To me, Ed stands as one of the finest and, unfortunately, most under-appreciated jazz guitarists of our time. Many of my fellow players simply dismissed him because of his choice of instrument. While a Tele is not high on the list of jazz guitars, he coaxes a rich tonality out of it. Far more important than the instrument was his subtle relaxed approach to the inner motion of the passing notes in the chords. In harmonic terms, he matched the master of subtlety, Jim Hall. This is a fine track!
It probably also has something to do with how little Canada pumps into the arts and how much it doesn't even bother to toot its own players, unless they espouse some nationalistic pride.
God, what a genius. I wish you were still playing, Ed- but, if you loved your wife like you love your music- I can understand why you had to let it go, after her passing. What an honorable ambassador of the Art.
When I first listened to this I was not watching the video and was trying to figure out what top-notch jazz musician was playing what top-notch jazz guitar.
Dan, Thank you so much for posting this! I am originally from NY and began studying Jazz guitar around 1970. If I had only known about Ed I would have travelled up North just to hear him play. All I can say is that it’s great that we have TH-cam and people like you who are willing to share!
One of the techniques is to have your crystal-clear amp turned up to a good level, use Chrome-Flat 11's or so and use extremely light finger and pick attacks. Of course, you have to have tuned-in decent tone settings on your "crystal-clear" amp using the tone control on your guitar for final tone-tweeking. Mr. Bickert's right hand technique is breath-holding light and quite amazing.. You can even get a reasonably decent jazz tone from an SG if you work at it The hands are the most important.
I've been listening to theses posts since they went up 5 years ago almost everyday and I just can't believe how good Ed is. People talk about who is the best. All I can say is that Ed is perfect. Others might be perfect as well but you can't be better than perfect. What about the bass player? He quotes "Santa Claus is coming to town". What a freak.
@lenThe great Lenny often played technically astounding passages that called attention to themselves for how difficult they were. That in itself doesn't make the music 'better', & may take away from the intended effect of the piece as a whole.(I say this as a guitarist who -loves- being amazed at Lenny's skill.) Those techniques,(& all the styles you mention), are within Ed's style, but integrated into one style, his own, & used used only to make the tune move forward, never as 'show-stoppers'.
Thanks for that information. I've developed a usable jazz tone with flats trying to emulate Pat Martino tone but I didn't know about the 12 roundwounds. Tone IS in the fingers and I'm going to try those roundwounds to see if I can fine more of it. Thanks!
It's not uncommon. Check out Mike Stern. I'm a big fan of Ed and I played on a Parker solid body for a few years... people were asking me the same question you're asking here! In the end, I deeply believe that "tone is in the fingers"!
typically he used a humbucker in the neck, prolly something standard (57 classic), but in this he appears to be using to stock pick ups. Its an old cliche but im afraid that sound is in his hands
Joe Pass is a beginner compared to Ed.That is why Joe played so much single note soloing. Nobody puts chords together like Ed. Maybe Johann Sebastian Bach's organ work.
come on peeps, you all would love to see bickert jump up and smash his tele into the drums. :) oh, and pete not metal guitarist. but on serious note, it odd that when listening to "newer" guitarists, i just dont dig Lee R, Steve L, Larry C, as much as Wes, Hall, Pass, Bickert, Farlow. Maybe just me but some if sounds too "pop" or more R&B then jazz.
@hallmanjon Bireli Lagrene in my opinion is the most impressive guitarist, he's just so versatile and every style he plays he has mastered....thats everything from manouche to bebop to classical to fusion to metal...u name it he's done it. and as far as technical skill Bireli is the best........i totally respect ur opinion tho im not arguing it, just stating my opinion....in the end they're both amazing and always a pleasure to listen to.
Sorry George Van Eps was way better than any of his recordings I saw him live with Tony Rizzi , Rizzi with his hands folded on top of his axe and his head shaking side to side, jaw on the floor as George played counter point jazz improvisation that sounds like Early Joe Pass AND late Wes Montgomery at the same time!!!!
silly to say one player "better" then another. to say breau better then bickert, bickert better then wes, wes better then Les, the good guitarists have own style that seperates them from each other, doesnt make them better. just different. plus the style of music they are playing will contribute to being "better" if you a bopper and hate cool,chances are you will not like cool style muscians. to earn the "better" crown bickert, les, wes, hall, would have to pull a Pete Townsend end of set.
To me, Ed stands as one of the finest and, unfortunately, most under-appreciated jazz guitarists of our time. Many of my fellow players simply dismissed him because of his choice of instrument. While a Tele is not high on the list of jazz guitars, he coaxes a rich tonality out of it. Far more important than the instrument was his subtle relaxed approach to the inner motion of the passing notes in the chords. In harmonic terms, he matched the master of subtlety, Jim Hall. This is a fine track!
Imagine how narrow minded a person must be to understimate a guitar player because of the guitar model he chooses... what a shame! Saludos
It probably also has something to do with how little Canada pumps into the arts and how much it doesn't even bother to toot its own players, unless they espouse some nationalistic pride.
The greatest chord melody guitarist of the 20 th century period
+j6449663 Check out Ted Greene if you haven't already.
For me, still ed bickert the best
Right on Gearda !
j6449663
Lenny Breau too.
andrewkeen24 Yes dude. This 2 indeed. Bickert and Greene are the greatest.
Ed is simply the best "tele" Jazz sound and feeling you can find a Harmonic Genius..Unbelievable!!!!
thanks for posting
God, what a genius. I wish you were still playing, Ed- but, if you loved your wife like you love your music- I can understand why you had to let it go, after her passing. What an honorable ambassador of the Art.
