This is FRESH AIR. This Friday marks the centennial of the birth of electric guitarist Charlie Christian, who was one of the most influential musicians of the last century. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead ...

Nearly everything you need to know about Charlie Christian can be learned from the compilation album Charlie Christian – The Genius of the Electric Guitar. Released on Columbia Records in 1987, this ...

Many know of guitarist Charlie Christian, but how many have studied his playing or even listened to one of his solos? Christian could be considered the most influential jazz guitarist ever. He ...

The Benny Goodman Sextet opened doors. When guitarist Charlie Christian would take a solo, he’d express the ideas that made jazz what it is. He and vibraphonist Lionel Hampton had a lot of solo space ...