Jon Batiste, the acclaimed musician and former late night bandleader, has a playlist that defies expectations. He loves everything from punk band Amyl and the Sniffers to jazz legend Erykah Badu. But there's one band he can't stand: Steely Dan.
The First Song I Fell in Love With
Batiste recalls hearing 'Strokin'' by Clarence Carter as a child. 'My dad would play it. I know every lyric, and at eight years old, I probably shouldn't have,' he says. His earliest musical lessons came from his family, including his Uncle Thomas, who sent him jazz recordings of Oscar Peterson, Milt Jackson, Louis Armstrong, and Ray Charles, along with sermons like the Book of Revelations. 'So, I would learn about a whole bunch of different music, and also study the word of God.'
The First Single I Bought
Batiste used to buy records from Blockbuster video's used CDs bin. He purchased Michael Jackson's 'Dangerous', Björk's 'Vespertine', Erykah Badu's 'Mama's Gun', and Common's 'Like Water for Chocolate'. 'Those are the first four records I bought,' he says.
The Song I Can No Longer Listen To
Steely Dan's 'Reelin' in the Years' is a song Batiste played hundreds of times during his tenure on 'The Late Show' as part of Stephen Colbert's house band from 2015 to 2022. 'I can't listen to it because I played it hundreds of times,' he admits.
The Song That Changed My Life
'When the Saints Go Marching In' holds deep personal significance for Batiste. He played it at his grandmother's funeral, an experience that changed his life. His grandmother is buried in Louisiana, where Mahalia Jackson is also laid to rest.
The Best Song to Have Sex To
Batiste chooses D'Angelo's 'Untitled (How Does It Feel)' for its sensual quality. 'That's got a lot to it,' he says.
The Song That Makes Me Cry
Bach's 'Air on the G String' evokes powerful emotions for Batiste. 'It feels like you're looking back on life and you're the last one left. I've never felt that emotion in music more acutely – it's a powerful piece,' he explains. He has played it in various arrangements, on the piano, and even as a busker in the New York subway at 3am when the city is slowing down.
The Song I Secretly Love But Tell Everyone I Hate
Batiste doesn't believe in song shaming. He enjoys unexpected tracks like 'Giddy Up' by Amyl and the Sniffers. 'They're one of my favourite bands right now. If you listen to punk music, it's got a kind of kinetic energy that feels like avant garde jazz,' he says.
The Song That Gets Me Up in the Morning
His alarm is a playlist featuring Coldplay's 'Don't Panic', 'Body and Soul' by Art Tatum, and Louis Armstrong's 'What a Wonderful World'.
The Song I'd Like Played at My Funeral
Batiste chooses 'When the Saints Come Marching In' for his funeral, echoing the song that changed his life.
Jon Batiste's World festival residency is at Koko, London, from 24 to 28 June, on sale via livenation.co.uk.
