While in Los Angeles, Derf’s musical endeavors continued to soar. He performed throughout Europe with jazz musician Eddie Harris. He toured around Canada with rock musician Burton Cummings. His command of his craft took him to South Africa’s Joy of Jazz Festival playing alongside jazz singer Dwight Trible.
Photographer Bruce Talamon saw it all during the golden age of soul, R&B, and funk. Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, he found himself backstage with an all-access pass to the heart of the music scene, photographing icons such as James Brown, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Rick James, Parliament-Funkadelic, Gil Scott-Heron, Aretha Franklin, the Jackson Five, Isaac Hayes, Chaka Khan, Al Green, Barry White, and Donna Summer. He is joined by one of his favorite subjects, bassist Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire.