Charlie Christian

Charlie Christian was an American jazz guitarist who pioneered the use of the electric guitar in jazz. He was a member of Benny Goodman's sextet and orchestra from August 1939 to June 1941. His single-string technique, combined with amplification, helped move the guitar from the rhythm section to the forefront as a solo instrument. Christian was a key figure in the development of bebop and cool jazz. His influence extends far beyond the guitar, affecting musicians like Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, and Miles Davis. In 1990, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The products available from the artist Charlie Christian include CDs.