Ed Bickert is the greatest chord melody player ot the 20th century.
The great Claude Ranger on drums!!
With no cigarette hanging from the side of his mouth!😊
Yet another top notch performance by Ed and the trio. He gives such life to this song
When I first listened to this I was not watching the video and was trying to figure out what top-notch jazz musician was playing what top-notch jazz guitar.
R.I.P., this great giant of a guitarist- Ed Bickert, CME
Dan, Thank you so much for posting this! I am originally from NY and began studying Jazz guitar around 1970. If I had only known about Ed I would have travelled up North just to hear him play. All I can say is that it’s great that we have TH-cam and people like you who are willing to share!
this is great .ed is underrated nice sound lovely player.don thompson what can you say brilliant bassist one of the best. many thanks
An unassuming giant.
absolutely beautiful playing. just amazing.
Bird made people want to put down their horn-Ed makes me want to pack up my Tele.Just incredible musician.Thank god this video is available.
Inconceivably brilliant. Ty EB.
What musical class!
Beautiful!
This Guy is the 1st Telemaster. So inspiring.
Yep, and Fender never did a thing for him. No deals, no signature guitar model, no gratuitous instruments.
One of the techniques is to have your crystal-clear amp turned up to a good level, use Chrome-Flat 11's or so and use extremely light finger and pick attacks. Of course, you have to have tuned-in decent tone settings on your "crystal-clear" amp using the tone control on your guitar for final tone-tweeking. Mr. Bickert's right hand technique is breath-holding light and quite amazing.. You can even get a reasonably decent jazz tone from an SG if you work at it The hands are the most important.
Yes! the guitar still had 2 single coils- just great!...and using the pick and 3 fingers!!!
neck pickup is single coil?
I've been listening to theses posts since they went up 5 years ago almost everyday and I just can't believe how good Ed is. People talk about who is the best. All I can say is that Ed is perfect. Others might be perfect as well but you can't be better than perfect. What about the bass player? He quotes "Santa Claus is coming to town". What a freak.
Here, it looks like he's using telecaster with normal single coil pickup...
How did he get such a BEAUTIFUL sound!!!???
@lenThe great Lenny often played technically astounding passages that called attention to themselves for how difficult they were. That in itself doesn't make the music 'better', & may take away from the intended effect of the piece as a whole.(I say this as a guitarist who -loves- being amazed at Lenny's skill.) Those techniques,(& all the styles you mention), are within Ed's style, but integrated into one style, his own, & used used only to make the tune move forward, never as 'show-stoppers'.
Great Bickert footage. Is this stuff available on DVD anywhere? Simply Awesome.
ed bickert =Bill evans ...che classe!!
Nicely put.
So Great!
Thanks for that information. I've developed a usable jazz tone with flats trying to emulate Pat Martino tone but I didn't know about the 12 roundwounds. Tone IS in the fingers and I'm going to try those roundwounds to see if I can fine more of it. Thanks!
@earthimage1
I deeply agree with your statements. It seems Ed can make any device sing and dance
the way his caressing heart beats.
how did Ed got that jazy sound with a tele?? somebody give me a clue!
It's not uncommon. Check out Mike Stern.
I'm a big fan of Ed and I played on a Parker solid body for a few years... people were asking me the same question you're asking here!
In the end, I deeply believe that "tone is in the fingers"!
Me to
Some resemblance to "Darn That Dream."
Never heard of Ed before???
What types of Pickups does Ed use to coax that jazzy sound out of his Tele?
Thanks in advance.
typically he used a humbucker in the neck, prolly something standard (57 classic), but in this he appears to be using to stock pick ups. Its an old cliche but im afraid that sound is in his hands
no applause!
See above....
@noisyfan
...any device having 6 strings, of course...
I said any gtr can get that BASIC tone, I didn't say Ed's EXACT tone. Nor did I say roll the highs off all the way. Yes, that would result in mud.
Joe Pass is a beginner compared to Ed.That is why Joe played so much single note soloing. Nobody puts chords together like Ed. Maybe Johann Sebastian Bach's organ work.
Strange he isnt more well known. I guesss most people go for flash over substance.
come on peeps, you all would love to see bickert jump up and smash his tele into the drums. :) oh, and pete not metal guitarist. but on serious note, it odd that when listening to "newer" guitarists, i just dont dig Lee R, Steve L, Larry C, as much as Wes, Hall, Pass, Bickert, Farlow. Maybe just me but some if sounds too "pop" or more R&B then jazz.
It ain't the guitar...
@hallmanjon Bireli Lagrene in my opinion is the most impressive guitarist, he's just so versatile and every style he plays he has mastered....thats everything from manouche to bebop to classical to fusion to metal...u name it he's done it. and as far as technical skill Bireli is the best........i totally respect ur opinion tho im not arguing it, just stating my opinion....in the end they're both amazing and always a pleasure to listen to.
please don't forget flamenco
Sorry George Van Eps was way better than any of his recordings I saw him live with Tony Rizzi , Rizzi with his hands folded on top of his axe and his head shaking side to side, jaw on the floor as George played counter point jazz improvisation that sounds like Early Joe Pass AND late Wes Montgomery at the same time!!!!
Any elec guitar can get that basic tone. Just roll off the highs with the tone control--assuming it has one. ;)
You're kidding, right?
silly to say one player "better" then another. to say breau better then bickert, bickert better then wes, wes better then Les, the good guitarists have own style that seperates them from each other, doesnt make them better. just different. plus the style of music they are playing will contribute to being "better" if you a bopper and hate cool,chances are you will not like cool style muscians. to earn the "better" crown bickert, les, wes, hall, would have to pull a Pete Townsend end of set.