Luis Olazábal
Based in Miami Beach, Luis Olazabal’s photographic oeuvre is a vivid
documentation of the burgeoning music and arts scene in South Florida. He
captures the grace and verve of live music performance by some of the most
accomplished artists of our time, including jazz masters Charlie Haden,
Wayne Shorter, Elvin Jones, Michael Brecker, Brazilian superstars Caetano
Veloso, Marisa Monte, Lenine, Seu Jorge, and pop/world music icons David
Byrne, Gotan Project, Amadou and Mariam, and Jorge Drexler, among others.
His photos of dance, theatre and performance art span the range of soloists
in small, avant-garde venues and rehearsal spaces to full productions in
theatres, performing arts centers and festivals.
Originally from Huaraz, Peru, Olazabal’s knowledge and passion for music
informs his intuitive approach to his subject. It was his involvement in the
expressive power of music that first compelled him to pick up a camera. His
dedication to his craft is evident in each image he extracts from the
phenomenon of a live performance, in color or in black and white.
Each photograph records a moment of absorption, of an artist being
transported by the intense communion he or she shares with his or her
instrument, body, supporting musicians, cast, and the audience. These
moments are transformed into two-dimensional compositions which embody that
original excitement, and convey the soul of the performer.
Olazabal’s work has been published in Miami Living, Miami New Times, LOFT,
El Sentinel, Florida International Magazine, The Miami Herald, and Dance
Magazine. His clients include JVC Jazz Festival, Sony-BMG Music, Subtropics
Experimental Music and Sound Arts Festival, Miami Light Project, Tigertail
Productions and performing, visual, and sound artists Helena Thevenot, IPO,
Michelle Weinberg, Gustavo Matamoros He is the official photographer of The
Rhythm Foundation, a non-profit organization in Miami dedicated to
presenting cutting edge musical acts from around the world.
- M. Weinberg
Previous photographers of the month: Daniel Ochoa , Carlos Ochoa , Marcia Alvarez