Charlie Christian
1916–1942 (age 26)
Musician
Biography
Charlie Christian grew up in Texas, where he learned guitar in church and became one of the first musicians to embrace the electric instrument; after making his name in the Kansas City jazz scene he joined Benny Goodman's band and brought single-line brilliance to the swing era.
His solos helped usher in bebop sensibilities despite his short life, and tuberculosis claimed him in 1942 at age 25; the recordings remain influential, and he rests at Gates Hill Cemetery.