Jun 9, 2026 10:54 AM
In Memoriam: James Blood Ulmer, 1940–2026
With deep sorrow and profound love, we announce the passing of James Blood Ulmer, a boldly innovative guitarist,…
Cassandra Wilson’s new album Thunderbird(Blue Note), a collaboration with producer T-Bone Burnett, will hit stores on April 4.
“Working with T Bone took the songs into a whole other place,” Wilson said. “He guided me into the deepest recesses of the material, and that attention to detail and nuance allowed me to delve into my own innermost emotions.”
This album, influenced by the ancient and magical myth of the thunderbird, offers new combinations of musical sounds, instrumentation, styles and different covers of songs that Wilson felt she had to do. “With ‘Easy Rider,’ I had always heard the ‘C.C. Rider’ version of this song covered, but never heard anyone do the Blind Lemon version, which resonated with me,” Wilson said.
The singer, whose past albums were defined by the sparse sounds of acoustic guitars, went in a different direction with Thunderbird, utilizing keyboardist Keefus Ciancia, who also coproduced the album.
Also playing on the album are Marc Ribot, Colin Linden, Mike Elizondo, Reginald Veal, Jim Keltner, Bill Maxwell and Jay Bellerose on drums.
To the world, James Blood Ulmer was a legend, a visionary and a musical force whose sound was distinctive and unique. To his family, he was their teacher, their storyteller and a source of strength.
Jun 9, 2026 10:54 AM
With deep sorrow and profound love, we announce the passing of James Blood Ulmer, a boldly innovative guitarist,…
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