Career Timeline of Jon Batiste: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Jon Batiste built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Jon Batiste is a highly accomplished American singer, songwriter, musician, composer, bandleader, television personality, and actor. He's collaborated with numerous prominent artists across genres, including Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, and Willie Nelson. Batiste gained widespread recognition as the bandleader and musical director for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, appearing nightly with his band, Stay Human, from 2015 to 2022.
1968: Grandfather's Involvement in Labor Strike
In 1968, Jon Batiste's grandfather, David Gauthier, as president of the Louisiana Postal Workers Union, was involved in the Memphis, Tennessee, labor strike.
2005: Formation of Stay Human
In 2005, Jon Batiste began performing regularly in New York with his Juilliard peers, forming the band Stay Human.
2006: Featured Performer Internationally
By the end of 2006, Jon Batiste had been a featured performer in South Africa, London, Lisbon, Spain, and Paris.
2007: Debut at Concertgebouw and Netherlands Workshops
In 2007, at age 20, Jon Batiste debuted at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and conducted music workshops in the Netherlands.
2011: Release of MY N.Y.
In 2011, Stay Human released the album MY N.Y., recorded entirely on New York City Subway trains.
2013: Release of 'Social Music'
In 2013, Jon Batiste released 'Social Music,' which topped the Billboard and iTunes jazz charts for over a month.
2014: Appearance on The Colbert Report
In 2014, Jon Batiste and Stay Human appeared on The Colbert Report to perform the group's single, "Express Yourself."
2014: Appearance in Da Sweet Blood of Jesus
In 2014, Jon Batiste appeared in the film Da Sweet Blood of Jesus by Spike Lee.
2014: Contributions to Newport Jazz Day
In 2014, Jon Batiste contributed to Newport's International Jazz Day.
June 4, 2015: Announcement as house band on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
On June 4, 2015, it was announced that Jon Batiste and Stay Human would serve as the house band on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
September 8, 2015: Premiere of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
On September 8, 2015, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert premiered on CBS with Jon Batiste and Stay Human as the house band.
2015: Appearance in Thrive
In 2015, Jon Batiste appeared in the film Thrive by Paul Szynol.
2015: Bandleader on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
In 2015, Jon Batiste began appearing nightly with his band, Stay Human, as bandleader and musical director on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
2016: Release of 'The Late Show EP' and 'Christmas with Jon Batiste'
In 2016, Jon Batiste released 'The Late Show EP' with Stay Human and the holiday album 'Christmas with Jon Batiste'.
2017: Release of 'Ohio' and 'Battle Hymn of the Republic'
In 2017, Jon Batiste released the singles 'Ohio' with Leon Bridges and Gary Clark Jr., and 'Battle Hymn of the Republic'.
2017: Performances at Grammy Awards, Kennedy Center Honors, and US Open
In 2017, Jon Batiste's career performances included a tribute to Chuck Berry and Fats Domino at the Grammy Awards, the Kennedy Center Honors' tribute to Carmen De Lavallade, and Opening Night of the US Open.
September 2018: Release of Hollywood Africans
In September 2018, Jon Batiste released his debut solo album, Hollywood Africans, by Verve Records.
2019: Grammy Nomination for St. James Infirmary Blues
In 2019, Jon Batiste's cover of "St. James Infirmary Blues" was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best American Roots Performance.
June 2020: Juneteenth Celebration in Brooklyn
In June 2020, Jon Batiste participated in the Juneteenth celebration in Brooklyn, New York, performing with Matt Whitaker to advocate for equal rights for Black people.
June 2020: Organizing Peaceful Protests
In June 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, Jon Batiste organized peaceful protests in New York City against police brutality.
2020: Co-composed score for Soul
In 2020, Jon Batiste co-composed the score for the Pixar animated film Soul with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.
2020: Comments on music and systemic oppression
In 2020, during protests following George Floyd's murder, Jon Batiste discussed music's role in addressing systemic oppression, highlighting its importance for community healing and raising awareness.
March 19, 2021: Release of We Are
On March 19, 2021, Jon Batiste released We Are, his fifth solo studio album, calling it a culmination of his life and representative of where he is as a creative and artist.
July 2021: Release of Live at Electric Lady
In July 2021, Jon Batiste released a live EP, Live at Electric Lady, recorded in one day at Electric Lady Studios and released exclusively to Spotify.
October 2021: Surprise performance with Madonna in Harlem
In October 2021, Jon Batiste made a surprise performance with Madonna in the streets of Harlem, singing "Like a Prayer" to promote her concert film, Madame X.
2021: Most nominated artist at the Grammy Awards
In 2021, Jon Batiste received 11 nominations at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, making him the most nominated artist.
2021: Album of the Year Grammy for 'We Are'
In 2021, Jon Batiste won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year for 'We Are'.
August 11, 2022: Announcement of Departure from The Late Show
On August 11, 2022, Stephen Colbert announced Jon Batiste's departure from The Late Show to pursue personal and professional interests.
September 22, 2022: Premiere of American Symphony
On September 22, 2022, Jon Batiste conducted the premiere of his composition American Symphony at Carnegie Hall in New York.
2022: Departure from The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
In 2022, Jon Batiste concluded his role as bandleader and musical director on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
2022: Won Grammy and named one of Time's 100 Most Influential
In 2022, Jon Batiste won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year and was named in Time magazine's "Top 100 Most Influential People". He was also featured on the 2022 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival's commemorative poster.
June 2023: Announcement of World Music Radio Album
In June 2023, Jon Batiste announced his new concept album, World Music Radio, set to feature artists like Lana Del Rey, Lil Wayne, and NewJeans.
August 18, 2023: Release of World Music Radio album
On August 18, 2023, Jon Batiste released his new concept album, World Music Radio. Some of the album's featured artists include Lana Del Rey, Lil Wayne, NewJeans, and JID.
2023: American Symphony Documentary Release
In 2023, Jon Batiste was featured in the documentary film American Symphony, which documents the process of composing his first symphony and his wife's health struggles.
2023: Featured in American Symphony documentary
In 2023, Jon Batiste was featured in the documentary film, American Symphony, chronicling his process of composing his first symphony.
November 2024: Performance at National Book Awards
In November 2024, Jon Batiste performed as a musical guest at the National Book Awards in New York City.
2024: About Beethoven Blues
About his 2024 album Beethoven Blues, Batiste told The New York Times that Beethoven's music "is so very African, filled with polyrhythms" and the "feeling" of the blues.
2024: Uneasy Tour
During 2024, Jon Batiste staged his Uneasy Tour, his first concert tour as a headlining act.
2024: Features in Saturday Night and composes score
In 2024, Jon Batiste featured in the ensemble comedy-drama film Saturday Night, playing musician Billy Preston and composing the film's score.
February 2025: National Anthem at Super Bowl LIX
In February 2025, Jon Batiste will perform the national anthem at Super Bowl LIX, accompanied by deaf actress Stephanie Nogueras in American Sign Language.
