Blues guitarist and vocalist James Blood Ulmer (pictured) a 63-year-old South Carolina native who first picked up a guitar at age 4, celebrates his new stripped-down disc, “Birthright,” at the Jazz Standard (117 E. 27th St.; [212] 576-2232) as part of its “Voices and Songs” series on Monday at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. The songs on his new disc, which has drawn comparisons to blues legend Robert Johnson’s work, reflect Ulmer’s life experiences – with, for example,

songs about his grandfather (“Geechee Joe”), the Baptist church (“Take My Music Back to the Church”) and racism (“White Man’s Jail”). His delicate combo of haunting blues guitar and rich vocals – there’s no band – will shake your soul. Tickets are $20.