Leroy Carr (March 27, 1904[1] or 1905 – April 29, 1935)[2] was an American blues singer, songwriter and pianist who developed a laid-back, crooning technique and whose popularity and style influenced such artists as Nat King Cole and Ray Charles.

Music historian Elijah Wald has called him "the most influential male blues singer and songwriter of the first half of the 20th century".

[7] His parents were John Carr, a laborer at Vanderbilt University, and Katie Lytle, a domestic worker.

[5] His light bluesy piano combined with Blackwell's melodic jazz guitar attracted a sophisticated black audience.

Rather than Smith's vaudeville jazz combos or Jefferson's idiosyncratic country picking, Carr sang over the solid beat of his piano and the biting guitar of his constant partner Francis (Scrapper) Blackwell.

[15] Carr's music has been recorded by a long list of artists, including Robert Johnson, Ray Charles, Big Bill Broonzy, Moon Mullican, Champion Jack Dupree, Lonnie Donegan, Long John Baldry, Memphis Slim, Barrelhouse Chuck and Eric Clapton.