Bonham -- For the first time ever, a live performance of the music of Charlie Christian will be offered in Bonham, Texas, the town where the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame jazz guitarist was born slightly less than 96 years ago.

Charles Henry "Charlie" Christian was born July 29, 1916 in a section of Bonham known as Tanktown and died of tuberculosis March 2, 1942 in New York City. Even his untimely passing at the age of 25 couldn't prevent Christian from profoundly influencing jazz and defining the role of electric guitar in all genres of music. Christian is credited as major influence in the development of cool jazz and bebop.

In 1939, Charlie Christian's ability earned him a spot on the Benny Goodman Sextet, along with Lionel Hampton, Artie Bernstein, Nick Fatool and Fletcher Henderson.  Goodman decided he wanted a different line-up in 1940 and Christian was the only member of the sextet to be retained. Count Basie, Cootie Williams, Georgie Auld and Dave Tough joined Christian and Goodman in a revised sextet that dominated the jazz scene in the early 1940s.

To celebrate the genius of Charlie Christian, Creative Arts Center in Bonham has planned an evening of live jazz music, food and fun Thursday, May 10, beginning at 7:00 p.m.

The jazz combo will feature James Dering, chair of the music department at Grayson College, and a select group of accomplished musicians from across Texas.

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of an historic occasion as Bonham pays tribute to a brilliant, innovative musician who was interred just over 70 years ago in Gates Hill Cemetery in south Bonham.

Tickets $10 and available at Creative Arts Center in Bonham.  Call 903-640-2196 or email barbaralreeves@cableone.net to reserve your ticket.