Jon Batiste Feat No ID

Biography

Jonathan Michael Batiste, born November 11, 1986, in Metairie, Louisiana, grew up immersed in New Orleans' rich musical heritage, influenced by jazz, funk, and rhythm and blues. He attended St. Augustine High School and the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, graduating in 2004, before studying jazz at the Juilliard School, where he earned a Bachelor of Music in 2008 and a Master of Music in 2011 under teacher William Daghlian. At age 17, he released his debut instrumental album Times in New Orleans in 2005, followed by performances across Europe and the U.S., including his Carnegie Hall debut in 2007 with young Dutch musicians.[1][3]

Batiste's career gained prominence when he formed the band Stay Human in 2005 with Juilliard peers bassist Phil Kuehn, drummer Joe Saylor, saxophonist Eddie Barbash, and tuba player Ibanda Ruhumbika; their debut EP My N.Y. was recorded busking in New York subways in 2011. From 2015 to 2022, he served as bandleader and musical director for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, blending genres nightly. His 2021 album We Are earned a record 11 Grammy nominations, winning five including Album of the Year; in 2025, he released Big Money, featuring collaborations across blues, R&B, and rock. Batiste composed for Carnegie Hall's American Symphony (2023), documented in a Netflix film.[1][2][3]

Known for his genre-defying style rooted in New Orleans traditions yet incorporating modern elements, Batiste advocates for music education as a Music Unites ambassador, co-artistic director of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, and Juilliard board member since 2022. A civil rights supporter, he has organized protests and backed initiatives like the Equal Justice Initiative.[1][3]

Fun Facts

• Recorded Stay Human's debut EP My N.Y. entirely on New York City subways and street corners using his custom Harmonaboard, a handheld keyboard he plays and blows into simultaneously.[1][3][4]
• At age 20, conducted music clinics in underprivileged Dutch neighborhoods and debuted at Amsterdam's Concertgebouw before performing at Carnegie Hall with young musicians from the Netherlands.[3]
• Nominated for 11 Grammys for We Are (2021), a record at the time across seven categories, winning five including Album of the Year.[2][3]
• Performed the national anthem at Super Bowl LIX in February 2025 accompanied by deaf actress Stephanie Nogueras signing in American Sign Language.[3]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• William Daghlian - Jazz studies teacher at Juilliard (Bachelor and Master of Music degrees) [2004-2011]

Key Collaborators

• Phil Kuehn - Bassist in Stay Human band (Stay Human albums including My N.Y. (2011) and Social Music (2013)) [2005-present]
• Joe Saylor - Drummer in Stay Human band (Stay Human albums including My N.Y. (2011) and Social Music (2013)) [2005-present]
• Eddie Barbash - Saxophonist in Stay Human band (Stay Human albums including My N.Y. (2011) and Social Music (2013)) [2005-present]
• No I.D. (Dion Wilson) - Co-producer and featured collaborator (Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter (2024); Batiste's Big Money (2025)) [2024-2025]
• Stay Human - Band he leads (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015-2022)) [2005-present]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia