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,…
To honor 50 years of its Jazzmaster electric guitar, Fender will host a 50th Anniversary Jazzmaster Concert at the Knitting Factory on Friday, Sept. 12. The event will include performances by Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr., Nels Cline of Wilco and Tom Verlaine of Television, among others. The event will feature Fender guitar displays and graphics, videos and a Jazzmaster guitar giveaway.
Introduced by Fender in 1958, the Jazzmaster guitar was created as a high-end alternative to the Telecaster and Stratocaster guitars, later used by bands like Television and Sonic Youth.
“This is an important event because the Jazzmaster has always lived in the looming shadows of the Stratocaster and Telecaster guitars,” said Justin Norvell, Fender marketing director for electric guitars. “But under the radar, it became an underground icon in its own right and more than worthy of its own time in the spotlight. The artists who played it then and play it now are some of the musical prime movers who’ve kept the guitar relevant and have pushed it forward sonically.”
More info: fender.com/jazzmaster50th, ny.knittingfactory.com.
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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