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)
UNTIL
Jon Batiste Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Haha)
Jon, let's go home now (ha)
Let's go home now
Jon
In Jon Batiste's song "UNTIL," the lyrics convey a sense of tension and longing for a return to a place of comfort and peace. The opening lines, "You got that one? Jon, let's go home now," suggest a conversation or interaction between two individuals. The repetition of the phrase "Let's go home now" serves as an anchor, emphasizing the desire to escape from the outside world and find solace in a familiar and safe space.
The lyrics can be interpreted as a reflection on the challenges and hardships one faces in life. The repeated plea to go home represents a yearning for a break from these struggles and a longing for a return to a state of serenity. The use of Jon's name in the lyrics gives a personal touch, creating a sense of intimacy and vulnerability in the song.
The song's simplicity and repetition of phrases contribute to a dream-like quality, capturing the cyclical nature of yearning for solace. It's a reminder that amidst the chaos and uncertainty of life, there is a deep human need for security and a place to call home.
Line by Line Meaning
You got that one?
Do you understand?
Jon, let's go home now (ha)
Jon, let's end this and return to where we belong (laughs)
Let's go home now
It's time to leave and find comfort and peace in our own space
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jonathan Batiste
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kathleen Barthelemy
I can't get enough of Freedom. From the little boys drumming on the curb, to your sensational pink suit, to the women in their tennies, of all ages and sizes, but with the same verve, to the guy playing the piano on the trailer flatbed--everybody, just FEELING it! You made Album of the Year with every sound on it. I am a classical pianist, but I watch you every night on Stephen Colbert, and just feel what comes out of your fingertips. Congratulations on all of your Grammys, and best wishes to you and your wonderful, beautiful, talented wife. I'm also a retired English teacher. I'm praying for her full recovery. All the best to both of you. Greetings and love from an American in Berlin!
Mike Shramko
All these sounds of music and life...coming together into a sort of lively composition. Then, the soft piano underneath it all begins asserting itself with deep emotion, hope, joy. Amazing piece.
Marion Martinez Torrico
I can feel the joy of all the musicians as they play this amazing song. It's so short, but it never fails to give me goosebumps: I love it! Thank you for sharing our light through music, Jon!
You Are The Universe
You are beauty in form Sir Batiste. 💜🎶💜
Diana Magdefrau
This album is AMAZING!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Edna Ward
Such a beautiful album! Well done! You deserve Album of the year! It is full of diversity of genres! You're so talented, as well as a humbled Artist! Love you!🎯❤❤😍😍💯❗❗
Eric Guerra
i had to listen to this album bc i love music and honestly i love Kanye and i thought that Donda would win for sure but alas. This is not my style of music but I love music so that means I am open to music, no matter what. I love the way he is seeing life, the musicianship is amazing yes but his interpretation of the moment and the smile that comes with it is something hard to turn away from. Does that make sense? This is after first listen and im feeling kind of dazed honestly, this is something else.
Kathleen Barthelemy
I also love Kanye. He's had a difficult year, and I wanted Donda to win too. I also adore Jon Batiste, and his album so full of life. I'm glad he won, but Donda tugs at my heart. I'm a retired English teacher, as she was. I have a son who teaches art, and I also raised a rapper in Berlin, where my son and I have lived for 32 years. Both of these men are wildly talented in so many ways.
Destiny Swing
that little child 'let's go home now, mom, let's go home now...' We are home. Hoping you are home too. Thank you for sharing all that you love. We feel the love and it feels good! Thankful for you and your talent, all that you are and aspire to be and for your lovers who live in your rich soul. We've won this thing called 'life'. We've already won! - here together. amen.
Maisha Rustenberg
This music sounds very sweet...