Jazz guitarist James "Blood" Almer died at the age of 87.

American jazz guitarist, singer and songwriter James "Blood" Ulmer has died at the age of 86. This was reported on June 8 on the website of the National Public Radio of the USA (NPR).

"According to NPR, the musician died in a rehabilitation center in New York. The cause of death is not specified," the publication says.

Almer was considered one of the key figures of avant-garde jazz and free-funk. During his career, he released dozens of albums, and critics called him one of the most original electric guitarists of his generation.

In the early 1980s, Ulmer recorded the albums Free Lancing, Black Rock and Odyssey for Columbia Records, which brought him wide fame in the world of jazz and experimental music.