History
Jon Batiste: A Musical Force
Jon Batiste, born November 11, 1986, is a celebrated American musician, bandleader, and television personality. His extensive career has seen him collaborate with a diverse array of musical legends, including Stevie Wonder, Prince, Willie Nelson, Lenny Kravitz, Ed Sheeran, and Mavis Staples. Since 2005, Batiste has consistently released recordings and performed in over 40 countries. He is widely recognized for his role as bandleader and musical director on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," where he performs nightly with his band, Stay Human. Beyond his television work, Batiste holds significant positions as the Music Director of The Atlantic and the Creative Director of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem.
Early Life and Musical Roots
Born in Kenner, Louisiana, Jon Batiste hails from a distinguished musical lineage, with relatives like Lionel Batiste and Harold Battiste. His musical journey began at the age of 8, playing percussion and drums with his family's ensemble, the Batiste Brothers Band. At 11, he transitioned to the piano, guided by his mother. Batiste honed his piano skills through classical training and by transcribing music from video games such as "Street Fighter Alpha," "Final Fantasy VII," and "Sonic the Hedgehog."
Education and International Acclaim
At 17, Batiste released his debut album, "Times in New Orleans." He attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, graduating in 2004, before pursuing and earning both bachelor's and master's degrees from the prestigious Juilliard School. During his time at Juilliard, he released his second album, "Live in New York: At the Rubin Museum of Art." By the end of 2006, he had performed internationally in South Africa, London, Lisbon, Spain, Paris, and across the United States.
In 2007, at the age of 20, Batiste made his debut at Amsterdam's Concertgebouw, producing and performing his own show. He also conducted music clinics and workshops in underprivileged communities throughout the Netherlands. His talent led to an invitation back to Carnegie Hall to produce and perform another original show, featuring six young musicians from the Netherlands. The performance culminated in a composition for choir, jazz combo, and orchestral instruments.
Recordings and Notable Performances
The years following saw Batiste release several significant music projects. His 2013 album "Social Music" topped the Billboard and iTunes jazz charts for over a month. He also released "The Late Show EP" (2016) with Stay Human and the holiday album "Christmas with Jon Batiste" (2016). In 2017, he collaborated with Leon Bridges and Gary Clark Jr. on the single "Ohio," and released "Battle Hymn of the Republic" for The Atlantic. His debut solo album, "Hollywood Africans," was released under Verve Records in September 2018, preceded by the lead single "Don't Stop." Leading up to the album's release, Batiste completed a U.S. Summer Festival tour with The Dap-Kings.
Batiste's career highlights include a tribute to Chuck Berry and Fats Domino at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, a performance at the Kennedy Center Honors celebrating Carmen De Lavallade, the Concert for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama, and performing the National Anthem at the 2017 NBA All-Star Game and the 2017 US Open Opening Night. He has also curated the Global Citizen Advocacy Concert with Tom Morello and the Louis Armstrong Wonderful World Festival in Queens, New York. Batiste is currently signed with Mick Management.
Stay Human: The Band and Its Philosophy
In 2005, Batiste formed the band Stay Human with Juilliard peers Phil Kuehn (bass) and Joe Saylor (drums), later joined by Eddie Barbash (alto saxophone) and Ibanda Ruhumbika (tuba). The band's name, "Stay Human," reflects their belief in the power of live musical performance to uplift humanity amidst the isolating nature of modern society. They are known for their impromptu street performances, which Batiste refers to as "love riots."
In 2011, Stay Human released the album "MY N.Y.," entirely recorded on New York City subway trains, an initiative born from Batiste's desire to connect with people. On April 22, 2017, the band performed at the March for Science rally at the Washington Monument in Washington D.C.
Television, Film, and Other Ventures
Batiste and Stay Human gained wider recognition through their appearance on "The Colbert Report" in 2014, performing their single "Express Yourself." In 2015, they became the house band for "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," premiering on CBS in September of that year. On the show, they have performed alongside numerous acclaimed artists, including Billy Joel, Will Smith, Wynton Marsalis, John Legend, Grace Vanderwaal, and Nas.
Batiste has also ventured into acting and film scoring. He appeared in the HBO series "Treme" and was cast as T.K. Hazelton in Spike Lee's film "Red Hook Summer," for which he also composed and performed the Hammond B-3 organ score. His film score credits include the television documentary "Duke 91 & 92: Back to Back" and the short film "Melody of Choice." He also appears in the film "Thrive."
Recognition and Awards
Jon Batiste's contributions to music and culture have been widely recognized. He was included in Forbes' 2016 "30 Under 30" music list and was named Grand Marshal of the Endymion Parade in New Orleans in 2018. His accolades include the American Jazz Museum Lifetime Achievement Award, the Harry Chapin ASCAP Humanitarian Award, and the Movado Future Legend Award. In May 2017, he received an honorary degree from Salve Regina University for his musical achievements and contributions to Newport's International Jazz Day.
Batiste has also been featured in advertising campaigns for major brands such as Chase Bank, Apple Watch, and Lincoln Continental, as well as for fashion labels like Ralph Lauren, Barneys, Nordstrom, Frye Boots, and Bonobos.
In April 2022, his album 'We Are' won Album of the Year at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards. This historic win marked Batiste as the first Black artist to receive this honor since Herbie Hancock in 2008.
