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Jodie Christian

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Jodie Christian was an American jazz pianist, known for bebop and free jazz. He was born in Chicago in 1932. His father came from Little Rock, Arkansas, from a family of sharecroppers. His grandfather sold his livestock and sent the family to Chicago to escape that life. Christian attended Wendell Phillips High School.

Music and breakthrough

In Chicago he was one of the founders of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians, the AACM, together with pianist Muhal Richard Abrams, drummer Steve McCall and composer Phil Cohran. With Abrams he also played in the Experimental Band. The AACM became an important collective for innovative Black music from the city. Christian worked at the club Jazz Showcase in Chicago and played with Eddie Harris, Stan Getz, Dexter Gordon, Gene Ammons, Roscoe Mitchell, Buddy Montgomery, Judy Roberts and John Klemmer.

Influence

As a bandleader he made a number of albums, including Blues Holiday, Rain or Shine, Front Line and, in the 1990s, Soul Fountain. He died in Chicago in 2012, at the age of eighty. His importance lies in his role as a link between bebop and the experimental jazz of his city. He played with the old guard and at the same time helped build the new form.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to an album by Jodie Christian such as Front Line and notice how, in a blues or bebop piece, he leaves room in his solo for free, unexpected turns.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

Categories: Artists