Jon Batiste: The 60 Minutes Interview

We have met a lot of musicians over the We have met a lot of musicians over the years, but few as original or as gifted years, but few as original or as gifted years, but few as original or as gifted as John Batiste. He has big ideas and a as John Batiste. He has big ideas and a as John Batiste. He has big ideas and a bigger laugh. You may know he was the bigger laugh. You may know he was the bigger laugh. You may know he was the band leader on the Late Show with Steven band leader on the Late Show with Steven band leader on the Late Show with Steven Colbear, but that was just one stop on Colbear, but that was just one stop on Colbear, but that was just one stop on his creative journey. At 39, he's a his creative journey. At 39, he's a his creative journey. At 39, he's a virtuoso who loves to play the childlike virtuoso who loves to play the childlike virtuoso who loves to play the childlike melodica. He's intent on breaking down melodica. He's intent on breaking down melodica. He's intent on breaking down musical silos, blending Beethoven with musical silos, blending Beethoven with musical silos, blending Beethoven with blues, for example, to make something blues, for example, to make something blues, for example, to make something new. Jazz, classical, folk, pop, really new. Jazz, classical, folk, pop, really new. Jazz, classical, folk, pop, really any sounds that fire his imagination get any sounds that fire his imagination get any sounds that fire his imagination get woven into what he calls social music. woven into what he calls social music. woven into what he calls social music. It draws from every era and every corner It draws from every era and every corner It draws from every era and every corner of the world with one central purpose, of the world with one central purpose, of the world with one central purpose, to bring people together. It's about 9:30 on a Tuesday night in It's about 9:30 on a Tuesday night in Manhattan and music fills the air. Manhattan and music fills the air. Manhattan and music fills the air. [singing] >> At the center of it all, the maestro of >> At the center of it all, the maestro of the evening, singer, composer, and the evening, singer, composer, and the evening, singer, composer, and musical dynamo John Batist.

After tuning up, Batist led his merry After tuning up, Batist led his merry band of musicians to their stage. Where band of musicians to their stage. Where band of musicians to their stage. Where of all places? The New York City subway. >> So, what would you call this when >> So, what would you call this when everybody came together? everybody came together? everybody came together? >> Call it a love riot. >> Call it a love riot. >> Call it a love riot. >> A love riot. >> A love riot. >> A love riot. >> So, you got a love riot going ON RIGHT >> So, you got a love riot going ON RIGHT >> So, you got a love riot going ON RIGHT NOW. [screaming] WE FOLLOWED THEM from station to WE FOLLOWED THEM from station to platform platform platform >> and platform to train >> and platform to train >> and platform to train >> where revalry ensued. For a few stops, an ordinary subway car For a few stops, an ordinary subway car became the happiest place in New York. There's a party in here. There's a party in here. >> Yeah, that's what it is. It's a party, >> Yeah, that's what it is. It's a party, >> Yeah, that's what it is. It's a party, but it's very serious. And this is a but it's very serious. And this is a but it's very serious. And this is a mass revival of the soul.

mass revival of the soul. mass revival of the soul. >> Batist dreamed up love riots as a >> Batist dreamed up love riots as a >> Batist dreamed up love riots as a student at Giuliard, the fame performing student at Giuliard, the fame performing student at Giuliard, the fame performing arts school. The subway became a testing arts school. The subway became a testing arts school. The subway became a testing ground for his vision of uniting people ground for his vision of uniting people ground for his vision of uniting people through music. through music. through music. [music] has the most fun I've ever had on a New has the most fun I've ever had on a New York subway. Ever. Ever. >> You took this subway car that's usually >> You took this subway car that's usually >> You took this subway car that's usually a very somber, grim place and turned it a very somber, grim place and turned it a very somber, grim place and turned it into a happy place. into a happy place. into a happy place. >> I love seeing how different songs strike >> I love seeing how different songs strike >> I love seeing how different songs strike a chord with different people. And a chord with different people. And a chord with different people. And that's a beautiful thing when you can that's a beautiful thing when you can that's a beautiful thing when you can bring somebody that kind of unexpected bring somebody that kind of unexpected bring somebody that kind of unexpected feeling of of belonging, feeling like feeling of of belonging, feeling like feeling of of belonging, feeling like they're not alone in the world. And what they're not alone in the world. And what they're not alone in the world. And what what does that do for you? what does that do for you? what does that do for you? >> I just enjoy the idea of being this >> I just enjoy the idea of being this >> I just enjoy the idea of being this vessel that unites people, brings people vessel that unites people, brings people vessel that unites people, brings people together against all odds. That's a form together against all odds. That's a form together against all odds. That's a form of faith for me. of faith for me. of faith for me. >> Three or four songs. >> Three or four songs. >> Three or four songs. >> We join John Batiste at a temple to that >> We join John Batiste at a temple to that >> We join John Batiste at a temple to that faith. Electric Lady Studios in faith. Electric Lady Studios in faith. Electric Lady Studios in Greenwich Village.

