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 early adoption of the electric guitar, helped bring the guitar out of the rhythm section and into the forefront as a solo instrument. For this, he is often credited with pioneering the development of the lead guitar role.

Similar Artists

Benny Goodman

Duke Ellington

Fats Waller

Count Basie

Wynton Marsalis

Sidney Bechet

Erroll Garner

Lionel Hampton

Oscar Peterson

Lester Young

Artie Shaw

Fletcher Henderson

Johnny Hodges

Roy Eldridge

Woody Herman

Gerry Mulligan

Teddy Wilson

Earl Hines

Tommy Dorsey

Jelly Roll Morton

Charlie Parker

Gene Krupa

Preservation Hall Jazz Band

Catherine Russell

Duke Ellington & His Orchestra

The Hot Sardines

Don Byas

Mary Lou Williams

Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra

Count Basie and his Orchestra

Kid Ory

Benny Goodman Quartet

Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra