Ed Ed Bickert

Ed Bickert - Ed Bickert (1975) {Japan SHM-CD Mini LP MZCS-1273 rel 2013}
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© 1975, 2013 P.M. Records / Muzak / Ratspack Records Japan | MZCS-1273
Jazz / Cool / Neo Post Bebop / Guitar

Features the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (compatible with standard CD players). Packaged in cardboard sleeve. A sweet little set from Candian guitarist Ed Bickert – a record that's filled with amazing tones and colors, and which sparkles brightly from the very first note! The date's a trio outing – with Don Thompson on bass and Terry Clarke on drums – but Bickert's playing gives the whole thing a quality that's very different than any sort of traditional jazz guitar set like this – thanks to a style that shows a knowledge of 70s innovators like Pat Martino and John Abercrombie, but a sense of soul that keeps the whole thing nice and solid – in a very classic way. The set's got an airy feel, but is deeply grounded too – and at times, Bickert almost seems to echo the unique phrasing of his Canadian contemporary Sonny Greenwich.

Paul Desmond - Pure Desmond (1974) {CTI Masterworks Jazz 88697 80378 2 rel 2011}
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© 1974, 2011 CTI / Sony Music / Masterworks Jazz | 88697 80378 2
Jazz / Cool / Mainstream Jazz / Saxophone

With the Skylark "experiment" behind him, Paul Desmond reverted back to the relaxed quartet format that suited him well in the past. The reason? Through Jim Hall, he found a little-known, splendid guitarist in Toronto named Ed Bickert who became his new gigmate in 1974, and this album was meant to show his discovery off. In fact, it sparked a Desmond renaissance where he regained a good deal of the witty spark and erudite cool of his collaborations with Hall, no matter how unfashionable it was to play this way in 1974.

Rob McConnell & the Boss Brass add plenty of spice to this Christmas jazz CD, not only with superb, fresh charts but a few surprising selections. The rich brass and reeds carry the deliberate rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," which segues into a perky Latin-flavored chart of "I'll Be Home for Christmas." "Away in a Manger" is not the commonly heard melody but one first written in 1887, though the music will likely be familiar, even if one doesn't associate it with the well-known lyrics. The lush setting of "The Christmas Song," which likely set Mel Tormé and Bob Wells for life with royalty checks due to its many recordings, showcases the leader's valve trombone and pianist David Restivo. "My Favorite Things," originally written for The Sound of Music, has gradually been transformed into double duty as a Christmas carol; this swinging interpretation works very well. Johnny Mandel, the composer of many memorable melodies, deserves greater recognition for his gorgeous piece "A Christmas Love Song"; this arrangement deserved to help put it on the jazz map. Rob McConnell & the Boss Brass consistently delivered first-rate music throughout their existence, this holiday CD no exception.

For this set, trumpeter Humphrey Lyttelton performs eight of his obscure but rewarding originals with Jim Galloway (doubling on soprano and baritone), guitarist Ed Bickert, bassist Neil Swainson and drummer Terry Clarke. The music is mostly influenced by Duke Ellington and is in the mainstream (rather than New Orleans jazz) idiom…

The Moe Koffman Quartet - The "Shepherd" Swings Again (1958) {2017 Japan SHM-CD Jazz Masters Collection 1200 Series WPCR-29209}
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© 1958, 2017 Jubilee / Parlophone / Warner Music Japan | WPCR-29209
Jazz / Bop / Flute

Reissue with SHM-CD format and new 24bit remastering. Canadian flutist Moe Koffman was delighted to have a hit on his hands after the success of his "The Swingin' Shepherd Blues," so this Jubilee LP became his immediate follow-up album. Joined by guitarist Ed Bickert, bassist Hugh Currie and drummer Ron Rully, Koffman wrote five new originals for this record, including the light and breezy "Flute Salad" and the hip swinger "Marty's Morgue." He also adds an easygoing take of Sonny Rollins' "Doxy," and a hard bop (with traces of funk in its introduction) arrangement of the standard "Alone Together." Koffman switches to alto sax for his intricate "Bermuda Schwartz" (which features a fine solo by Bickert and a few drum breaks), as well as on Rully's exotic composition "What Can You Do." Long out of print, consider this LP to be extremely rare.

Frank Rosolino - Thinking About You (1976) {2CD Sackville SK2CD-5007 rel 2001}
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© 1976, 2001 Sackville Recordings | SK2CD-5007
Jazz / Bop / Cool / Trombone

Frank Rosolino, one of the most fluent of the bop trombonists to emerge during the 1950s, is heard really stretching out on this live double-CD, recorded two years before his death. Originally, this was a four-song LP, but in this reissue, the set has been expanded to a 12-song double-CD. Rosolino is joined by Canada's best (guitarist Ed Bickert, bassist Don Thompson, and drummer Terry Clarke) for a variety of veteran jazz standards including "Sweet and Lovely," "I Thought About You," "I Should Care," and Charlie Parker's "Bluebird." Although the tempos are mostly slower, the music has its fiery moments and Rosolino is heard throughout in excellent form.

For a time in 1988, Moe Koffman (tripling on flute, alto and soprano) teamed up regularly with trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie. On this CD, Koffman and his regular group (guitarist Ed Bickert, keyboardist Bernie Senensky, bassist Kieran Overs, and drummer Barry Elmes) perform three of Dizzy's tunes, originals by Koffman and Senensky, and "Lush Life" with Gillespie. Diz's trumpet playing was clearly past its prime by 1988, but his scat singing on "Oop-Pop-A-Da" is quite virtuosic and outstanding, easily the high point of this little-known set.