Jon Batiste

Jonathan Michael Batiste, born on November 11, 1986, is a versatile American artist celebrated for his talents as a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, composer, and television personality. Over the years, he has collaborated with an impressive array of musicians, including legends such as Stevie Wonder, Prince, Willie Nelson, Lenny Kravitz, Ed Sheeran, Lana Del Rey, Roy Hargrove, Juvenile, and Mavis Staples. From 2015 to 2022, Batiste showcased his musical skills as the bandleader and musical director for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where his ensemble, Stay Human, captivated audiences with nightly performances.

In addition to his work on television, Batiste is the music director for The Atlantic and serves as the Creative Director of the National Jazz Museum located in Harlem. His notable accomplishments include co-composing the score for Pixar's animated film Soul in 2020, a project for which he earned an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Grammy Award, and a BAFTA Film Award—all shared with collaborators Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. With five Grammy wins from 14 nominations, Batiste's remarkable talent was further recognized when he received the Grammy for Album of the Year for his 2021 release, We Are. In 2023, he appeared in the documentary American Symphony, which chronicles his journey in composing his first symphony.