Charles Henry “Charlie” Christian (29.07.1916-02.03.1942) was a jazz guitarist during the swing era and a pioneer on the electric guitar.
With the amplification it was possible to bring out the guitar from the rhythm section and to use it as a solo instrument. Thanks to his talent, Charlie popularized the electric guitar in jazz.
He developed melody lines with a single-string technique, influenced more by the brass instruments and woodwinds than the guitar players of that time. His goal was to sound like a tenor saxophone.
In 1939 Charlie Christian was discovered by jazz producer John Hammond who introduced him to Benny Goodman.
Goodman hired Charlie for his newly formed sextet, which included Lionel Hampton, Fletcher Henderson, Artie Bernstein and Nick Fatool.
Charlie died far too early at the age of 25 because of tuberculosis.
Six Appeal is probably not the most important song recorded by the Sextet but I just love this tune.
It has this laid back feeling with a solid rhythm section and the solo parts of the electric guitar, the vibes and the clarinet are beautiful.
Line-up: Benny Goodman (cl), Lionel Hampton (vibes), Dudley Brooks (p), Charlie Christian (electric guitar), Artie Bernstein (b), Nick Fatool (d).
Title: Six Appeal (My Daddy Rocks Me)
Artist: Charlie Christian (Benny Goodman Sextet)
Recorded: 29.06.1940 in Los Angeles
Tempo: 142 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop
You can find the songs of the series also on my Spotify playlist.
Official hashtag of the series: #djcsotw
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