Leroy Carr, born on March 27, 1905, in Nashville, Tennessee, was a prominent American blues singer, pianist, and composer. He grew up in Indianapolis, where he taught himself to play piano in a distinctive, gently rocking blues style that was less complex than boogie-woogie. His smooth, urbane singing style and his poignant, personal lyrics contributed to his widespread popularity during the 1930s. Carr's musical partnership with guitarist Scrapper Blackwell was particularly noteworthy, as their work together highlighted the expressive quality of Carr's singing and the intimate melancholy of his compositions.

From 1928 to 1935, Carr and Blackwell recorded an extensive catalog of music, establishing Carr as one of the most popular blues artists of his time. His influence extended to other pianists such as Bumble Bee Slim, Peetie Wheatstraw, and Walter Davis. Many of Carr's songs, including "How Long How Long Blues," "In the Evening (When the Sun Goes Down)," "Blues Before Sunrise," and "Sloppy Drunk Blues," became standards and were covered by numerous artists long after his death. Tragically, Leroy Carr passed away on April 29, 1935, in Indianapolis, Indiana, at the age of 30 due to the effects of severe alcoholism. His contributions to blues music were recognized with his induction into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1982.