Jon Batiste, the composer, bandleader, singer, piano player, and dancer, was nominated for 11 Grammy Awards.  He won five, including Album of the Year.  His performance on the telecast featured soulful singing, innovative playing, and out of this world dancing.  He brings incredible positive energy to all he does.

Batiste burst on the scene in 2015 as Stephen Colbert’s bandleader and sidekick.  Born in New Orleans and trained at Julliard, Batiste flows between musical genres and instruments with aplomb. I have been fortunate to see him perform in person twice.  Once, with his Stay Human Band at Prospect Park and the second was a solo performance at the Bowery Ballroom.  His ability to connect to the audience and bring his joy to the audience was astounding.  He plays classical, jazz, blues, funk, pop, spiritual, rock, and gospel to perfection.  He moves and he grooves!

In an acceptance speech on Sunday night, Batiste minimized the competitive aspects of art.  He said music for him is a “spiritual practice.”  Batiste knows that life is a journey with ups and downs.  HIs wife, Suleika Jaouad, the brilliant author is fighting a recurrence of leukemia.  They were featured on a touching piece on the CBS Sunday Morning show on 4/3.  Their love is as inspirational as Batiste’s music. 

I look forward to more music, more dancing, and more joy from Jon and Suleika.