Charlie Christian, Oklahoma City’s Native Son – Born in Bonham, Texas in 1916 and raised in the Deep Deuce area of Oklahoma City, Charlie Christian made history by bringing the guitar out of the rhythm section and into the forefront as a solo instrument, with his unique solo string technique. An important early performer of the electric guitar, and cited as a key figure in the development of bebop and jazz, Charlie Christian was often referred to as the best improvisational talent of the swing era.
Sadly, Charlie Christian died from tuberculosis at the young age of 25 in Staten Island, NY. Since his death, he has been inducted into every major music hall of fame and his legacy lives on through every great guitar performance ever heard.
Oklahoma City is proud to claim Charlie Christian as a native son. The Charlie Christian International Music Festival is our way of honoring his life and the gift of music he left behind. Listen to Charlie's Music
Founded in Oklahoma City in 1985, the Charlie Christian International Music Festival honors the life and legacy of Charlie Christian, who grew up in the Deep Deuce area of Oklahoma City in the 1920s and 30s, where he made history by bringing the electric guitar out of the rhythm section and into the forefront as a solo instrument, with his unique solo string technique.
Throughout the years, this festival has enjoyed the talents of music greats like Branford Marsalis, Isaac Hayes, The Yellowjackets, George Benson, Grady Nichols, Kevin Eubanks, Lou Rawls and Kirk Whalum.
Your support of this legacy event will directly benefit BLAC, Inc. (Black Liberated Arts Center), a local not-for-profit organization known for presenting and producing educational arts programs and preserving African American history in Oklahoma City. BLAC, Inc. Mission: To use the vehicle of fine arts to provide the total community of Oklahoma City with an exposure to the African-American culture with a special emphasis on educating Oklahoma’s youth, believing art and culture are engines for positive social change in our community.
For vendor information and other inquiries, call BLAC, Inc. at (405) 524-3800.
Food Vendor Application | Non-Food Vendor Application
2017 Press Release 1 | 2017 Press Release 2 | CCIMF Flyer 2017 | 2017 CCIMF Jam Session Press Release
Your support of this legacy event will directly benefit BLAC, Inc. (Black Liberated Arts Center), a local not-for-profit organization known for presenting and producing educational arts programs and preserving African American history in Oklahoma City.
Blac Inc's mission is to use the vehicle of fine arts to provide the total community of Oklahoma City an exposure to the African-American culture with a special emphasis on education Oklahoma's youth, believing art and culture are engines for positive social change in our community.