Editing Emile Christian (section)

== Biography ==
Christian was born into a musical family in the [[Bywater, New Orleans|Bywater neighborhood]] of New Orleans, most prominently his older brother [[Frank Christian (trumpeter)|Frank Christian]] was a noted cornetist and bandleader. Emile Christian played both cornet and trombone with the [[Papa Jack Laine]] bands.<ref name=AllMusic>[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/emile-christian-mn0001595804 Ron Wynn, "Emile Christian" at All Music.]</ref> He went to [[Chicago, Illinois]] in late 1917 to play trombone with the [[Bert Kelly (jazz musician)|Bert Kelly]] Jass Band. In 1918 he went to New York City to replace [[Eddie Edwards (musician)|Eddie Edwards]] in the [[Original Dixieland Jass Band]] (ODJB); he toured England with the ODJB, contributed his tune "Satanic Blues" to their repertory, and made his first recordings with this band. After a brief time in the Original Memphis Five, he returned to [[Europe]].<ref name=AllMusic /> There, from 1924 into the 1930s, he played bass and trombone<ref name=AllMusic /> with various jazz bands including those of Eric Borchard and [[Lud Gluskin]], in European cities including [[Berlin]] (where he made more recordings), [[Paris]], [[Stockholm]] (where he recorded with [[Leon Abbey]]'s band). In Paris (also in [[Nice]] and [[Aix-les-Bains]]) he played with [[Tom Waltham]]'s Ad-Libs.<ref name=Nevers>Daniel Nevers, "Tom Waltham : un anglais à Paris", Sonorités n°12, janvier 1985, p. 27-32.</ref> In 1935 he played with [[Benny Peyton]]'s Jazz Kings in Switzerland.<ref name=Rye>[http://www.doctorjazz.co.uk/draftcards2.html Howard Rye, "Emile J. Christian – WWI Draft Registration Card, 5th June 1917"], March 2007. Musicians – WWI Draft Registration Cards and Essays.</ref>

Christian played in both Black and White bands in Europe and India before returning to the United States after the outbreak of [[World War II]]. In the 1950s he moved back to New Orleans, where he played with the bands of [[Leon Prima]], [[Santo Pecora]], and [[Sharkey Bonano]] and his own band. In 1957 he toured with the [[Louis Prima]] Band. He continued playing in New Orleans into 1969, in his later years mostly playing string bass.

He died in 1973 in New Orleans,<ref name=Rye /> aged 78.