EDWARD ISAAC (ED) BICKERT (guitarist) was born November 29, 1932 in Hochfield, Manitoba, Canada, and raised in the farming and fruit-growing community around Vernon, British Columbia.  The guitar legend likely appeared in more “Sound of Toronto Jazz” Concerts than any other musician throughout the first three decades of the Series’ existence.  Whether as a sideman or leading one of his own all-star ensembles, his inspired and sensitive performances raised every group he worked with to new standards of excellence.  

Universally regarded as a guitar genius, Bickert was largely self-taught, developing an interest in jazz harmony by studying Stan Kenton recordings.  In his early teens he gained experience playing onstage with his mother at the piano and his fiddle-playing father. He moved to Toronto in 1952, and it was only there he took some formal music training, becoming a regular club performer by1955 and remaining at the vanguard of the Canadian and international jazz scenes for the remainder of his performing career.

He made his first studio recording on Moe Koffman’s unlikely hit single Swinging Shepherd Blues, and quickly became a regular member of the Moe Koffman Quintet, occupying the group’s guitar chair throughout its time-honored  lifetime.  He was also a charter member and featured soloist with Rob McConnell and The Boss Brass, and a key player with Phil Nimmons’ bands for decades.  In 1974, the renowned Paul Desmond sought out Bickert to form a quartet which marked the launch of what would become a consequential international recording career.

Ed Bickert injured both of his arms in an accidental fall in the mid 1990s, and although after a time away from the jazz scene he recovered and resumed playing and touring for a period of time, he retired permanently from public performance early this century.

Awards:

1980 - Juno Award for Best Jazz Album to Ed Bickert and Don Thompson for Sackville 4005

Named ‘Jazz Guitarist of the Year’ innumerable times by The Jazz Report Magazine and during the National Jazz Edwards throughout his playing career.

Played on dozens of Juno- and Grammy-nominated and Award-winning recordings.

1996 - Named a Member of the Order of Canada, the highest civilian honour given in this country, granted to Canadian citizens '"for outstanding achievement and service to the country or to humanity at large".