Charlie Christian

Charlie Christian (29 July 1916 - 2 March 1942) was an American jazz guitarist and an innovator in the field of electric guitar.

Chistian was born in Bonham, Texas, USA and was raised in Oklahoma. In the late 1930s, he ca

Charlie Christian (29 July 1916 - 2 March 1942) was an American jazz guitarist and an innovator in the field of electric guitar.

Chistian was born in Bonham, Texas, USA and was raised in Oklahoma. In the late 1930s, he came to the attention of record producer John Hammond, who introduced Christian to bandleader Benny Goodman. Goodman hired Christian to play with the Goodman Sextet starting in 1939. Goodman was initially reluctant to hire Christian, due in part to the fact that electric guitar was a relatively new instrument; however, Goodman was so impressed by Christian's playing that he changed his mind.