Jazz history is taking center stage in Midtown Houston.
In celebration of International Jazz Day and the 100th birth anniversary of three American music icons—Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Morton Feldman—Midtown Houston is unveiling a new sign wrap installation at Bagby Park: 100 Years of Music Icons. The installation honors the enduring influence of these groundbreaking artists while transforming one of Midtown’s most recognizable public art landmarks into a bold visual tribute to musical innovation, legacy, and cultural memory. International Jazz Day is observed each year on April 30, and all three artists were born in 1926, making 2026 a centennial year for their legacies.
Created by artist Serty31 (Alexandre Serty), the wrap reimagines the iconic Midtown letters through the language of rhythm, geometry, color, and movement. Known for work that explores the intersection of urban art, graphic design, and architectural space, Serty brings a vibrant and contemporary approach to this installation—one that reflects both the improvisational spirit of jazz and Midtown’s role as a connected, culture-forward district at the heart of Houston.
With 100 Years of Music Icons, Serty transforms the Midtown sign into a public-facing tribute to three visionary figures whose influence continues to shape music, art, and contemporary culture around the world. The installation recognizes the centennial of Miles Davis, the legendary trumpeter and bandleader; John Coltrane, one of the most influential saxophonists and composers in jazz history; and Morton Feldman, the avant-garde composer known for redefining sound, structure, and musical form.
Rather than approaching the sign as a static surface, Serty uses it as a storytelling canvas—layering visual energy, abstraction, and symbolism into each letter to create a composition that feels dynamic from every angle. The result is a piece that honors musical genius while inviting visitors to experience Bagby Park as a place where art, culture, and public space come together.
Timed to coincide with International Jazz Day on April 30, the wrap also connects Midtown to a broader global celebration of jazz as a force for dialogue, creativity, and cultural exchange.
For this installation, Serty developed the design by combining geometric cubist portraiture with Art Deco architectural influences, using shape and composition to translate the rhythm and improvisational nature of jazz into visual form. His goal was to create a wrap that feels musical in its movement—structured, expressive, and full of energy.
The color palette—deep purple, gold, magenta, and warm brass tones—draws inspiration from the atmosphere of classic jazz clubs, including dim lighting, glowing stage lights, and the warmth of brass instruments. Across the full sign, a background pattern inspired by 1940s Art Deco wallpaper helps reinforce the historical context of jazz culture while giving the installation a cohesive visual texture. Each portrait was constructed using angular geometric shapes to evoke movement and improvisation, allowing every letter to contribute to one continuous story celebrating music, culture, and the city of Houston.
Each letter of MIDTOWN becomes a visual chapter, honoring the legacy of American jazz while connecting the installation back to Houston’s cultural identity.
M — Miles Davis
The composition begins with Miles Davis playing trumpet, symbolizing innovation, expression, and the improvisational spirit of jazz. His figure is oriented toward the center of the design, sending his musical energy inward toward the larger composition.
I — Vintage Microphone
A classic 1940s-style microphone evokes the atmosphere of historic jazz clubs and live performance spaces, grounding the piece in the sound and style of the era being honored.
D — Houston Skyline / Sambuca
This letter features a view of downtown Houston alongside the illuminated sign of the legendary Sambuca jazz bar, paying tribute to a venue once woven into the city’s musical nightlife and cultural memory.
T — Art Deco Houston Architecture
The Art Deco-inspired skyline continues with theatrical beams of light rising into the sky, recalling the atmosphere of grand theater premieres and classic performance venues.
O — Morton Feldman / Rothko Chapel
The portrait of Morton Feldman appears alongside a visual fragment inspired by Rothko Chapel (1971), highlighting the often unseen role of the composer and Houston’s deep connection between music and visual art.
W — John Coltrane
John Coltrane appears playing saxophone, embodying the spiritual intensity and expressive depth of jazz. Like Miles Davis, his figure is oriented toward the center of the composition, visually linking performer and composer.
N — Piano Keys
The final letter includes hands on piano keys, symbolizing harmony, accompaniment, and continuity. The QR code is integrated directly into the composition, and within the second leg of the “N,” Serty also incorporated #midtownhouston, along with a yellow square that echoes the overall palette of the piece—subtly grounding this international music tribute in Midtown itself.
Together, the letters transform the Midtown sign into a visual tribute to three legendary figures in American music while also celebrating Houston’s place within that larger cultural story.
Midtown is proud to feature Serty31 (Alexandre Serty) for this installation. A French-born visual artist, graphic designer, and creative director based in Houston, Serty’s work explores the relationship between urban art, sculpture, and architectural space. With more than three decades of experience rooted in graffiti culture, his practice has evolved into a multidisciplinary approach that includes installation, design, and public art.
Closely associated with the Graffuturism movement, Serty creates work that merges geometric abstraction, repetition, and visual rhythm to expand the language of graffiti beyond traditional walls and into immersive, environmental forms. His work is deeply informed by music, design, and urban culture—making him a natural fit for a project that honors artists whose creative influence reshaped the sound of the 20th century.
For Midtown, 100 Years of Music Icons reflects that same spirit of reinvention. It turns a familiar landmark into a vibrant cultural moment—one that invites both reflection and discovery in the middle of the district.
We invite you to experience 100 Years of Music Icons at Bagby Park and take in this tribute to three legendary artists whose work continues to influence generations.
Whether you stop by for a quick photo, a closer look at the details in each letter, or a moment to reflect on the legacy of jazz and experimental music, this installation offers a vibrant new way to experience public art in Midtown during International Jazz Day season.
Visit Bagby Park (415 Gray St., Houston, TX 77002) to see the wrap in person.
