About
Charles Henry Christian was an American swing and jazz guitarist. He was among the first electric guitarists and was a key figure in the development of bebop and cool jazz. He gained national exposure as a member of the Benny Goodman Sextet and Orchestra from August 1939 to June 1941. His single-string technique, combined with amplification, helped bring the guitar out of the rhythm section and into the forefront as a solo instrument. For this, he is often credited with leading to the development of the lead guitar role in musical ensembles and bands.
Albums/Songs:
- Solo Flight
- Volumes 1-4, 1939-1940, Complete Edition
- Masters of Jazz, Volume 1: 1939
- Masters of Jazz, Volume 3: 1939-1940
- 1939-1940
- AC‐DC Current
- Celestial Express
- Masters of Jazz, Volume 4: 1940
- Benny Goodman The Rehearsal Sessions 1940 – 41
- Masters of Jazz, Volume 7: 1941
- Masters of Jazz, Volume 5: 1940
- Swing to Bop
- Solo Flight (The Genius of Charlie Christian)
- Dizzy Gillespie / Charley Christian 1941 (Minton’s Playhouse & Monroe’s Uptown, New York City)
- The Benny Goodman Sextet feat. Charlie Christian: 1939-1941
- Masters of Jazz, Volume 8: 1941
- Masters of Jazz, Volume 6: 1940-1941
- Guitar Wizard
- I Giganti Del Jazz Vol. 4
- Genius of Electric Guitar
- Solo Flight
- The Immortal Charlie Christian
- Masters of Jazz, Volume 2: 1939
- The Genius of the Electric Guitar
- With the Benny Goodman Sextet and Orchestra
Call to Action:
What’s your favorite Charlie Christian song? Share your thoughts in the comments below!