Musician

Charlie Christian

Born: July 29, 1916

As the man who popularized the guitar in a jazz setting, his legacy lives on. Charlie Christian was born on July 29, 1916 in Bonham, Texas but was raised in Oklahoma City from the time he was two years old. Charlie's immediate family were all musically talented - his mother played the piano; his father sang and played the trumpet and guitar; his brother, Clarence, played the violin and the mandolin; and his oldest brother, Edward, played the string bass. His parents made a living writing accompaniments for silent movies. At the age of twelve, Charlie was playing on a guitar that he had made from a cigar box in a manual training class

Article: Radio & Podcasts

Final Recordings of Swing Era Masters: Mary Lou Williams, Artie Shaw, Django Reinhardt and more

by Larry Slater
August 22, 2025

There are many facets to great artists' careers, from their earliest musical adventures to their final recordings. Some lose their remarkable musical facilities as age, illness or drug abuse takes its toll, while others maintain their mastery until their final performance.The swing era was particularly tough on musicians, with the demands of constant travel ...

Article: Live Review

Pat Metheny at Sumida Triphony Hall

by Tomoyuki Kubo
July 31, 2025

Pat Metheny Sumida Triphony Hall Tokyo, Japan May 27 & 28, 2025 The announcement of Pat Metheny's 2025 Japan Solo Tour arrived unexpectedly, thrilling fans. The Dream Box Tour solo concerts, held across Japan from January to February 2024, marked a striking departure from Metheny's previous performances, leaving an ...

Video

Celebrating the Guitar Playing of Charlie Christian

Featuring the music of Charlie Christian
Duration: 11:00
July 29, 2025

Many know of guitarist Charlie Christian, but how many have studied his playing or even listened to one of his solos? Christian could be considered the most influential jazz guitarist ever. He demonstrated how a guitar with a pickup and amplifier could compete with horn players in playing fast, loud lead lines and solos. In addition, he contributed mightily to the vocabulary of bebop, including the insertion of upper chord extensions. This icon was born on July 29, 1916, became known for his work with Benny Goodman starting 1939, and died at the age of 25. Since there seem to be no video recordings of Christian, we here present a video of current teacher Nathan Borton explaining Christian's approach on "Grand Slam." If you��re looking for the real thing from the master, search YouTube for "Stompin�� at the Savoy (1941) - Charlie Christian."

Article: Catching Up With

Quincy Jones: An Evening With A Legend

by Solomon J. LeFlore
November 4, 2024

This article was first published on All About Jazz on October 31, 2014. I love jazz! I love everything about it... the improvisation, syncopation, the forceful rhythm, and the fact that it is truly America's original art form. Its unique and innovative use of brass and woodwind instruments and the piano is jazz. And, ...

Article: Interview

A Conversation with Charlie Hunter

by Jason West
September 15, 2024

This article was first published at All About Jazz in May 1999. One tends to get the impression that Charlie Hunter truly doesn't care about the big money, the acres of critics, or the international hype he receives. Perhaps this is because the 31 year-old Bay Area native is too concerned about growing as ...

Article: In Pictures

The Jazz Loft Presents The John Monteleone Art of the Guitar Festival: The Anthony Wilson Organ Trio

by Dan Bilawsky
August 6, 2024

When summer settles in, jazz fans turn their focus toward festivals. No stranger to this scenario, The Jazz Loft, in Stony Brook, NY, draws plenty of ears and cheers with its John Monteleone Art of the Guitar Festival. A celebration of a master luthier, his instruments and those who wield them, this eagerly anticipated event offers ...

Article: Book Review

Kansas City Jazz: A Little Evil Will Do You Good

by Andrew Hunter
October 31, 2023

Kansas City Jazz: A Little Evil Will Do You Good Con Chapman 358 pages ISBN: # 978 1 80050 282 6 Equinox Publishing Limited 2023 In January 1920, the Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution came into effect, ushering in 14 years of Prohibition and, inadvertently, a golden ...

Article: Album Review

Diva Jazz Orchestra: "30": Live at Dizzy's Club

by Jack Bowers
October 19, 2023

The “30" in the title of the superlative all-woman Diva Jazz Orchestra's latest album stands for 30 years, which, believe it or not, is how long the orchestra and its remarkable drummer and leader, Sherrie Maricle, have been up and running and making beautiful music at home and abroad. Among U.S.-based big bands, it would seem ...

News: Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Charlie Christian

July 29, 2023

All About Jazz is celebrating Charlie Christian's birthday today! As the man who popularized the guitar in a jazz setting, his legacy lives on. Charlie Christian was born on July 29, 1916 in Bonham, Texas but was raised in Oklahoma City from the time he was two years old. Charlie's immediate family were all musically talented- ...