Black History Month Music: Charlie Christian
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (82642)
United States
February 4, 2026 10:49am CST
So far this month it’s been “Yeah! Great! Perfect!” Welcome to “who????” 
That’s the point of history: to learn things. And, as part of Black History Month, I’m celebrating the legends…which probably includes a lot of people you’ve never heard of. Here’s one of the pioneers.
Charlie Christian
Charlie Christian was all of 25 when he died of tuberculosis. The influence he made on music in that short period of time is phenomenal. He played professionally for less than ten years, and his national recognition lasted for less than three. Are you starting to get the idea that this guy did something BIG?
In 1931, George Beauchamp and Adolph Rickenbacker developed a way to electrically increase the volume of a guitar. While we think of electric guitars as mainstays these days, back in the 30s a guitar was barely audible in a big band amid all the trumpets, trombones, and saxophones. Christian was hired by Benny Goodman in 1939. Let me repeat that: in the 1930s a white bandleader hired a black guitarist.
Sadly, because of his health, Christian never got to record anything as a bandleader. All of the recordings that exist of him are either him as part of someone’s band, or (as linked below) live club or acetate recordings.
Charlie Christian helped put the electric guitar on the map, not only in jazz but in all of music.
Charlie Christian
Born Charles Henry Christian, July 29, 1916, Bonham, Texas
Died March 2, 1942, New York City (tuberculosis) (age 25)
HALLS OF FAME: Rock and Roll, 1990; Down Beat Jazz, 1966; Oklahoma Jazz, 1989
A live club recording of Christian playing “Stompin’ at the Savoy”:
That’s the point of history: to learn things. And, as part of Black History Month, I’m celebrating the legends…which probably includes a lot of people you’ve never heard of. Here’s one of the pioneers.
Charlie Christian
Charlie Christian was all of 25 when he died of tuberculosis. The influence he made on music in that short period of time is phenomenal. He played professionally for less than ten years, and his national recognition lasted for less than three. Are you starting to get the idea that this guy did something BIG?
In 1931, George Beauchamp and Adolph Rickenbacker developed a way to electrically increase the volume of a guitar. While we think of electric guitars as mainstays these days, back in the 30s a guitar was barely audible in a big band amid all the trumpets, trombones, and saxophones. Christian was hired by Benny Goodman in 1939. Let me repeat that: in the 1930s a white bandleader hired a black guitarist.
Sadly, because of his health, Christian never got to record anything as a bandleader. All of the recordings that exist of him are either him as part of someone’s band, or (as linked below) live club or acetate recordings.
Charlie Christian helped put the electric guitar on the map, not only in jazz but in all of music.
Charlie Christian
Born Charles Henry Christian, July 29, 1916, Bonham, Texas
Died March 2, 1942, New York City (tuberculosis) (age 25)
HALLS OF FAME: Rock and Roll, 1990; Down Beat Jazz, 1966; Oklahoma Jazz, 1989
A live club recording of Christian playing “Stompin’ at the Savoy”:Your browser isn’t supported anymore. Update it to get the best YouTube experience and our latest features. Learn moreRemind me later
3 people like this
2 responses
@FourWalls (82642)
• United States
4h
I know! That’s one of the things that we have trouble with in modern times: we’re so used to this. Back then, it was completely new and innovative.
1 person likes this
