Charlie Christian

Charlie Christian

Charles Henry Christian (July 29, 1916 – March 2, 1942) 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.

Birth and Death Data: Born July 29, 1916 (Dallas), Died March 2, 1942 (Staten Island)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1939 - 1941

Roles Represented in DAHR: guitar

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company	Matrix No.	Size	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Description	Role
Victor	BS-041408	10-in.	9/11/1939	Hot mallets	Lionel Hampton Orchestra	Jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, guitar
Victor	BS-060331	10-in.	1/16/1941	Bugle call rag	Metronome All Star Band	Jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, guitar
Victor	BS-060332	10-in.	1/16/1941	One o'clock jump	Metronome All Star Band	Jazz/dance band	instrumentalist, guitar

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Christian, Charlie," accessed April 18, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103283.

Christian, Charlie. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 18, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103283.

"Christian, Charlie." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 18 April 2024.

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