Early Life

Jon Batiste is a multi-Grammy Award-winning pianist, bandleader, and composer from Kenner, Louisiana. He was born Jonathan Batiste on November 11, 1985. He grew up in a musical family of eight children and started playing piano at the age of six. His father was an accomplished jazz musician and his mother was a professional singer. From a young age, Batiste was surrounded by music and was exposed to various genres like jazz, classical, gospel, R&B, funk, and pop.

Career

Batiste moved to New York City in 2004 to attend The Juilliard School. While in school, he founded the Stay Human band which he still leads today. After graduating in 2008 with a degree in piano performance, he sought to redefine what it means to be a modern-day musician. He has since collaborated with prominent artists such as The Roots, Trombone Shorty, Prince, John Legend, Common, and many more. In 2015, he released his debut album “Social Music” which earned him two Grammy Award nominations.

Accomplishments

In 2016 he became the musical director for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. He also appeared on the show as a guest performer and has hosted several popular segments such as “The Music Room” and “Hometown Heroes”. In 2017 he received his first Grammy Award for Best Arrangement/Instrumental or Acappella for his work on Sturgill Simpson’s “All Around You”. He also made history by becoming the youngest ever Music Director of The National Memorial Day Concert on PBS. In 2019 he released his second studio album “Hollywood Africans” which won him another Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.

Personal Life

Batiste is married to fellow musician Nicole Cabell and they have three children together. He is an ambassador for the National Endowment for the Arts and has been featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine as one of “America’s Most Influential Musicians”. He is known for being an outspoken advocate for social justice and has spoken out against racism in the music industry.