Leroy Carr

Biography

Leroy Carr was born on March 27, 1905, in Nashville, Tennessee, to John Carr, a laborer at Vanderbilt University, and Katie Lytle, a domestic worker. After his parents separated, he moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, with his mother, where he became a self-taught pianist. Carr's early life included stints in a traveling circus, the U.S. Army, and jail, and he honed his skills playing at local rent parties and in African American clubs in 'Naptown,' developing a sophisticated, urban-influenced piano and vocal style amid the city's burgeoning blues scene.[1][2][5]

In the 1920s, Carr formed a longtime partnership with guitarist Scrapper Blackwell, whose melodic jazz guitar complemented Carr's light bluesy piano and laid-back crooning technique. They recorded for Vocalion Records starting in 1928, with their debut hit 'How Long, How Long Blues' propelling them to national stardom. Carr's music blended soulful poetry, wry humor, and a lilting swing that shifted to driving boogie-woogie, creating a hip, urban club style that attracted a sophisticated black audience. Prolific between 1928 and 1935, he produced hits like 'When the Sun Goes Down,' 'Blues Before Sunrise,' and 'Midnight Hour Blues,' later signing with Victor's Bluebird imprint.[1][2][6]

Plagued by severe alcohol addiction and a bootlegging operation, Carr's career ended abruptly. His final session on February 25, 1935, in Chicago saw Blackwell storm out, leaving Carr to record 'Six Cold Feet in the Ground' solo. He died on April 29, 1935, at age 30 from nephritis, likely related to alcoholism, and was buried in Floral Park Cemetery in Indianapolis. Inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1982, Carr's urban sophistication influenced blues and beyond.[1][2][6]

Fun Facts

• Carr ran a modest bootlegging operation in Indianapolis, tying into his severe alcohol addiction that contributed to his early death.
• During his final 1935 recording session, partner Scrapper Blackwell stormed out due to Carr's temperamental behavior, leaving him to record 'Six Cold Feet in the Ground' solo.
• Music historian Elijah Wald called Carr 'the most influential male blues singer and songwriter of the first half of the 20th century,' despite him not fitting the rural blues stereotype.
• After Carr's death, Scrapper Blackwell wrote 'My Old Pal Blues' as a tribute, and other musicians penned similar laments highlighting his wide impact.

Associated Acts

• Pinewood Tom and His Blue Hounds

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Slick Jimmy Collins - Local piano blues pioneer in Indianapolis who helped pave the way for Carr's style (N/A) [1910s-1920s]
• Tom Harding - Influential piano player in Indy's African American clubs (N/A) [1910s-1920s]
• Phil Harding - Influential piano player in Indy's African American clubs (N/A) [1910s-1920s]

Key Collaborators

• Scrapper Blackwell - Longtime guitar partner; duo defined piano-guitar blues format ('How Long, How Long Blues' (1928), 'When the Sun Goes Down' (1931), numerous Vocalion and Bluebird sessions) [1928-1935]

Artists Influenced

• Robert Johnson - Adopted Carr's style, substance, professionalism, and image in Delta blues (Recordings reflecting urban sophistication (1936-1937)) [1930s]
• Ray Charles - Influenced by Carr's laid-back crooning vocal technique (Covered Carr's songs; overall style) [1950s onward]
• T-Bone Walker - Vocal style moved toward urban sophistication (Blues recordings) [1940s-1950s]
• Charles Brown - Influenced by vocal sophistication (Piano blues recordings) [1940s-1950s]
• Amos Milburn - Influenced by vocal style (Recordings) [1940s-1950s]
• Jimmy Witherspoon - Influenced by vocal style (Blues recordings) [1940s-1950s]
• Count Basie - Piano style influence; recorded Carr's songs (Band recordings with Jimmy Rushing) [1930s-1940s]
• Eric Clapton - Recorded Carr's music (Covers of Carr songs) [1960s onward]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. How Long, How Long Blues (The Essential Leroy Carr)
2. Papa's on the House Top (The Essential Leroy Carr)
3. When The Sun Goes Down (Let's Disagree)
4. Let's Disagree (Let's Disagree)
5. Suicide Blues (The Essential Leroy Carr)
6. Papa's on the House Top
7. Papa's on the House Top (Rocky Luck Blues)
8. Six Cold Feet of Ground (The Essential Leroy Carr)
9. When The Sun Goes Down (Leroy Carr Vol. 6 (1934-1935))
10. Blues Before Sunrise (Waiter, Ask the Man to Play the Blues)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #blues, #piano-blues