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Christian, Charlie (Charles) 1916-42
US jazz guitarist

Remembered for his melodic facility and harmonic boldness as the father of the modern jazz guitar, he was born in Dallas, Texas, and learned to play a home-made 'cigar box' guitar as a child. His skill developed to the point where he was hired by bandleader Benny Goodman in 1939, playing mainly with the Goodman sextet rather than the big band. Christian pioneered the use of the amplified guitar as a solo instrument, freeing the guitar from a purely rhythmic role. He was one of the musicians whose after-hours sessions at Minton's Playhouse in New York laid the basis of the bebop revolution.