Greenwich Village. Greenwich Village. >> Let me get mine together. >> A who's who of artists have passed >> A who's who of artists have passed through here. through here. through here. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, Taylor >> Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, Taylor >> Stevie Wonder, David Bowie, Taylor Swift. Swift. Swift. Batist seemed to draw music from thin Batist seemed to draw music from thin Batist seemed to draw music from thin air. None of this was written down or air. None of this was written down or air. None of this was written down or rehearsed. He's constantly improvising. rehearsed. He's constantly improvising. rehearsed. He's constantly improvising. [music] As his fingers fly over the keys, music As his fingers fly over the keys, music takes human form. Its tension and joy takes human form. Its tension and joy takes human form. Its tension and joy flow through his body and play across flow through his body and play across flow through his body and play across his face. [music] his face. [music] his face. [music] at the keyboard. He seemed lost in a at the keyboard. He seemed lost in a at the keyboard. He seemed lost in a trance. >> You want to listen in here? >> You want to listen in here? >> We went to the control room. Only >> We went to the control room. Only >> We went to the control room. Only listening to the playback did he really listening to the playback did he really listening to the playback did he really hear what he had created? >> You could tell from his laugh he liked >> You could tell from his laugh he liked it it it >> a lot.

That's the first time you actually hear That's the first time you actually hear it. it. it. >> Yeah. When I'm playing it, I'm feeling >> Yeah. When I'm playing it, I'm feeling >> Yeah. When I'm playing it, I'm feeling it. I want to stay in [music] a certain it. I want to stay in [music] a certain it. I want to stay in [music] a certain flow and feeling. flow and feeling. flow and feeling. >> When Batist talks about music >> When Batist talks about music >> When Batist talks about music >> and [music] you go back to the first >> and [music] you go back to the first >> and [music] you go back to the first hymn that they found in Syria or, you hymn that they found in Syria or, you hymn that they found in Syria or, you know, you go to the the first drums or know, you go to the the first drums or know, you go to the the first drums or the symbols, Neolithic China, you go, the symbols, Neolithic China, you go, the symbols, Neolithic China, you go, >> he seems to come from a different world. >> he seems to come from a different world. >> he seems to come from a different world. >> When he [music] plays, he takes you to >> When he [music] plays, he takes you to >> When he [music] plays, he takes you to that other world. that other world. that other world. For Batist, those creative feelings flow For Batist, those creative feelings flow For Batist, those creative feelings flow from improvisation. >> Yeah. You heard it. >> Yeah. You heard it. You heard it. You heard it. You heard it. >> Just watching you right now, >> Just watching you right now, >> Just watching you right now, >> you start playing the piano. >> you start playing the piano. >> you start playing the piano. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And you light up. >> And you light up. >> And you light up. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Everything about you lights up. >> Everything about you lights up. >> Everything about you lights up. >> It's It's a It's a calling. When I get >> It's It's a It's a calling. When I get >> It's It's a It's a calling. When I get to the piano, to the piano, to the piano, there's a that's the openness. It's a there's a that's the openness. It's a there's a that's the openness. It's a tidal wave. I can express all of those tidal wave. I can express all of those tidal wave. I can express all of those things that are here and here and here.

