American guitarist James Blood Ulmer, celebrated for his avant-garde fusion of jazz, funk, and blues, died on June 3, 2026, at the age of 86.
The Guardian reported the news, and his family confirmed it via social media.
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Born Willie James Ulmer in 1940 in South Carolina, he began his career in funk bands in Pittsburgh, Columbus, and Detroit.
He backed artists like Jewel Bryner and Hank Marr before moving to New York in the early 1970s.
In New York, Ulmer performed with jazz greats Art Blakey, Joe Henderson, and Rashied Ali.
He studied under Ornette Coleman, who introduced him to "harmolodic" theory and co-produced his debut album, Tales of Captain Black.
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His breakthrough album, Are You Glad to Be in America? , was released on Rough Trade.
Ulmer later signed with Columbia Records, releasing three progressive albums between 1981 and 1983. Free Lancing earned him praise from Rolling Stone as a highly original electric guitarist.
He founded the Music Revelation Ensemble and Phalanx, and shifted toward blues in the 1990s and 2000s.
His 2001 album Memphis Blood: The Sun Sessions earned a Grammy nomination for best traditional blues album.
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Ulmer retired in 2024 after a final performance at the Detroit jazz festival. His family's statement called his music fearless and his spirit unmatched.
