Edward H. Tarr is a native of Connecticut (USA) and a pupil of two of the most respected orchestral trumpeters: Roger Voisin and Adolph Herseth (Boston and Chicago Symphony Orchestras).

His interest in the—at that time—more obscure reaches of the trumpet repertoire led Tarr to start researching whilst studying in the USA, and he continued and intensified his research after moving to Europe in 1959 to study musicology: (University of Basel with Professor Leo Schrade; PhD degree from University of Hamburg, 1986.)

Edward H. Tarr is a pioneer in the reintroduction of historical brass instruments, and has made countless recordings and performances on natural trumpet and cornett, whilst not neglecting the modern instrument. He has toured the world, has been adviser to several musical instrument manufacturers (R. Egger in Basel and Yamaha) and has produced scholarly editions of the most important trumpet concerti.

Activities in the world of musical education included teaching historical trumpet and cornett at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis (from where he retired in 2001) and modern trumpet at the Basel Conservatory, as well as guest professorships and masterclasses in Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Melbourne, Sydney, Stanford, Los Angeles, Tallahassee, Lucerne, and Vaduz. He is also a much sought-after juror at major international competitions.

Dr Tarr has been director of the Bad Saeckingen Trumpet Museum since its inception in 1985. He founded the Edward Tarr Brass Ensemble in 1969 (in formations from 5 to 15 musicians) and The Duo (with Irmtraud Krueger, organ) in 1980.

For Naxos, Edward Tarr conducted the Wasa Baroque Ensemble and soloists on Volume 5 of the Art of Baroque Trumpet (Naxos 8.555099), devoted to Italian composers.