The Photography of Luis Olazabal

Photographer Luis Olazabal (1969-2020­) used his camera to capture the history of Miami’s multi-cultural life with photos of musical legends, dazzling performing artists, and underground art movements.

His catalogue includes photos of classic and contemporary musicians like Afro-Cuban jazz arranger and bandleader Bebo Valdés, Brazilian singer and songwriter Gilberto Gil, Talking Heads front man David Byrne, jazz-fusion ensemble Snarky Puppy and many more.

In what would’ve been his 54th birthday, his legacy will be revived with two back-to-back exhibits that will display his work.

The celebration starts at the North Beach Bandshell Social, a free event presented by the Rhythm Foundation, on Thursday, April 20th. Luis’s photography will be projected on a 10’x50’ wall from 6:30pm-8:30pm followed by a performance by local electro-duo AfroBeta from 8:30pm-10:30pm.

Friday, April 21st, Luis’s printed photography will appear at the exhibit Mementos from the Aperture of Luis Olazabal at the WDNA Jazz Gallery beginning at 7pm, free admission. Mementos will explore the artistic evolution of Luis’s photography and offer his perspective on the vast cultural spectrum of Miami.

Born in Lima, Peru Luis came to Miami in 1985 just as Miami’s cultural movement was erupting. In a chance encounter with Herman Leonard’s Black and White photography on Lincoln Road, Luis found his calling. He adopted the camera and began taking photos of local art events like Subtropics festival and Fluxus Day. As his presence grew, he attracted the attention of clients such as Miami-Nice Jazz Festival, the Miami International Jazz Festival, the JVC Jazz festival, and Sony-BMG Music.

He developed a close relationship with the Rhythm Foundation, a non-profit that brings world music to Miami, and became their principal photographer in 2004. “In a way, the Rhythm Foundation’s history begins when we met Luis – as his photographs create an artistic record of live memories,” said Laura Quinlan, Rhythm Foundation program director. With the Rhythm Foundation working on enriching the community with events like the Transatlantic Festival and Big Night in Little Haiti, Luis used his camera to capture the growth of Miami’s cultural scene.

The North Beach Bandshell Social and Mementos will mark the first time his work will appear to the public since his passing.

What: North Beach Bandshell Social
When: April 20th at 6:30pm
Where: North Beach Bandshell 7275 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL, 33141
Tickets: Free

What: Mementos from the Aperture of Luis Olazabal
When: April 21st at 7pm
Where: WDNA Jazz Gallery 2921 Coral Way, Miami, FL 33145
Tickets: Free