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Liner Notes

ED BICKERT is one of Canada's leading jazz guitarists, along with Sonny Greenwich, Lenny Breau and Nelson Symonds. Bickert is the veteran of these players, whose style was shaped during the 1950s in the image of Chuck Wayne, Jimmy Raney, Tal Farlow and Jim Hall. He was a cornerstone of the Canadian scene in those days - working and recording with Moe Koffman, Ron Collier and Phil Nimmons. Resisting the call of the road and quick fame, he chose to raise a family in Toronto and make a living as a studio musician.

In the 1970s Ed began to be heard more frequently in jazz settings. This led to performances and recordings with Paul Desmond as well as a couple under his own name. He has also played with Wray Downes and Dave Young in a trio format, but it is his partnership with Don Thompson which best suits his relaxed and intimate style. Ed Bickert is a master of harmonic choice, and this blending of guitar and bass results in music of great sensitivity.

DON THOMPSON, like Ed Bickert, is a native of western Canada. His talent was first recognised by alto saxophonist John Handy who took both Don and drummer Terry Clarke on the road in the mid-1960s. Don is the bassist on Handy's landmark recording at the Monterey Jazz Festival.

Upon his return to Canada Don, like so many Canadian musicians, gravitated to Toronto where he was quickly in demand both as bassist and as pianist (he is also a proficient vibraphonist and drummer). He has been associated with such prominent Toronto musicians as Moe Koffman and the Boss Brass, but it is in his continuing association with Sonny Greenwich (with whom he is pianist) and, more recently, with Ed Bickert that his talent has blossomed. There have been tours and recordings with Jim Hall and Paul Desmond, but it is in the subtle interaction with Ed Bickert's guitar that the full measure of Don's talent is revealed.