Charlie Christian
It can be said without exaggeration that virtually every jazz guitarist that emerged during 1940-65 sounded like a relative of Charlie Christian. The first important electric guitarist, Christian played his instrument with the fluidity, confidence, and swing of a saxophonist. Although technically a swing stylist, his musical vocabulary was studied and emulated by the bop players, and when one listens to players ranging from Tiny Grimes, Barney Kessel, and Herb Ellis, to Wes Montgomery and George Benson, the dominant influence of Christian is obvious.
Charlie Christian's time in the spotlight was terribly brief. He played piano locally in Oklahoma, and began to utilize an amplified guitar in 1937, after becoming a student of Eddie Durham, a jazz guitarist who invented the amplified guitar. John Hammond, the masterful talent scout and producer, heard about Christian (possibly from Mary Lou Williams), was impressed by what he saw, and arranged for the guitarist to travel to Los Angeles in August 1939 and try out with Benny Goodman. Although the clarinetist was initially put off by Christian's primitive wardrobe, as soon as they started jamming on "Rose Room," Christian's talents were obvious. For the next two years, he would be well-featured with Benny Goodman's Sextet; there were two solos (including the showcase "Solo Flight") with the full orchestra; and the guitarist had the opportunity to jam at Minton's Playhouse with such up-and-coming players as Thelonious Monk, Kenny Clarke, and Dizzy Gillespie. All of the guitarist's recordings (including guest spots and radio broadcasts) are currently available on CD. Tragically, he contracted tuberculosis in 1941, and died at the age of 25 on March 2, 1942. It would be 25 years before jazz guitarists finally moved beyond Charlie Christian.
© Scott Yanow /TiVo
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BD Music Presents Charlie Christian
Blues - Released by BDMUSIC on 25 jun. 2004
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Genius Of The Electric Guitar
Bebop - Released by Columbia on 1 jan. 1941
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
After Hours
Charlie Christian, Dizzy Gillespie
Jazz - Released by Fantasy Records on 19 nov. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Charlie Christian: The Genius of the Electric Jazz Guitar - Chapter 2
Jazz - Released by Jazz Essential on 28 apr. 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Complete Jazz Collection & Blues
Bebop - Released by Vintage Masters Inc. on 1 dec. 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Essential Charlie Christian
Jazz - Released by Columbia - Legacy on 3 nov. 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Charlie Christian
Bebop - Released by Archive of Folk & Jazz Music on 15 jul. 1957
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
The Original Guitar Hero
Bebop - Released by Columbia - Legacy on 1 jan. 2001
The Qobuz Essential Discography16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Charlie Christian Quintessence 1939-1941 New York - Los Angeles
Bebop - Released by Fremeaux Heritage on 30 jul. 2002
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
When Lights Are Low
Jazz - Released by Catfish Records on 6 okt. 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jazz Immortal: After Hours Monroe's Harlem Mintons (Live)
Charlie Christian, Dizzy Gillespie
Jazz - Released by Esoteric Records on 29 aug. 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Charlie Christian: Radioland 1939-1941
Jazz - Released by Fuel 2000 on 6 sep. 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Swing to Bop (2000 Remastered Version)
Jazz - Released by Dreyfus Jazz on 1 dec. 1993
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jazz Guitar Hero
Charlie Christian, Benny Goodman Sextet
Jazz - Released by Grammercy Records on 1 dec. 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
35 Essential Jazz Classics By Charlie Christian
Pop - Released by Rendez-Vous Digital on 12 apr. 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Immortal Charlie Christian
Bebop - Released by Laserlight Digital on 15 okt. 1957
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Solo Flight (Authentic Recordings 1940 - 1941)
Charlie Christian, Benny Goodman
Jazz - Released by Jazz Classics on 1 jan. 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Solo Flight: Charlie Christian Live! With the Benny Goodman Sextet (Bonus Track Version)
Jazz - Released by Starlight Jazz on 25 apr. 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Ultimate Jazz Store, Vol. 14 (Charlie Christian)
Jazz - Released by Black Sheep Music on 15 nov. 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Guitar & Bass
Pop/Rock - Released by Sony Music Media on 20 sep. 2004
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo