Gary Michael Karr was an American classical double bass virtuoso and academic teacher. In the 1960s he pioneered the use of the double bass as a solo instrument and new compositions were written for it. The Times said he was to the double bass "what Segovia was to the classical guitar". His playing was described as singing "with all the richness of the cello, the warmth of the viola and the agility of the violin". He performed with orchestras worldwide and founded the International Society of Bassists in 1976.