Charlie+Christian

As you research your selected guitarist, you will need to note some specific information from his or her life and career. Include the following in your final writing: Details for your written assignment: ,
 * Introduction
 * Biography
 * Discography
 * Legacy
 * Conclusion

Your Name: (Rachel H):

Write your essay here! :

Jazz: music originating in New Orleans around the beginning of the 20th century and subsequently developing through various increasingly complex styles, generally marked by intricate, propulsive rhythms, polyphonic ensemble playing, improvisatory, virtuosic solos, melodic freedom. Charlie Christian was a guitarist who played jazz, and paved the way for many other artists after him. He utilized the guitar’s ability to create long, swinging notes and melodic solos. Christian sometimes also had improvised sections in his music for many minutes.

Charlie Christian was born in the small town of Bonham, Texas, on July 29, 1916. Two years later, they moved to Oklahoma. Although the family was very poor, they were able to make a living playing jazz on the streets or providing the music for silent movies. Every person in Charlie’s family was a musician, and the first instrument he learned to play was the trumpet. He attended Douglass School in Oklahoma City. When he was a teen, Charlie played music in clubs, one called Deep Duce, and he was very popular with the people in them. One night, Charlie was playing in the club, and everyone liked his style and music a lot, but he had to get home quickly in case his mom figured out where he was. By the time he arrived home, Charlie’s mother had already figured out that he was playing music in the club!

Charlie Christian released the song “Benny’s Bugle” in 1940, and “Breakfast Feud” also in 1940. Lester Young, Charlie’s father, and his siblings have heavily influenced Charlie in his style of music, his technique, and the songs he plays. Mostly the styles of Blues and Jazz have influenced Charlie Christian’s music.

My guitarist has influenced many artists in the jazz word, and even some out of it, such as Jimmi Hendrix! Charlie Christian has left a legacy of brilliant solos, strong melodies, and long, swinging notes that make up him as an artist. After Charlie died, it took at least twenty five years before jazz guitarist exceeded his original, fresh style. He has changed the guitar world in a big way because artists today even try to mock his unique style.

Charlie Christian lived from 1916 to 1942, and passed away because of tuberculosis. He played a Gibson ES150, and was a member of the Benny Goodman sexet. Charlie was a very talented jazz guitarist who opened new doors for other guitarists in genres all over music, and his legacy still influences artists today!

Works Cited

Sources : "Charlie Christian." //Encyclopedia of World Biography//. Vol. 32. Detroit: Gale, 2012. //Biography In Context//. Web. 1 May 2013.

"Scott Colley." //Scott Colley//. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2013.

Dictionary.com, "jazz," in //Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition//. Source location: HarperCollins Publishers. []. Available: []. Accessed: May 13, 2013


 * Your Source List:**

Guitarist Research Notes Table
//cells will expand as you enter your findings// || ~music originating in New Orleans around the beginning of the 20th century and subsequently developing through various increasingly complex styles, generally marked by intricate, propulsive rhythms, polyphonic ensemble playing, improvisatory, virtuosic solos, melodic freedom || the first instrument he played was the trumpet || Breakfast Feud- 1940 || What do you like about his/her style? || Scott Colley He has long, swinging saxaphone notes in his peices and a strong beat ||
 * ** Information Feature ** ||= **Your Findings**
 * The guitar style I am researching is: || Jazz ||
 * The artist I am researching is: || Charlie Christian ||
 * This guitarist lived from __to__ ___ || 1916 to 1942 ||
 * Define and describe the guitar style you are researching. || strong melodies and a bebop style with long, swinging notes and melodic solos
 * What kind of musical training did the guitarist have? || He was a member of the Benny Goodman sexet ||
 * What types of music influenced this artist? || all jazz artists ||
 * Name some musicians who influenced the guitarist you are researching. || Lester Young, Zelia Breaux ||
 * Has this guitarist played more than one style? If so, what other styles? || no, only jazz ||
 * What type of guitar does this musician play? || Gibson ES150 ||
 * What are some interesting facts about your guitarist’s childhood? || his whole family played instruments and were very poor
 * What did this guitarist do before he became famous? || played in many clubs or on the streets when he was younger and ||
 * List two interesting facts about the guitarist’s life. || He was diagnosed with TB in 1940 ||
 * List two albums or songs your artist released, the dates they were released and why they are important. || Benny's Bugle- 1940
 * Who is playing this style of music today?
 * What legacy has this guitarist left to the world of music? || All jazz artists copy Charlie's long, swinging notes and long improvisions. 25 years after charlie died was finally when jazz artists started to exceed charlie's new, fresh style. ||