How long how long blues – Free Jazz Lead Sheet
C Major – Leroy Carr 1928
How Long How Long Blues by Leroy Carr (1928) is a jazz blues standard in C Major. Built on a classic twelve-bar blues structure, it provides a solid foundation for improvisation and expressive phrasing. Leroy Carr was a pianist and vocalist whose influence shaped the sound of the era.
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Composed by Leroy Carr and published in 1928, "how long how long blues" is a seminal blues piece that blends narrative storytelling with expressive melody. The lyrics express longing and personal struggle, central themes in the blues tradition.
The first recording, made by Leroy Carr with Scrapper Blackwell on guitar in Chicago, 1928, features a relaxed, conversational vocal over steady blues guitar, establishing a model for future urban blues performances.
The song has been revisited by countless blues and jazz musicians, notable for its 12-bar blues structure and smooth melodic phrasing, making it an enduring example of early blues sophistication.
About the composer: Leroy Carr
Leroy Carr (1904–1935) was an American blues singer, songwriter, and pianist whose influential music shaped 20th-century popular music. His most notable works include "Papa's on the House Top" and "Hurry Down Sunshine," which highlight his unique blend of blues and swing.
