Results for "Ed Bickert"

Ed Bickert

Born: November 29, 1932

Ed Bickert was born in Hochfeld, Manitoba on November 29th, 1932, and raised in Vernon, British Columbia. His early interest in guitar was in part influenced by his musical household (his mother and father played piano and guitar in country bands). He was self-taught, developing an interest in jazz harmony by studying and analyzing Stan Kenton records. Via radio broadcasts from the American West Coast, he heard and was influenced by Nat "King" Cole Trio guitarist Oscar Moore, Barney Kessel and Les Paul. In his early teens he gained experience by playing onstage with his parents. In 1952 Ed moved to Toronto, working as a radio station engineer and playing after-hours jazz clubs on the side

Lorne Lofsky: Steward of the Canadian Guitar Tradition

by John Chacona
April 17, 2024

Guitarist Lorne Lofsky rocketed to fame when It Could Happen To You (Pablo Records, 1981), his debut release as a leader, was produced by fellow Canadian Oscar Peterson. Lofsky has since toured and recorded with a wide range of musicians from all around the world, including Peterson, but his hometown of jny: Toronto has been his ...

Don Thompson / Rob Piltch: Bells... Now and Then

by Dave Linn
January 23, 2024

Don Thompson and Rob Piltch have taken different paths in their musical careers. Thompson was a triple threat (piano, bass, vibraphone) on the Toronto studio and club scene during the late 1960s, later becoming the bassist in Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass. He began touring with Jim Hall in 1974, later appearing on the guitarist's ...

Old Friends / New Music

Label: Cornerstone Records Inc.
Released: 2023
Track listing: Ray's Idea; There's Been Too Many Changes; Pannonica; Greenhouse; Friends Again; All The Best; Simple Samba; Countless Blues.

Don Thompson & Rob Piltch: Bells... Now and Then

by Pierre Giroux
December 30, 2023

Multi-instrumentalist Don Thompson and guitarist Rob Piltch are two Canadian musicians who, in 1981 and 1982, recorded an album entitled Bells for the Umbrella label. The material has been remastered and reissued as Bells...Now and Then, bookended by two new recordings of compositions by Thompson. Don Thompson has been a highly-regarded part ...

The Rob McConnell Sextet: Old Friends / New Music

by Pierre Giroux
July 2, 2023

Rob McConnell was a valve trombonist, arranger, composer and leader of the big band called the Boss Brass, which set a new standard for jazz writing through the use of complex passages and close section harmony, and in 1983 won a Grammy. In this digital-only release by Cornerstone Records, McConnell leads a sextet comprised of Guido ...

2022: The Year in Jazz

by Ken Franckling
December 29, 2022

Current events impacted the jazz world in significant ways throughout 2022. In its third year, the coronavirus pandemic continued to lurk in some settings, while others recovered in robust fashion. Russia's war on Ukraine was felt by musicians and triggered an outpouring of support for its victims. Initiatives to ensure greater equity in jazz advanced. The ...

Matthew Stevens: on collaboration, production, gear and career

by Leo Sidran
May 23, 2022

Lorne Lofsky: This Song Is New

by Jack Bowers
April 8, 2021

Over the years the guitar has earned a unique position in the annals of jazz. At times strident, ear-splitting and generally distasteful, at others one of the loveliest, most amiable and pleasing instruments in any circumstance, especially when placed in the capable hands of a master such as Canada's Lorne Lofsky. This is the guitar as ...

Paul Desmond: The Complete 1975 Toronto Recordings

by C. Andrew Hovan
January 4, 2021

Even if he had never played another note following the break-up of the Dave Brubeck group in 1967, alto saxophonist Paul Desmond would have entered the history books as one of music's most brilliant improvisers. During his 17 years with Brubeck, Desmond proved himself to be an indispensable part of that quartet with a wistful and ...