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Historical Figures In Jazz Guitar

Eddie Lang
1904-1933

Eddie's birth name was Salvatore Massaro. He changed his name when he started his career performing, an Italian name was a disadvantage at that time. He was a proficient blues player and recorded a few blues records under the name "Blind Wille Dunn."

Eddie is most remembered for his work with violinist Joe Venuti. Lang and Venuti were considered the American equivalent of Europe's Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli.

Lang was a master of improvisation and had amazing facility on the guitar. His single note soloing was intricate, expressive and blues influenced. His chordal playing was also impressive, changing chords on every beat and swinging hard.

Django Reinhardt
1910-1953

Django started his musical training on the violin, banjo and guitar. His parents were gypsies living in France and Belgium.

In 1928 Django was burnt badly in a fire and lost the use of two of his left hand fingers. He continued to play with only two fingers, and achieved a high level of technical proficiency that few guitarist have equaled since then.

Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli performed together throughout Django's life. He also worked with his brothers who were primarily rhythm guitar players.

His style of improvisation was European, influenced by western classical music and gypsy folk music.

Charlie Christian
1916-1942

Charlie changed the role of the guitarist in the jazz band. Charlie was the first person to become proficient on the electric guitar.

Christian worked with several big bands but is most remembered for his work with Benny Goodman. Benny featured Charlie as a soloist and not a rhythm player. Charlie is responsible for putting the electric guitar on the musical map.

Christian's improvising was impeccable. He swung like a horn player and utilized many melodic devices that Bird used. If Christian had lived he would have been one of the musicians credited with creating Bebop