A Biography of Charlie Christian, Jazz Guitar's King of Swing

Clear-headed in their search for truth, the authors correct many misconceptions about Christian's life and music." - Lewis Porter, Associate Professor of Music, Rutgers University-Newark" . "More than sixty years after his sadly premature death, Charlie Christian still has a devoted following worldwide his influence was immense. Every jazz guitarist after him took him as an initial model, and these include Barney Kessel, Tiny Grimes, Jimmey Raney, and even Wes Montgomery and George Benson. Written in a thoroughly engaging style, it offers interviews with friends and family members never heard

This is a biography on the career of jazz guitarist Charlie Christian, who was raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma during the Depression era in the Southwestern region of the United States. Christian's discovery by producer John Hammond led to Christian's membership in the Benny Goodman Sextet in August of 1939. The biography finally uncovers details into Christian's private life, and his untimely death during the apex of the Goodman era.. The book documents Christian's performances in the urban area of Oklahoma City on Second Street, better known as 'Deep Deuce', as well as his travels with both Anna Mae Winburn and the Alphonso Trent Orchestra. This book provides an in-depth analysis of the details surrounding the events that shaped Christian's musical development, beginning with his early influences of 'Territory bands' and 'western swing' groups. The book also chronicles Christian's most s

This an exceptional work of scholarship. Anybody interested in Brad Dennis Tolinski This an exceptional work of scholarship. Anybody interested in Christian and the music of Oklahoma City will find a world of new ideas here.