New Aurora Mural Commemorates City's Blues History

AURORA, IL — Five prominent blues artists are the newest residents of downtown Aurora thanks to a new large-scale Mundy Park mural.

The latest downtown Aurora artwork, which can be seen from both Broadway and Water Street, commemorates the city's blues history.

Prominent Chicago muralist Max Sansing created the artwork inspired by the Leland Bluebird Recording Sessions, which took place between 1937 and 1938 in the former Leland Hotel.

Sansing portrays Buddy Guy, Tampa Red, Koko Taylor, B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughan, titans of the Chicago and St. Louis blues scenes, in his signature hues of yellow and blue. Swirls of color reminiscent of a peacock's tail surround the artists.

During the session in Aurora, the singers recorded tracks for the Bluebird record label, known for its lost-cost releases primarily of children's music, blues, jazz and swing in the 1930s and '40s.