Bolshevist uprising he became lieutenant of Cavalry in the White Army, after 2 years he was rescued from Odessa and taken to Constantinople by the American Red Cross, 1921 studied piano with Ferrucio Busoni in Berlin and earned a degree in medicine, 1923 having lost his parents and fortune in the Russian war he emigrated to the USA where he started as a bottle washer for a milk company in New York, he was engaged to accompany Nina Koshets in songs by and in the presence of Rachmaninoff, recognition was instantaneous, 1926-1927 teacher piano at Washington State College in Pullman Washington, 1927-1929 teacher piano at the College of Music in Cincinnati Ohio, 1929 settled in East Hampton Long Island, 1930 as pianist and piano teacher residing at 4409 Melbourne Avenue Los Angeles with studio at 1534 Winona Boulevard in Hollywood, 1930 member of the National Music League of New York, 21.aug.1930 in Riverhead Long Island he became naturalized American, 26.may.1932 and 10.aug.1933 he returned from a tour in Europe to his home at Maine Street in East Hampton, 3.oct.1934 he returned from a tour in Europe to his home Hotel Great Northern in New York (11.mar.1934 he had played at the Vienna Konzerthaus), 24.oct.1935 he returned with his wife Mary Reis Barsukoff from a tour in Europe to their home Park Central Hotel in New York, 4.apr.1936 after a tour of the european capitals he gave a recital at Town Hall New York, 1938-1946 as concert pianist Serge Selby residing with his wife Mary Selby at 2670 Green Street in San Francisco, 11.jun.1942 he bought Miccio Cottage on Talmage Lane in East Hampton, 1943-1945 residing at 2020 Prairie Avenue in Miami where he formed a piano duo with Despy Karlas, 1947 he moved to Cannes France ; 10.dec.1934 aged 36 in Yuma Arizona he married the 65 year old wealthy widow Mary Reis Selby (San Francisco 18.mar.1869-3.jul.1946 San Francisco) whose name he adopted for many years