Ed Bickert: A Master of Jazz Guitar
Early Life
Ed Bickert, born on November 29, 1932, in Hochfeld, Manitoba, and raised in Vernon, British Columbia. His parents were semi-professional musicians, his father playing the fiddle and his mother the piano. As a child, Bickert’s family operated a chicken farm and had a small country dance band. He started playing a guitar owned by his older brother when he was ten years old, and he was soon performing at country dances with his parents.
Style and Contributions
Bickert was one of the early adopters of the solid body electric guitar in jazz, which he has played regularly since the mid-1950s. Bickert developed a unique, understated style of considerable harmonic sophistication. Rooted in bebop, his intuitive, pianistic approach was characterized by lyrical and rhythmic ease, a deceptively complex simplicity, and a generally muted tone. He is known for his velvety tone and sophisticated chord voicings on his old Telecaster guitar played through a Standel or Polytone amp.
Collaborations and Projects
Bickert worked professionally from the mid-1950s to 2000, mainly in the Toronto area. His international reputation grew steadily from the mid-1970s onward as he recorded albums both as a bandleader and as a backing musician for Paul Desmond, Rosemary Clooney, and other artists, with whom he toured in North America, Europe, and Japan. In 1955, when saxophonist Jimmy Amaro Sr. offered Bickert a place in his band, Bickert felt confident enough to quit his radio job and try making music his career. By 1957, Bickert had joined two local jazz groups, one led by saxophonist Moe Koffman, the other by clarinetist Phil Nimmons. Bickert played on Koffman’s North American hit record “Swinging Shepherd Blues”, which made it to number 23 on Billboard’s Top 40 chart during the spring of 1958.
Association with Other Artists
Bickert had a long history of playing in Rob McConnell’s big band The Boss Brass. He also played in local gigs with American musicians who employed Toronto rhythm sections. He played regularly at George’s Spaghetti House with fellow members of Moe Koffman’s band, with and without Koffman.
Later Career and Legacy
With Nimmons, he began appearing regularly on CBC radio broadcasts and on records released internationally by Verve Records and RCA. During this period, Bickert also joined the rhythm section of the Howard Cable Orchestra, which was featured on the “Showtime” program on CBC TV. Bickert achieved international prominence through his work in the mid-1970s with American saxophonist Paul Desmond. He signed with the Concord Jazz label in 1983 and recorded numerous albums, including several as a sideman for such artists as Rosemary Clooney and Benny Carter. He continued to play and tour until his retirement in the early 2000s, after the death of his wife, Madeline. He left behind his legacy of more than a dozen album recordings where he played the front man and at least 50 others where he played side man to musicians such as Phil Nimmons and Moe Koffman.
- Trio Sketches– Ed Bickert (guitar), Rob McConnell (trombone), Neil Swainson (bass). This album features a wonderful rendition of “Snow White” and an enchanting performance of “I Have Dreamed”.
- Rosemary Clooney’s Sings Ballads– Rosemary Clooney (vocals), Ed Bickert (guitar), and others. This album includes beautiful duets between Ed’s guitar and Rosemary’s voice in songs like “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square” and “Spring is Here”.
- This Is New– Ed Bickert and Lorne Lofsky (guitars), Jerry Fuller (drums), Neil Swainson (bass). The album begins with a fiery rendition of the title track and includes a beautiful waltz “Elsa”.
- At the Garden Party– Ed Bickert with Don Thompson. This album is a great starting point to get into Ed Bickert’s music.
- Mutual Street– Ed Bickert with Rob McConnell. This album showcases the synergy between Bickert and McConnell.
- Paul Desmond Quartet Live– Paul Desmond (saxophone), Ed Bickert (guitar), and others. This album won a Grammy award and significantly boosted Ed’s reputation.
- Bye Bye Baby– Ed Bickert. This album is another testament to Bickert’s musical prowess.
- This is New– Ed Bickert and Lorne Lofsky (guitars), Jerry Fuller (drums), Neil Swainson (bass). This album features a fiery rendition of the title track and a beautiful waltz “Elsa”.
- Pure Desmond– Paul Desmond (saxophone), Ed Bickert (guitar), and others. This album won a Grammy award and significantly boosted Ed’s reputation.
- The Guitar Mastery of Ed Bickert– Ed Bickert. This album showcases Bickert’s virtuosity on the guitar.
- Third Floor Richard– Ed Bickert. This album features some of Bickert’s most memorable compositions.
