Career:
Jon Batiste was born in Kenner, Louisiana, into a long line of musicians, including Lionel Batiste and Harold Battiste. At the age of 8, he played percussion and drums with his family's band, the Batiste Brothers Band. At his mother's suggestion, he switched to piano at the age of 11. Jon developed his piano skills by taking classical music lessons and transcribing songs from video games such as Street Fighter Alpha, Final Fantasy VII and Sonic the Hedgehog.
At 17, Batiste released Times in New Orleans. He attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts with Trombone Shorty and graduated in 2004 before going on to receive a bachelor's and master's degree from the Juilliard School. While at Juilliard, he released his second album Live in New York: At the Rubin Museum of Art, and by the end of 2006, had been a featured performer in South Africa, London, Lisbon, Spain, Paris and the United States.
In 2007, Batiste made his debut at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam at the age of 20, both producing and performing his own show. He conducted music clinics, classes and workshops throughout Netherlands in inner city schools and underprivileged neighborhoods. He was invited back to Carnegie Hall to produce and perform in his own show including six young musicians from the Netherlands. The performance concluded with a finale he composed for choir, jazz combo and orchestral instruments. In the year following, Batiste released a number of music projects including Social Music (2013) which spent over a month at the top of the Billboard and iTunes jazz charts, "The Late Show EP" (2016) with Stay Human and a holiday album "Christmas with Jon Batiste" (2016). In 2017, he released the singles "Ohio" with Leon Bridges and Gary Clark Jr. as well as "Battle Hymn of the Republic" for The Atlantic. Batise's debut solo album Hollywood Africans was released under Verve Records in September 2018. "Don't Stop" served as the lead single. Leading up to the album release, Batiste completed a Summer Festival tour across the U.S. with The Dap-Kings.
Batiste's notable career performances include a tribute to Chuck Berry and Fats Domino during the 60th annual Grammy Awards (performing alongside Gary Clark Jr.), the Kennedy Center Honors in tribute to Carmen De Lavallade, the Concert for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama as well as the National Anthem at the 2017 NBA All Star Game and Opening Night of the 2017 US Open. He has curated the Global Citizen Advocacy Concert with Tom Morello and the Louis Armstrong Wonderful World Festival in Queens, N.Y. Batiste is currently signed with Mick Management.
Stay Human.
In 2005, Batiste began performing regularly around the New York music scene with his Juilliard peers, bassist Phil Kuehn and drummer Joe Saylor. He later added Eddie Barbash on alto saxophone and Ibanda Ruhumbika on tuba. Batiste named the band Stay Human, which draws its moniker from the belief that human interaction during a live musical performance can uplift humanity in the midst of the "plug in/tune out" nature of modern society. The band leads impromptu street performances, which Batiste calls "love riots."
In 2011, Stay Human released the album MY N.Y., which was recorded in its entirety on New York City Subway trains, an idea that came to Batiste after questioning how to connect with people.
On April 22, 2017, the band played for the March for Science rally at the Washington Monument in Washington D.C.
Television and film:
In 2014, Batiste and Stay Human appeared on The Colbert Report to perform the group's single, "Express Yourself", written and produced with Austin Bis. On June 4, 2015, it was announced that the group would serve as house band on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The show premiered on CBS on September 8, 2015. On the show, Batiste and Stay Human have performed alongside Billy Joel, Will Smith, Wynton Marsalis, John Legend, Grace Vanderwaal, and Nas.
Batiste was cast in the HBO television series Treme, appearing in seasons 2, 3 and 4. He was also cast as T.K. Hazelton in director Spike Lee's film Red Hook Summer and composed and performed the Hammond B-3 organ music that was a part of the film score. Other film scores composed by Batiste include the television documentary Duke 91 & 92: Back to Back and the short film Melody of Choice. He also appears in the film Thrive by Paul Szynol.
Miscellaneous.
Batiste was included in the 2016 Forbes 30 Under 30 music list and was named Grand Marshal of Endymion Parade in New Orleans in 2018. He has been awarded the American Jazz Museum Lifetime Achievement Award, the Harry Chapin ASCAP Humanitarian Award and the Movado Future Legend Award. In May 2017, Batiste received an honorary degree from Salve Regina University for his musical achievements and contributions to Newport's 2014 International Jazz Day.
Batiste has been featured in campaigns for Chase Bank, Apple Watch, Lincoln Continental, and numerous fashion brands including Ralph Lauren, Barneys, Nordstrom, Frye Boots and Bonobos.
In April 2022, his album 'We Are' won Album of the Year at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, making Batiste the first Black artist to win the award since Herbie Hancock in 2008.
Discography
Times in New Orleans (2005)
Live in New York: At the Rubin Museum of Art (2006)
In the Night (2008)
The Amazing Jon Batiste! (2009)
MY N.Y. EP (2011) with Stay Human
Social Music (2013) with Stay Human
The Process (2014) with Chad Smith and Bill Laswell
The Late Show EP (2016) with Stay Human
Christmas with Jon Batiste (2016)
Music of Johny Lewis (2017) with Wynton Marsalis
Hollywood Africans (2018)
Tell the Truth
Jon Batiste Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Up on the east side (alright)
Willy down the block
Threw me the peace sign (oh yeah)
Moved to the big city
Now we sit, killing (alright)
My daddy growed up
When times was hard and gritty (oh yeah)
Whether looking for love?
Are you looking for fame?
