Toots Thielemans Mural

Beneath a giant harmonica, we stand before the Toots Thielemans Mural. This isn’t just any mural. It’s a tribute to a Brussels-born legend, Jean-Baptiste “Toots” Thielemans, a maestro of the chromatic harmonica. The Toots Thielemans Mural, a massive, seven-meter-tall stainless steel sculpture, captures the very essence of the instrument that Toots elevated to new heights. Commissioned by the Brussels transit company, Stib, the mural was originally intended for a building facade on Boulevard du Midi. However, fate had other plans for the Toots Thielemans Mural. Its sheer size, coupled with concerns about its stability, led to the city denying permission for its initial placement. The harmonica, weighing a hefty 400 kilos, might have been a bit too much of a good thing hanging high above the city streets. Undeterred, Stib found a new home for the artwork at the Lemonnier station. The Toots Thielemans Mural now stands proudly near the station entrance. It serves as a meeting place, a testament to Toots’ enduring legacy. Benches invite passersby to pause and reflect, bathed in the warm glow of the mural’s lighting. The Toots Thielemans Mural, a larger-than-life homage to a remarkable musician, now serenades the neighborhood with its silent melody. It’s a reminder of the power of music and the enduring spirit of a Brussels icon.