Memorable Manitobans: Edward Isaac “Ed” Bickert (1932-2019)

Edward Isaac Bickert Click to enlarge

Musician.

Born at Hochfeld on 29 November 1932, his childhood was spent at Vernon, British Columbia. In 1952, he began a professional music career as a radio engineer. His appearance on the Paul Desmond album Pure Demond, in 1974, brought him international attention. One of Canada's top jazz guitarists for almost 50 years, he recorded more than a dozen albums as a bandleader and appeared on more than 50 as a sideman for some of the greatest performers of the period, including Benny Carter, Rosemary Clooney, and Oscar Peterson. He was a recipient of three Juno Awards for jazz music. He was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1996. Due to the death of his wife, Madeline, arthritis, and injuries, he retired from playing in 2000. He died at Toronto, Ontario on 28 February 2019.

Sources:

Biography, Billboard Canada.

Biography, The Globe and Mail, 27 November 2012.

Obituary, Ottawa Citizen, 2 March 2019.

Obituary, The Globe and Mail, 2 March 2019.

This page was prepared by James Kostuchuk and Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 2 February 2026

Memorable Manitobans This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations. Search the collection by word or phrase, name, place, occupation or other text: Custom Search Browse surnames beginning with: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z Browse deaths occurring in: 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 Send corrections and additions to this page to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.ca Criteria for Memorable Manitobans | Suggest a Memorable Manitoban | Firsts | Acknowledgements Help us keep history alive!