Before you go off
Better know the game, oh
He said, tell it like it is (tell the truth)
Live how you live (I'm talkin' to you)
When you're doing what you do
Just tell the truth, uh (tell the truth)
Tell it like it is (tell the truth)
Love how you live (I'm talkin' to you)
When you're doing what you do
J-ju-ju-ju-, just tell the truth, ah
I'm thinking 'bout my papa
Now that I'm a star (alright)
Lost in translation
People all across the nation, oh (oh yeah)
Just say it, plain and simple
Amongst the complications (alright)
I'm packing all my sneakers
I never had a car
Before you drive off, yeah
Better know who you are
He said, tell it like it is (tell the truth)
And live how you live (I'm talkin' to you)
When you're doing what you do
Tell the truth (tell the truth)
He said, just tell it like it is (tell the truth)
Love how you live (I'm talkin' to you)
When you're doing what you do, ow
Ha, yeah, just tell the truth (tell the truth)
Uh, uh, just tell the truth (tell the truth)
Ah, ah, just tell the truth (tell the truth)
Ooh, ooh, ow
Tell it like it is (tell the truth)
Live how you live (I'm talkin' to you)
When you're doing what you do, ooh
I said, just tell it like it is (tell the truth)
Love how you live (I'm talkin' to you)
When you do it
Be you, be you, be you
I said, tell it like it is, no, no, no, no
Do it like, you feel
Do ya feel? Do ya feel, feel, feel, feel?
Ow, ayy, ow
When you're doing what you do, do it
The song "Tell the Truth" by Jon Batiste is about staying true to yourself and your roots even as you achieve success. The song opens with Batiste reminiscing about his childhood in his father's small house on the east side. He then mentions a neighbor who threw him a peace sign, perhaps indicating an idealistic time in his life. Batiste then reflects on his move from the small town to the big city, where he and his father "sit, killing," suggesting that they are now enjoying the fruits of their labor.
As the song progresses, Batiste considers the pitfalls of seeking love and fame, cautioning the listener to "know the game" before embarking on such a journey. He then recalls his father's simple advice to "tell it like it is" and "live how you live," urging the listener to be true to themselves even in the face of success.
The chorus repeats this sentiment, imploring the listener to "just tell the truth" and "love how you live." Batiste then references his own success, pondering the complications that come with it, and again reiterating his father's advice to keep things simple. The song concludes with Batiste encouraging the listener to "be you" and to "do it," repeating the phrase "when you're doing what you do" several times to drive the point home.
Overall, "Tell the Truth" is a thoughtful meditation on the importance of authenticity in the face of success and temptation.
Line by Line Meaning
My daddy had a small house Up on the east side (alright)
My father lived in a small house on the east side of town.
Willy down the block Threw me the peace sign (oh yeah)
My neighbor Willy greeted me with a peace sign.
Moved to the big city Now we sit, killing (alright)
We moved to the city and now we're living successfully.
My daddy growed up When times was hard and gritty (oh yeah)
My father grew up during tough times.
Whether looking for love? Are you looking for fame? Before you go off Better know the game, oh
Before pursuing your goals, make sure you understand the cost of seeking love or fame.
He said, tell it like it is (tell the truth) Live how you live (I'm talkin' to you) When you're doing what you do Just tell the truth, uh (tell the truth)
My father taught me to be honest and true to myself.
Tell it like it is Love how you live When you're doing what you do J-ju-ju-ju-, just tell the truth, ah
Be authentic and truthful in everything you do.
I'm thinking 'bout my papa Now that I'm a star (alright) Lost in translation People all across the nation, oh (oh yeah)
As a successful musician, I reflect on my father's words while recognizing that my message might not resonate with everyone.
Just say it, plain and simple Amongst the complications (alright)
Despite the challenges, always communicate things clearly and straightforwardly.
I'm packing all my sneakers I never had a car Before you drive off, yeah Better know who you are
I appreciate my success but know that my material possessions do not define me.
He said, tell it like it is And live how you live (I'm talkin' to you) When you're doing what you do Tell the truth (tell the truth)
My father's advice to be truthful and live authentically continues to guide me.
He said, just tell it like it is Love how you live (I'm talkin' to you) When you're doing what you do, ow Ha, yeah, just tell the truth (tell the truth) Uh, uh, just tell the truth (tell the truth) Ah, ah, just tell the truth (tell the truth) Ooh, ooh, ow
Be honest, true to yourself, and love your life. That's how you make the most of your journey.
Tell it like it is (tell the truth) Live how you live (I'm talkin' to you) When you're doing what you do, ooh I said, just tell it like it is (tell the truth) Love how you live (I'm talkin' to you) When you do it Be you, be you, be you
Live your life honestly and authentically as yourself.
I said, tell it like it is, no, no, no, no Do it like, you feel Do ya feel? Do ya feel, feel, feel, feel?
Live your life true to yourself and your feelings.
Ow, ayy, ow When you're doing what you do, do it
Be yourself and do what you love.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jonathan Batiste, Autumn Rowe, Tierce Person
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Carolene Kurien
First "I Need You," now this bop?! Jon is begging everyone to put their dancing shoes on!
Olivier Preziosa
Always on but dang that is a comment right on spot !!!
CycleBreaker#TeamJesus#
I got mine on!!
John Fravel
Lovely
Aniyunwiya-NC🏹
The bop is great, the lyrics of his songs are greater
Ana Pérez
Did you listen to Freedom?
Kemani Iwu
This sounds like something a teenage Stevie would’ve recorded 🔥🙌🏾
Jeremy P.
I can see Jon still performing with the same passion 40 years from now.
Sacred Flames
They'd most probably poison him give him a disease or kill him some how just like they have killed many black talented good hearted artists and people will settle with "oh it's just a conspiracy" nobody gives a fuck but I will pray for brothers like him so the world is completely healed in just 3 mins
✨Magnetic Goddess✨
Not a bone in my body sits still when I hear this man’s music 🎶 So grateful for it!! Thanks Jon 👏👏