R.I.P. Ian Carr

by Joe Schwab

I hate to be one of those blogs that dwells on musicians deaths. The recent passing of Fathead Newman, Hank Crawford, Blossom Dearie, Louis Bellson etc. are well documented. But sometimes certain deaths slip through cracks. On February 25th, the jazz world lost British trumpet giant Ian Carr. Carr covered the boundaries of everything from hard bop to fusion in his career. His long association with Don Rendell produced some of the finest Jazz of the 60's, often rivaling much of the Blue Note output of the time as far as beauty and inspiration goes. His later 70's work with his fusion band Nucleus was often neglected, but just as edgy and interesting as the bigger sellers of the era.

In another career altogether Ian Carr was prolific biographer and historian of jazz. His Miles Davis biography is still considered one of the definitive books on the Dark Prince. He's also documented the life and times of Keith Jarrett and the entire British jazz scene.

Obviously Carr's death is of more relevance in his home country, but over the past few years U.S. jazz fans have begun to recognize his contribution as a musician. His original recordings with Rendell regularly reach four figures on eBay, and for good reason. Not only are these records scarce, but they are also filled with innovative, beautiful playing.

Below is a sample of Rendell and Carr performing "Blue Mosque":

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