Today's playlist. For the 13th installment, we have Charlie Christian, a pioneer of bebop jazz. I bought this record at Flash Disc Ranch, my favorite record store in Shimokitazawa. This store has been my go-to place ever since I first moved to Setagaya, and it's popular for its amazing point card system where once you collect 50 stamps, you get 50% off any number of records under 15,000 yen. Shimokitazawa is a place I often find myself spontaneously getting off the Odakyu Line on my way home. Whenever I get off at Shimokita, I always stop by here and buy a few records. I've been doing this for about five years now.
Charlie was born in Texas but moved to Oklahoma City in his childhood. He began playing the electric guitar seriously around 1936.
In 1939, Charlie was discovered by music critic and Benny Goodman's advisor, John Hammond, and participated in an audition for the Goodman Orchestra. Interestingly, Charlie didn't have his own guitar at the time and borrowed one from his friend, Les Paul. He delivered a magnificent 90-minute performance and was accepted into the Benny Goodman Orchestra.
In 1940, he contracted tuberculosis, but despite his doctor's advice, Charlie did not give up womanizing and marijuana.
During the day, I worked with Benny Goodman, and at night, I enjoyed jam sessions with young musicians in New York clubs. This was the era of bebop, a pioneering new style of jazz.
In 1941, a session at Minton's Playhouse with Dizzy Gillespie and Thelonious Monk, considered a historic turning point in bebop jazz, was recorded by the young recording engineer Jerry Newman and remains today as "Charlie Christian at Minton's Playhouse."
In 1942, his tuberculosis worsened, and he died at the age of 25.
WAITER-U offers not only camping gear, but also a curated selection of music, books, and movies.
I've also created a playlist on Spotify, so please feel free to listen to it in the car on your way to a camping trip.
