Leroy Carr was an influential American blues singer, songwriter and pianist whose work has become a cornerstone in the foundation of modern blues and early rhythm and blues. Born on March 27, 1905, in Nashville, Tennessee, Carr moved to Indianapolis as a child. It was there that he developed a distinctive style characterized by a smooth vocal delivery and an equally smooth piano accompaniment. He teamed up with guitarist Scrapper Blackwell, and together they forged a successful musical partnership. Their recordings from the late 1920s and early 1930s represent some of the most important and pioneering blues work of the era.

Carr's best-known song, "How Long How Long Blues," recorded in 1928, became a huge hit and is often credited as one of the first blues standards, covered by countless artists over the years. His music reached a broad audience, influencing not just blues but also other genres. Leroy Carr's life and career were tragically cut short by acute alcohol poisoning, leading to his untimely death on April 29, 1935. Despite his brief career, Carr's smooth, urban style of playing and his partnership with Blackwell significantly impacted the trajectory of the blues and American music, and his recordings continue to be revered by blues enthusiasts and musicians today.

Genres

Acoustic Blues

Barrelhouse Piano

Blues

Piano Blues

Traditional Blues

Latest Release

Another Side of Leroy Carr

Leroy Carr

Album - 10 Tracks - Released August 3, 2023