Last week, graffiti artist Brandan “B-Mike” Odums (most renowned for his towering “ExhibitBE” masterpiece in Algiers) completed a two-story mural at the corner of North Claiborne and Governor Nicholls memorializing Travis “Trumpet Black” Hill.

The young trumpet player passed away on May 4th in Tokyo from a rapidly-spreading infection contracted before his departure, leaving family, friends, and fans around the world shocked and saddened. He was 28.

After two weeks of musical tributes, second lines, and artistic renderings like Odum’s mural done in Hill’s honor, his remains were finally returned to the US two days ago. Services have been scheduled for this weekend.

Bright, striking, larger-than-life, and celebratory, the mural is a particularly apt representation of the charismatic performer.

As Hill’s cousin James Andrews put it in a telephone conversation last week, “Travis was always lively, always respectful to people, always just had that glow that lit up the room when he walked in, talkin’ with people. People enjoyed being around him. And he had that smile that light up a room. That billion dollar smile.”

Based on a photo by Gus Bennett and incorporating the newly-designed Trumpet Black logo, Odums’ artwork conveys that smile and spirit loud and clear.

Stop by and take a look if you’re in the area.