Jonathan Batiste is a multi-talented American artist known for his work as a singer, songwriter, musician, composer, bandleader, TV personality, and actor. He has collaborated with a wide range of prominent musicians, including Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Willie Nelson, Lenny Kravitz, Ed Sheeran, and many others. From 2015 to 2022, he gained widespread recognition as the bandleader and musical director of Stay Human, the house band for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
1968: Grandfather's Role in Labor Strike
In 1968, Jon Batiste's grandfather, David Gauthier, served as president of the Louisiana Postal Workers Union and participated in a labor strike in Memphis, Tennessee, advocating for improved wages and working conditions.
November 11, 1986: Jon Batiste Born
Jonathan Michael Batiste was born on November 11, 1986.
1987: Herbie Hancock's Oscar Win
Herbie Hancock won an Academy Award for Best Original Score in 1987, a notable achievement for Black composers in the category.
2004: High School Graduation
Jon Batiste graduated from St. Augustine High School and the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts in 2004.
2005: Stay Human Formation
Jon Batiste formed the band Stay Human in 2005, initially with Juilliard classmates.
2006: International Performances
By the end of 2006, Batiste had performed in various countries, including South Africa, the UK, Portugal, Spain, France, and the US.
2007: Concertgebouw Debut and Workshops
At age 20, Batiste debuted at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam in 2007, also conducting music workshops in the Netherlands.
2008: Herbie Hancock's Album of the Year Win
In 2008, Herbie Hancock won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year for River: The Joni Letters, a significant win for Black artists in the category.
2008: Bachelor of Music from Juilliard
Jon Batiste received his Bachelor of Music in jazz studies from the Juilliard School in 2008.
2011: Master of Music from Juilliard
Batiste earned his Master of Music degree in jazz studies from Juilliard in 2011.
2011: MY N.Y. Release
Stay Human released their album MY N.Y. in 2011.
2013: Social Music Release
The album Social Music, which topped Billboard and iTunes jazz charts, was released in 2013.
2014: Contribution to Newport International Jazz Day
In 2014, Jon Batiste made significant contributions to the Newport International Jazz Day.
2014: Appearance in Da Sweet Blood of Jesus
Batiste appeared in Spike Lee's film Da Sweet Blood of Jesus in 2014.
2014: Appearance on The Colbert Report
Batiste and Stay Human performed on The Colbert Report in 2014.
June 4, 2015: Announcement as The Late Show Band
Jon Batiste and Stay Human were announced as the house band for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on June 4, 2015.
September 8, 2015: The Late Show Premiere
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, featuring Batiste and Stay Human, premiered on September 8, 2015.
2015: Appearance in Thrive
Batiste appeared in the film Thrive in 2015.
2015: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Debut
In 2015, Jon Batiste began his tenure as the bandleader and musical director of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
2016: The Late Show EP and Christmas Album Release
Batiste released The Late Show EP with Stay Human and the holiday album Christmas with Jon Batiste in 2016.
2016: Forbes 30 Under 30 Recognition
In 2016, Jon Batiste was recognized for his musical achievements by being included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 music list.
April 22, 2017: March for Science Performance
Stay Human performed at the March for Science rally on April 22, 2017.
May 2017: Honorary Degree from Salve Regina University
Jon Batiste received an honorary degree from Salve Regina University in May 2017, acknowledging his musical accomplishments and contribution to the 2014 Newport International Jazz Day.
2017: Singles Release
Batiste released the singles "Ohio" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic" in 2017.
2017: Notable Performances and Events
In 2017, Batiste performed at the Grammy Awards, Kennedy Center Honors, Concert for Peace and Justice, NBA All Star Game, and US Open.
September 2018: Hollywood Africans Release
Jon Batiste's debut solo album, Hollywood Africans, was released in September 2018.
2018: Endymion Parade Grand Marshal
In 2018, Jon Batiste served as the Grand Marshal of the Endymion Parade in New Orleans.
