Pertti Nurmi has been heavily tied with the activities of the non-profit organization, Finnish Blues Society and its publication, the original Blues News magazine, since the early 1970s. Blues News is one of the oldest still existing journals, globally, devoted to African American music derivatives. Pertti was the editor-in-chief of Blues News during 1983-1990 and has continued to be the magazine’s principal photographer. For the past quarter century, he has also been part of the team responsible for the compilation and layout of the magazine.
Pertti started photography as youngster in 1970, soon specializing on any black Blues artists visiting and touring Finland. This is closely associated with his love for the Blues and affection in record collecting – he may have one of the largest collections of black Blues music in Finland. Pertti’s Blues photography archive covering 40+ years is unique in Finland and of high appraisal even internationally. His exhibitions have toured all major Finnish Blues festivals and have also been on display in New York and Hollywood.
Images from this collection: (L to R) Koko Taylor and Little Walter (1967); Carey Bell, Lawrence Wimberly, and Pee Wee Madison (1970)
