Jon Batiste, the Academy and Grammy award-winning artist, recently made a captivating appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The charismatic musician, known for his seven-year stint as the band leader of the show, discussed his latest album, “World Music Radio,” which has earned him six Grammy Award nominations.
During the interview, Colbert warmly welcomed Batiste back to the show, highlighting their long-standing friendship. They reminisced about previous encounters, including Batiste’s visit to Colbert’s house the day after his appendix surgery. Batiste expressed his joy at returning to the theater after seven years, acknowledging the incredible journey he has had alongside Colbert.
But it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for Batiste. Behind closed doors, he and his wife, Sua, have faced some challenging times. Fortunately, they have overcome these hurdles, and their story is now featured in a captivating documentary called “American Symphony,” available on Netflix.
“American Symphony” delves into Batiste’s journey to create his orchestral composition of the same name, intertwining it with the narrative of his wife’s personal journey. Initially, Batiste had envisioned the documentary as a simple home movie, chronicling his experience reinventing a symphony with a broad audience in mind. However, the project expanded into something much grander.
Colbert praised Batiste’s remarkable musical talent, noting that he had attended the premiere of “American Symphony” at Carnegie Hall. The Symphony, which seamlessly combines influences from various musical genres, nearly faced cancellation due to the pandemic. Despite multiple setbacks, the performance ultimately took place. However, just as the first movement began, a power outage occurred. Undeterred, Batiste improvised, turning the unexpected interlude into a memorable part of the Symphony, which is now incorporated as a deliberate moment of discovery.
The conversation then shifted to Batiste’s latest album, “World Music Radio,” which has garnered critical acclaim and six Grammy Award nominations, including Album of the Year and Song of the Year. Batiste revealed that one of the album’s tracks, “Butterfly,” had initially started as a lullaby he composed for his wife during her leukemia treatment. The soothing melodies served as a frequency of rest in her hospital room, creating a peaceful atmosphere amid the chaos. The lullaby eventually evolved into the beautiful and poignant song, “Butterfly.”
Batiste concluded the interview by sharing his gratitude for being on the show and performing a soul-stirring rendition of “Butterfly.” The performance left the audience captivated and reminded everyone of Batiste’s extraordinary musical talent.
With his new album, “World Music Radio,” and the documentary, “American Symphony,” Jon Batiste continues to captivate audiences worldwide with his unique musical vision. As he embarks on his journey to the Grammy Awards, fans eagerly await the celebration of his exceptional talent and the recognition he so rightly deserves.