2018: Grammy Nomination for Best American Roots Performance
Jon Batiste was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best American Roots Performance for "Saint James Infirmary Blues" in 2018.
2019: Grammy Nomination
Batiste's cover of "St. James Infirmary Blues" received a Grammy nomination in 2019.
June 2020: Black Lives Matter Protests
Following the murder of George Floyd in June 2020, Jon Batiste organized peaceful protests against police brutality in New York City, demonstrating his support for the Black Lives Matter movement.
June 2020: Juneteenth Performance
Jon Batiste participated in the Juneteenth celebration in Brooklyn, New York, in June 2020.
2020: Soul Score Composition and Awards
In 2020, Jon Batiste co-composed the score for the Pixar film Soul, earning him an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Grammy Award, and a BAFTA Film Award.
2020: Soul Film Score Composition and Awards
In 2020, Jon Batiste composed the music for the film Soul in collaboration with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. The score won numerous awards, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Original Score.
2020: Grammy Nominations for Chronology of a Dream and Meditations
In 2020, Jon Batiste received two Grammy nominations: Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for Chronology of a Dream: Live at the Village Vanguard, and Best New Age Album for Meditations (with Cory Wong).
2020: Reflections on Music and Social Change
In 2020, during the period of protests and the pandemic, Batiste spoke about the role of music in social change.
2020: Score Composition for Soul and Awards
Jon Batiste, along with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, composed the score for the animated film Soul in 2020, winning several awards including a Golden Globe, Critics' Choice Award, BAFTA Award, and Academy Award.
March 19, 2021: Release of We Are Album
On March 19, 2021, Jon Batiste released his fifth studio album, We Are, describing it as a culmination of his life and artistic journey up to that point.
July 2021: Release of Live at Electric Lady EP
In July 2021, Jon Batiste released a live EP, Live at Electric Lady, recorded at Electric Lady Studios, exclusively on Spotify.
October 2021: Surprise Performance with Madonna
In October 2021, Jon Batiste made a surprise appearance alongside Madonna, performing "Like a Prayer" in Harlem to promote her concert film Madame X.
2021: Grammy Award for We Are
Jon Batiste's album We Are won Album of the Year at the 2021 Grammy Awards.
2021: 11 Grammy Nominations
In 2021, Jon Batiste received 11 Grammy nominations, making him the most nominated artist at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards.
February 2022: Marriage to Suleika Jaouad
Jon Batiste and Suleika Jaouad married in a private ceremony in February 2022.
April 3, 2022: Marriage Announcement
On April 3, 2022, Jon Batiste and Suleika Jaouad publicly revealed their marriage, which had taken place privately in February 2022.
August 11, 2022: Departure Announcement
Colbert announced Batiste's departure from The Late Show on August 11, 2022.
September 22, 2022: American Symphony Premiere at Carnegie Hall
On September 22, 2022, Jon Batiste premiered his composition, American Symphony, at Carnegie Hall in New York City, receiving positive reviews.
2022: Grammy Win, Time 100, and Jazz Fest Poster
In 2022, Jon Batiste won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year, was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People, and was featured on the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival's commemorative poster.
2022: Departure from The Late Show
Jon Batiste concluded his role on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in 2022.
June 2023: Announcement of World Music Radio Album
In June 2023, Jon Batiste announced his upcoming concept album, World Music Radio, which would later be released in August.
August 18, 2023: Release of World Music Radio Album
Jon Batiste's concept album, World Music Radio, was released on August 18, 2023, featuring collaborations with artists like Lana Del Rey, Lil Wayne, NewJeans, and JID, and supported by the single "Calling Your Name".
2023: American Symphony Documentary Film
In 2023, a documentary film titled American Symphony, directed by Matthew Heineman and executive produced by Barack and Michelle Obama, chronicled Jon Batiste's creation of his first symphony and his wife Suleika Jaouad's battle with leukemia.
2023: American Symphony Documentary
The documentary American Symphony, showcasing Batiste composing his first symphony, was released in 2023.