The largest mural in Ohio pays homage to some of the Cincy Region's musical local legends and pioneers

 

In 2022, as part of BLINK (a massive, immersive art and light festival that takes place every two years), LA-based artist Tristan Eaton crafted what has become the biggest mural in Ohio. Located in downtown Cincinnati on the 84.51 building and across from the Duke Energy Convention Center, the 18,000-square feet mural features 10 different boldly colored panel profiles of locally grown musicians: Mamie Smith, Gloria Jones, H-Bomb Ferguson, the Isley Brothers, Phillip Paul, George Russell, James Brown, Doris Day, Marty Balin, and Bootsy Collins.

 

*Note: due to a massive renovation project currently underway at the Duke Energy Convention Center, the mural is located on an active construction site. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting development!

 

Large, colorful mural in downtown Cincinnati
The vibrant mural is centrally located in the heart of downtown Cincinnati (photo: Ross Czarnik)
A close-up shot of the vibrant Tristan Eaton mural in downtown Cincinnati
This massive and colorful mural depicts Mamie Smith, Gloria Jones, H-Bomb Ferguson, the Isley Brothers, Phillip Paul, George Russell, James Brown, Doris Day, Marty Balin, and Bootsy Collins (photo: Visit Cincy)

Many people don’t realize the impact Cincinnati music has had on the global music scene. For instance, Cincinnati native jazz composer George Russell helped pioneer music theory. Phillip Paul, a studio drummer for King Records, grew up in NYC but moved to Cincinnati to play in a band. While living here, he fell under the auspices of Syd Nathan, owner of King Records. Paul had a prolific career: He played drums on more than 350 recordings, was honored at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and well into his 90s he played around town. Like Paul, James Brown also worked for King Records. Known as Mr. Dynamite, Brown already has his own mural on Main Street in Over-the-Rhine. H-Bomb Ferguson was another Cincy transplant. He moved from South Carolina to Cincy in order to work for King Records. He’s known for his jump blues style, which helped usher in the rock and roll sound of the 1950s. Singer/actress Doris Day is probably one of the more recognizable faces on the mural. Born in Cincy, Day’s first hit was in 1945 with the song “Sentimental Journey.” She starred in several films, received an Oscar nomination, and hosted her own talk show.

 

Mr. Dynamite: James Brown Mural on the North side of downtown Cincinnati
Another mural in Cincinnati, this one located in Over-the-Rhine, pays homage to James Brown, "Mr. Dynamite", himself! (photo: Visit Cincy)

Of all the musicians on the mural born in Cincy, Grammy winners and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members the Isley Brothers are the best-selling group. In the 1950s and ‘60s, the soul/funk trio had hits with “Shout,” “Twist and Shout” and “It’s Your Thing.” Marty Balin, a guitarist and bassist who founded San Francisco psych-rock band Jefferson Airplane and spin-off group Jefferson Starship, was born here, too.

 

Cincy’s musical history encompasses all genres, including funk, which flourished in this region. In the 1970s, Bootsy Collins was a member of James Brown’s backing band. Later on, he joined George Clinton’s Parliament-Funkadelic group and founded Bootsy’s Rubber Band act. Collins still lives in Cincy and not only was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, but also Cincinnati’s Black Music Hall of Fame.

 

Bootsy Collins on the red carpet at the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame
Cincinnati-born funk legend Bootsy Collins and his wife, Patti, walking the red carpet at the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame (photo: Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame)

Born in Cincinnati, singer/songwriter Gloria Jones sang on the ‘60s hit “Tainted Love,” in which Soft Cell made famous with their ‘80s cover. She wrote songs for Motown, and became so popular in Northern England that they anointed with the title The Queen of Northern Soul.

 

The mural doesn’t just focus on modern musicians. In the late 1800s, vaudeville singer Mamie Smith was born in Cincinnati. She had a few jazz and blues hits, and in 1920 she became the first Black artist to make a vocal blues recording.

 

Cincinnati might be best known for inventing Cincinnati-style chili, but it should also be known for birthing and inspiring a plethora of musicians who enriched and changed the landscape of music history. Thankfully, the mural’s scope accomplishes that.

 

To continue learning about the role Cincinnati has played in music history, be sure to visit the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame, an interactive (and free!) exhibit that pays homage to many of the region's local legends. 

 

Black Music Walk of Fame
The entrance to the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame (photo: Morgan Angelique Owens)

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