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Jonathan Batiste hails from a tradition of poised and percussive New Orleans pianists, and fits the bill on both counts. He also has a blatant crush on Thelonious Monk, a solid rhythm section and a relevant self-released album: “Live in New York: At the Rubin Museum of Art.” -The York Times
Jonathan Batiste is one of the next ambassadors of the culture of jazz music in America. This piano prodigy from New Orleans was first introduced to music through his family’s band, the Batiste Brothers Band, in which he played percussion at the age of 8. The switch to piano came a few years later at the age of 11. He has been performing regularly around the city with his trio since his arrival in New York from New Orleans. He recently was awarded the “Movado Future Legend” award in jazz and has been playing around the world with his trio from Portugal to New York. Although he has a clear and refined focus, and tons of musical experience, he is continually growing and changing in the development of his own unique voice. The expression of that voice reveals a deep commitment to stressing the importance of humanity, sophistication, intelligence, and soul both in music and culture, in general. And with the help of his trio, Jonathan aims to become an influential voice of the people using music as the mode of communication.