RIP, Charlie Christian (1916-1942)

Jazz guitarist Charlie Christian died on March 2, 1942, in New York City, a year after he contracted tuberculosis. He was just 25 years old. He is buried in the Gates Hill Cemetery in Bonham, Texas.

Christian was a key figure in the history of the electric guitar, and his technique helped establish the guitar as a legitimate solo instrument. He gained national exposure as a member of the Benny Goodman Sextet and Orchestra from August 1939 to June 1941 and was a major influence in the development of bebop and cool jazz.

In his book, The 101 Best Jazz Albums, Len Lyons recommends Christian's album, Solo Flight (Columbia CG 30779), but this has not been issued on CD or MP3.  The vinyl is available via Amazon.com.

Instead, Jim Determan recommends the three alternatives listed below. As he notes, the box set "is the definitive reissue [but for] those wanting a single Charlie Christian CD, the first Columbia single CD makes a good choice." The third CD, according to Determan, "has good sextet material, but Christian's role is less prominent."

• Charlie Christian: Genius of the Electric Guitar, Box Set (Sony) (Available at Amazon.com.)
• Charlie Christian: Genius of the Electric Guitar (Columbia/Sony) (Available at Amazon.com.)
• Charlie Christian: The Benny Goodman Sextet Featuring Charlie Christian (Columbia/Sony)
(Available at Amazon.com.)

Christian plays "Blues in B" here:

Robert
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