James "Blood" Ulmer (born February 8, 1940)[2] is an American jazz, free funk and blues guitarist and singer.

After moving to New York in 1971, Ulmer played with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, Joe Henderson, Paul Bley, Rashied Ali, and Larry Young.

His appearance on Arthur Blythe's two consecutive Columbia albums, Lenox Avenue Breakdown (1979) and Illusions (1980), was followed by Ulmer's signing to that label.

[5] Later versions of the band included Arthur Blythe, Sam Rivers, Pharoah Sanders, and John Zorn.

In spring 2011, he joined James Carter's organ trio as a special guest with Nicholas Payton on trumpet for a six-night stand of performances at Blue Note New York.