Ian Carr was born on April 21, 1933 in Dumfries, Scotland. At the age of seventeen he started to teach himself trumpet and from 1952 to 1956 he attended King's College. After graduation he joined his brother in a Newcastle band, the EmCee Five in 1960 before moving to London. From 1963-1969 he became co-leader with Don Rendell of the Rendell–Carr Quintet, recording five albums and touring internationally.

After leaving the quintet, Carr went on to form the groundbreaking jazz-rock band Nucleus that led to a successful international career, releasing twelve albums and winning…