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Gary Karr: 1941–2025

2025-08-15T09:03:00

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The great and influential US double bassist died in July. His former student David Murray, now bass professor at the Butler School of Music, looks back at ‘a legend, artist, teacher and friend’

Gary Karr died on 16 July 2025 following a brain aneurysm and a short battle with inoperable cancer. He has left a legacy unlike any other bassist in history. 

Gary was born in Los Angeles, California, on 20 November 1941. Several of his family members, including his grandfather, were bassists and the family had moved to Los Angeles because of the numerous movie studio orchestras…

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