Charlie Christian

USA, 1939–1942

American guitarist (1916-1942) who, with Benny Goodman's sextet, established the amplified guitar as a solo instrument phrased like a horn. His playing at Minton's fed directly into bebop.

MusicRoots documents 2 artists who influenced Charlie Christian and 0 artists Charlie Christian influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Charlie Christian?

• Lester Young — Christian idolised Lester Young, learning his Count Basie solos by heart — he wanted his guitar to phrase like Young's tenor saxophone, lagging and springing off the beat.
• Count Basie — The riffing, blues-based swing of the Count Basie band — and Young's place in it — was the musical world Christian's single-line guitar grew out of.