James Inkanish, Jr. (February 1, 1938 – November 1, 2008), known professionally as Jimmy Carl Black, was an original member of the Mothers of Invention, providing drums and vocals.

[1][2] He is known for introducing the songs “Are you Hung Up?” and “Concentration Moon” from the Mothers album We're Only in It for the Money saying “hi boys and girls, my name is Jimmy Carl Black and I’m the Indian of the Group.” Born in El Paso, Texas, Black was Cheyenne, both his father James Inkanish Sr. and his mother Jennie Inkanish (née Dorris) were citizens of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes.

[1][3] Black appeared in the movie directed by Frank Zappa, 200 Motels, and sings the song "Lonesome Cowboy Burt".

[1] Black toured around Europe with the Muffin Men between 1993 and 2007 playing hundreds of gigs, and appearing on many of the band's CDs and DVDs.

At Steely Dan's 2001 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, Walter Becker asked the assembled if they remembered who the original Mothers of Invention drummer was.

Becker unsuccessfully lobbied the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for Black's inclusion as a founding member of The Mothers of Invention.

The main body of text was transcribed from tapes recorded by Roddie Gilliard in the Muffin Men tour bus during 1995-1998.