Charlie Christian
1916 – 1942

Charlie Christian

American swing and jazz guitarist (1916-1942)

jazz guitaristcomposer
Born
1916-07-29, Bonham
Died
1942-03-02
Birthplace state
Texas

Biography

Charlie Christian was born in Bonham, Texas in 1916 and died in 1942. A jazz guitarist and composer, he played with the Benny Goodman Sextet and Orchestra from August 1939 to June 1941. He was among the first electric guitarists, and his single-string technique helped establish the guitar as a solo instrument rather than one confined to rhythm accompaniment. He played a key role in the development of bebop and cool jazz.

Occupation

Charlie Christian is recorded as a jazz guitarist and a composer, born in Texas (1916–1942).

Connections to Texas

Charlie Christian was born in Bonham, Texas in 1916. Explore other notable figures from Texas, historic sites connected to this era, and the full colonial and statehood history of the state using the links below.

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Overview
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The Land
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Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
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Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
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The Community
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Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
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Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
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Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
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More notable figures from Texas

Other historical figures born in Texas, ranked by historical prominence.

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Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
president of the United States from 1963 to 1969 (1908–1973)
Selena
Selena
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Joan Crawford
Joan Crawford
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Debbie Reynolds
Debbie Reynolds
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Patrick Swayze
Patrick Swayze
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Howard Hughes
Howard Hughes
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Frequently asked about Charlie Christian

Who was Charlie Christian?
Charlie Christian was American swing and jazz guitarist (1916-1942), born in Texas (1916 – 1942).
When and where was Charlie Christian born?
Charlie Christian was born on 1916-07-29 in Bonham.
When did Charlie Christian die?
Charlie died on 1942-03-02.
What was Charlie Christian known for?
Charlie Christian is recorded as a jazz guitarist and a composer.
Source

Biographical content adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Source: Wikipedia.

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