November 29, 1932 – February 28, 2019

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Guitarist Ed Bickert was born November 29, 1932 in Hochfeld, Manitoba, Canada.

He grew up in Vernon, British Columbia, becoming a top local musician in Toronto in the early 1950s.

A tasteful and melodic player who was also technically skilled, Bickert worked for years as a top studio musician who played jazz on the side including with Moe Koffman, the Phil Nimmons Nine and Rob McConnell.

Bickert was a member of Rob McConnell’s Boss Brass during its entire existence.

He became better known in the United States when he worked and recorded with the Paul Desmond Quartet (1974-75) after having been recommended by Jim Hall.

The guitarist also worked and recorded with Oscar Peterson (1980), Rosemary Clooney, Ken Peplowski, Ernestine Anderson, Ruby Braff and Benny Carter in addition to recording some albums of his own for the Concord and Sackville labels.

While he retired around 2000, Ed Bickert (who turned 86 in 2018) is still considered one of the finest jazz guitarists produced by Canada.

Here is Ed Bickert in the 1990s playing “Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me.”

Personnel:

Ed Bickert, guitar
Neil Swainson, bass
Buff Allen, drums

-Scott Yanow

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