Jon Batiste/ Randy Newman

Biography

Jon Batiste, born November 11, 1986, in Metairie, Louisiana, is a celebrated American musician, composer, bandleader, and actor whose work bridges jazz, R&B, soul, and contemporary pop. Raised in a musical New Orleans family, Batiste began playing drums at age eight before switching to piano at twelve, quickly developing a prodigious talent. He attended the Juilliard School in New York, where he refined his craft and began to gain recognition for his dynamic performances and innovative approach to jazz and improvisation.

Batiste's career accelerated with the formation of his band Stay Human, known for their energetic street performances and later as the house band for 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' from 2015 to 2022. His discography includes acclaimed albums such as 'Social Music,' 'Hollywood Africans,' and 'We Are,' the latter winning Album of the Year at the 2022 Grammy Awards. Batiste's genre-blending style is rooted in New Orleans jazz but incorporates funk, soul, and pop, making his sound both deeply traditional and strikingly modern. His work on the score for Pixar's 'Soul' (2020), co-composed with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, earned him an Academy Award, Golden Globe, and BAFTA, cementing his legacy as a boundary-pushing artist who uses music as a tool for storytelling and social change.

Beyond performance, Batiste is noted for his activism and educational outreach, serving as Creative Director of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem and music director for The Atlantic. He has been a vocal advocate for civil rights, participating in and organizing peaceful protests, and supporting initiatives like the Equal Justice Initiative and the Innocence Project. His influence extends across genres and generations, making him a pivotal figure in contemporary American music.

Fun Facts

• Batiste is the second Black composer in history, after Herbie Hancock, to win an Academy Award for composition.
• He led the band Stay Human in spontaneous street performances, including recording an album entirely in New York City subway cars and on street corners.
• Batiste organized peaceful protests in New York City following the murder of George Floyd, using music as a form of activism.
• He has served as Creative Director of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem and music director for The Atlantic.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Herbie Hancock - Inspirational figure and stylistic influence; Batiste is the second Black composer after Hancock to win an Academy Award for composition. (General influence on jazz composition and improvisation) [2000s–present]

Key Collaborators

• Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross - Co-composers for the Pixar film 'Soul', blending jazz with electronic and orchestral elements. (Soul (2020 film score)) [2019–2020]
• Stay Human - Batiste's band, with whom he performed on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' and recorded several albums. (Social Music, The Late Show performances) [2011–2022]
• Suleika Jaouad - Collaborative inspiration; Batiste's wife and muse, whose health journey influenced his music, notably the documentary 'American Symphony'. (American Symphony (documentary, 2023)) [2010s–present]
• Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Willie Nelson, Lenny Kravitz, ASAP Rocky, Ed Sheeran, Lana Del Rey, Roy Hargrove, Juvenile, Mavis Staples - Collaborated in live performances, recordings, or special events. (Various live and studio collaborations) [2000s–present]

Artists Influenced

• Contemporary jazz and pop musicians - Batiste's innovative blend of genres and activism has inspired a new generation of artists to merge tradition with social commentary. (Artists citing 'We Are' and 'Soul' as inspirations) [2020s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Sunshine In The Room (feat. Jon Batiste)
2. Candy Necklace (feat. Jon Batiste) (Did you know that there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd)
3. Dusklight Movement (Beethoven Blues)
4. FREEDOM (WE ARE)
5. Be Who You Are (Real Magic) (feat. JID, NewJeans & Camilo)
6. It's All Right
7. I NEED YOU (WE ARE)
8. MODERN TIMES (feat. Jon Batiste) (FATHER FIGURE)
9. Drink Water (feat. Jon Bellion and Fireboy DML) (World Music Radio)
10. Für Elise - Batiste (Beethoven Blues)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia