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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZCHRISTIAN, Jodie(b 2 February 1932, Chicago; d 13 February 2012) Pianist, a stalwart on the local scene. Both parents played piano; an uncle played alto sax (and also played Charlie Parker records). 'When I came out to play, I knew all the tunes because learning them was what we did for fun.' Despite touring with Eddie Harris '67-70, Coleman Hawkins, Roscoe Mitchell and others, Christian elected to stay based in Chicago, like tenor saxists Von Freeman and Fred Anderson, pianist John Young, drummer Wilbur Campbell and many others, a scene that is always rich (and a town that can convince you that there's no reason to leave). Christian's own first album as leader was Experience '91-2 on Delmark, with solos and four trio tracks, four of the tunes his own; he whistled on 'Blues Holiday', which is the title tune of a trio set on Steeplechase, with Eddie De Haas and Campbell. Rain Or Shine on Delmark included Mitchell and alto saxist Art Porter; meanwhile Christian played on Delmark albums by vibist Carl Leukaufe (The Warrior), bop veteran tenor saxist Lin Halliday (Delayed Exposure, East Of The Sun, Where Or When) and Unit 7 by alto saxist Mike Smith (studio wizard who led the band on Frank Sinatra's later tours) as well as Mitchell's Hello Donald '94. Christian's eclectic and rewarding Soul Fountain '94 included Mitchell and Porter; then Front Line '96 was a delight, including Sonny Cohn on trumpet, Norris Turney and Eddie Johnson on reeds, Francine Griffin's warm, easy vocal on 'Don't Get Around Much Anymore'; funky yet laid back, Chicago club music at its best. ADDENDA Another Chicago veteran, Carl Leukaufe, d 18 August 2010 aged 76.
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