Ed Bickert - Ed Bickert

A superb mid-1970s trio session from Canadian jazz guitarist Ed Bickert, one of the most admired guitarists to emerge from Toronto's celebrated jazz scene. This self-titled album places Bickert in an intimate setting with two equally accomplished Canadian musicians: Don Thompson on bass and Terry Clarke on drums.

Recorded live at George's in Toronto in June 1975, the album gives the trio room to stretch out on a carefully chosen program of standards. Highlights include the nearly ten-minute “Come Rain or Come Shine,” “Where Are You,” “When Sonny Gets Blue,” “It Might As Well Be Spring,” “Nancy (With the Laughing Face),” and “Manha de Carnaval.” The sparse guitar-bass-drums format puts the focus squarely on Bickert's sophisticated chord voicings, melodic improvisation and understated swing.

Bickert went on to become internationally respected for his work with artists including Paul Desmond, Oscar Peterson and Rosemary Clooney, making this early recording an especially interesting document of his career. The album was engineered by Don Thompson and features extensive liner notes by jazz writer Gene Lees.