Three decades ago, a book began to take shape that today is presented as a tribute to a blues legend: BB King. The work, titled "The King is Gone," brings together dozens of photographs of the King of Blues taken by Jota Moreno Martínez during his visits to Argentina between 1992 and 2010. Additionally, it includes a biography of the musician and a selection of his most famous quotes compiled by Ailín Moreno Martínez, the author's daughter.
Jota Moreno Martínez shared that the inspiration for this project arose when, at the age of fourteen, he came across a record store in downtown Buenos Aires and purchased a blues LP that would change his life. Years later, he had the opportunity to meet BB King in person during one of his performances in the country. The meeting was memorable: the musician was humble and grateful, gestures that left a profound impression on the author.
The book is more than just a simple collection of images. Moreno Martínez describes it as the culmination of two lives intertwined through the lens of a camera: that of the artist and that of the photographer. The deluxe edition of the book features a hardcover, fabric binding, and illustration paper. Its texts are available in Spanish and English and include two different covers for the buyer to choose from.
The presentation of "The King is Gone" will take place next Wednesday, November 27, at Thelonius Club, located in Palermo. During the event, in addition to learning about the stories behind the photos, attendees will be able to enjoy live music by the talented guitarist Juanma Torres. Moreno Martínez detailed the process of selecting photographs and creating the two covers for the book on his social media.
The author recounted how, in his adolescence, he was introduced to the world of blues through magazines of the time and an LP with songs by the masters of English blues. This discovery led him to explore the music of artists like Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and eventually, BB King. With a mix of admiration and respect, Jota Moreno Martínez has created a unique tribute to one of the great references of blues, captured in the pages of "The King is Gone."
