Spotlight: Jon Batiste and Stay Human

Considered by many to be the most innovative and uplifting groups on the scene today, Jon Batiste and his band, Stay Human, are revered for their unique approach blending many genres to create a musical mashup that they call “social music,” having one of the most musical and entertaining live shows today. With his soulful voice, virtuosic piano chops and dapper sense of style, Batiste has ignited the music scene. Although he comes from a renowned lineage of New Orleans musicians in his family, over the last decade he has forged his own artistic path by indelibly fusing himself within the fabric of New York City culture. At age 26, Batiste is the Artistic Director At Large of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem and has also received a Master’s Degree from the Juilliard School for piano. Batiste brings to mind a young Ray Charles on his latest release, Social Music, as he reinterprets America’s richest musical traditions through a contemporary lens. Although heavily rooted in jazz, Social Music is not about any particular musical tradition more than it is about the intent of the music itself. “The purpose of this music is to bring people together from all walks of life by creating a montage of many different music traditions and playing it with the spirit of inclusiveness.” Hosted by Vice President of The GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares, Scott Goldman, Batiste will discuss his soaring career and will play a selection of songs.