music
James Blood Ulmer, adventurous US guitarist and vocalist, dies aged 86
Musician who spliced jazz, funk and blues, including in a spell on a major label in the early 1980s, was celebrated as ‘fearless’ by his family
TL;DR
- James Blood Ulmer, a US guitarist known for blending jazz, blues, and funk, has died at 86.
- His music was characterized by a fearless, avant-garde approach, influenced by Ornette Coleman's 'harmolodic' theory.
- Ulmer released seminal albums such as 'Tales of Captain Black' and 'Are You Glad to Be in America?', collaborating with punk and rock bands.
- His work with Columbia Records in the early 1980s, including 'Free Lancing', was noted for its progressive nature.
- He received a Grammy nomination for 'Memphis Blood: The Sun Sessions' and appeared on Ry Cooder's film score and the Roots' album 'Phrenology'.
- Ulmer played his final concert at the 2024 Detroit jazz festival.