Charlie Christian, a pioneering musical artist, was born in Bonham, Texas, and moved with his family to Oklahoma City in 1918. The Christian family was well versed in the musical industry. His parents made a living performing accompaniment pieces for silent movies while his two brothers, Clarence and Edward, were both gifted with an aptitude for string instruments. Christian began playing the trumpet at first, but would later turn to learning the guitar, an instrument that would become synonymous with his name.
By the time Christian was 21 he had completely transitioned into playing the electric guitar and had developed a particular "single note" style which many consider to be well ahead of its time. At age 23, Christian's talents were discovered by John Hammond, a music promoter who vouched for him to audition for the Benny Goodman Quartet in Los Angeles. Goodman was put off at first due to Christian's proficiency with an electric instrument being an irregularity in the industry at the time. However, Christian eventually won Goodman over and became a mainstay in his band for the better part of two years.
His career and life would be cut short after being diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1941. He lost his battle with the disease less than a year later on March 2, 1942, at the young age of twenty-five. The legacy of Charlie Christian lives on within the unique techniques and sounds that would usher in a new era of the guitar in musical history.
Want to hear more?
Click below to listen to Charlie Christian's performance of "Swing to Bop" at Mintons NYC in 1941.