Bojo’s Bar and Grill, an iconic local establishment in Winslow known for serving up quality Mexican-American food along Route 66, has recently commissioned a striking new mural celebrating the life and achievements of local blues legend Tommy Dukes. The mural adorns the back of the building, further solidifying Bojo’s reputation as a champion for the talent and excellence of people in their community.
Jorge Olivas, the talented artist responsible for the mural, used to work for Bojo’s but had moved to Colorado recently with his wife. He reached out to Bojo’s Bar and Grill owner John Jacobs when he was in town for a couple of weeks. Jacobs, who has featured art from local artists for decades on his building, agreed to provide the space for the mural, stating, “He asked if I had any work for him because he was going to be in town for a couple weeks and I told him I had space on the building for some artwork. So, I bought the paint, paid him and asked him what he wanted to paint and he said ‘my neighbor, Tommy Dukes’ and I said sounds great.” Jacobs later joked, “You know, I did the hard part of the mural, I painted the grid he worked on top of.” The mural was made almost exclusively in spray paint with some of the more intricate portions using a brush for the finer details, like many of the paintings on the restaurant’s walls.
The finished mural not only pays homage to Dukes’ illustrious career in the music industry but also contributes to the vibrant artistic landscape of downtown Winslow. Bojo’s building has featured local artwork since John Jacobs purchased it in 1996, including the iconic “Welcome to Winslow” sign that greets travelers as they journey through the city on Route 66.
Tommy Dukes, who was born in Mississippi and moved to Winslow in 1954, began his music career at the age of 15, playing with the Blue Flames at the Pinetop Buffet. Over the years, Dukes has performed at various venues across Northern Arizona and Phoenix, gaining a devoted fan base in each city. Known for his original material, R&B, and traditional blues covers, Dukes released his first CD, “Tommy Dukes, Keeping the Blues Alive,” in 1996. In 1997, he was the first Northern Arizona musician to be inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame.
Upon learning about the mural, Dukes expressed gratitude and appreciation for the recognition. “You know, I found out about the mural from a friend who came up to me and said he liked the mural they made of me downtown; apparently, they didn’t want to tell me about it until it was finished,” said Dukes. He went on to praise the collaboration, stating, “It’s a great thing, man. It gets his [Olivas’] name out there and it gets my name out there too, so it’s a great thing.”
As a testament to his enduring popularity, Tommy Dukes was the dedicatee of last year’s Standin’ On The Corner Festival in Winslow. The festival celebrated the hometown blues hero with a special brick placed as part of a memorial at the Standin’ On the Corner Park.
The Tommy Dukes mural is a striking addition to Winslow’s vibrant artistic scene, capturing the spirit of a local legend and showcasing the talents of artist Jorge Olivas. This collaboration between Dukes, Olivas, and Bojo’s Bar and Grill owner John Jacobs exemplifies the power of community and art in celebrating local history and culture.
