Charlie Christian was a revolutionary guitarist who forever transformed the role of the instrument in jazz. Before his emergence, the guitar was largely confined to the rhythm section. But Christian, through his pioneering use of the electric guitar, brought it into the spotlight as a lead instrument, delivering fluid, melodic solos that echoed the phrasing of horn players. His playing was smooth, swinging, and effortlessly modern, setting a new standard for what the guitar could do in a jazz en