Charlie Christian
Charlie Christian (July 29, 1916 - March 2, 1942) was a famous jazz guitarist. Born in Dallas. He played with the
Benny Goodman sextet starting in 1939 and is considered by most to be the first real innovator on the electric guitar. His use of the newly created "amplified guitar" as a solo instrument influenced by the jazz and blues licks he heard from other corners paved the way for every electric guitarist thereafter, from
B.B. King to
Jimi Hendrix, and in fact Christian is in the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame as an Early Contributor. Only Django Reinhardt is considered as important as an early jazz guitarist, but he was an acoustic player.Though known mainly for his influence on electric guitar, Christian was also an important player in the development of bebop, or "modern jazz," and his improvistaional sessions at Minton's Playhouse in New York were landmarks in the evolution of the art form from the then-popular, radio-friendly, easily-accessible swing music to the more intimate, experimental, and intellectual improv-oriented world of bop. Because Christian played with Swing-King Benny Goodman, this contrast is easily apparent to even a casual observer, especially on the tracks "Blues in B" and "Waiting for Benny," jam sessions recorded in a studio while the sextet waited for Goodman to arrive. Unfortunately, Christian contracted tuberculosis and pneumonia and died at just 25 years old. He remains a highly respected early guitar player and modern jazz innovator.
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