09/03/2026
Buddy Guy, 1981. Bumpershoot Music Festival, Seattle.
Jimmy Velarde shot this the same year he started touring as stage support for Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Koko Taylor, and Big Mama Thornton β camera always on him, even when it wasn't the job. That's basically the whole story of his career. Trust first, camera second.
He's a 12-time Emmy winner now, Grammy-nominated, been shooting for CBS Television City since '89. But this shot is where it started β black-and-white, unposed, shot on instinct because that's the only way he ever knew how to work.
"My images were spontaneous. I was living inside the music."
Jimmy Velarde is exhibiting at the 12th Annual Arts Pavilion, Bay [ #], part of the 31st Central Avenue Jazz Festival β Saturday, September 19, free admission, 42nd & Central.
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