things that are here and here and here. things that are here and here and here. So, you're seeing the physical So, you're seeing the physical So, you're seeing the physical representation of that on my face, I representation of that on my face, I representation of that on my face, I guess, of my body is a, you know, guess, of my body is a, you know, guess, of my body is a, you know, there's a change. there's a change. there's a change. >> His life changed dramatically in 2014. >> His life changed dramatically in 2014. >> His life changed dramatically in 2014. He started dating old friend, artist and He started dating old friend, artist and He started dating old friend, artist and writer Sulea Jiad, who has been in and writer Sulea Jiad, who has been in and writer Sulea Jiad, who has been in and out of treatment for leukemia. out of treatment for leukemia. out of treatment for leukemia. He once brought a love riot to her He once brought a love riot to her He once brought a love riot to her hospital ward. They're now married. hospital ward. They're now married. hospital ward. They're now married. >> I'm a jazz musician. >> I'm a jazz musician. >> I'm a jazz musician. >> Also in 2014, he impressed the star of >> Also in 2014, he impressed the star of >> Also in 2014, he impressed the star of the Co Bear Report. the Co Bear Report. the Co Bear Report. >> Everybody's always improvising. You like >> Everybody's always improvising. You like >> Everybody's always improvising. You like reading scripts, but When Steven Colbear took over the Late When Steven Colbear took over the Late Show, he asked John Batiste and his Stay Show, he asked John Batiste and his Stay Show, he asked John Batiste and his Stay Human band to join him. He was Colar's Human band to join him. He was Colar's Human band to join him. He was Colar's band leader for seven years, all the band leader for seven years, all the band leader for seven years, all the while creating his own music. He put while creating his own music. He put while creating his own music. He put jazz in the score of Pixar's Soul and jazz in the score of Pixar's Soul and jazz in the score of Pixar's Soul and took home an Oscar. The year he left the took home an Oscar. The year he left the took home an Oscar. The year he left the Late Show 2022, he won five Grammys, Late Show 2022, he won five Grammys, Late Show 2022, he won five Grammys, including album of the year for We Are.

including album of the year for We Are. including album of the year for We Are. He now has eight Grammys, two Emmys, >> and plays to sold out venues around the >> and plays to sold out venues around the world. world. world. >> 2. >> 2. >> 2. >> We caught up with Batist at the >> We caught up with Batist at the >> We caught up with Batist at the Hollywood Bowl last month where the full Hollywood Bowl last month where the full Hollywood Bowl last month where the full sweep of his musical imagination took sweep of his musical imagination took sweep of his musical imagination took center stage. center stage. center stage. >> [music] >> [music] >> [music] >> Baby, >> Baby, >> Baby, [singing] baby, [singing] baby, [singing] baby, >> rhythm and blues. >> rhythm and blues. >> rhythm and blues. [music] [music] [music] >> Now I just need you to pop. He mixes musical genres without missing He mixes musical genres without missing a beat. It may be hard to believe, but this It may be hard to believe, but this electrifying performer electrifying performer electrifying performer doesn't seek the spotlight.

doesn't seek the spotlight. doesn't seek the spotlight. Man, I got to tell you, Bill, I'm an Man, I got to tell you, Bill, I'm an Man, I got to tell you, Bill, I'm an introvert. I'm a deeply, deeply introvert. I'm a deeply, deeply introvert. I'm a deeply, deeply introverted person. into my early introverted person. into my early introverted person. into my early adolescent years. I felt that I was in adolescent years. I felt that I was in adolescent years. I felt that I was in this world of my own internal design. this world of my own internal design. this world of my own internal design. That world was in the New Orleans suburb That world was in the New Orleans suburb That world was in the New Orleans suburb Kenner, Louisiana. He grew up in a Kenner, Louisiana. He grew up in a Kenner, Louisiana. He grew up in a musical family, but told us he barely musical family, but told us he barely musical family, but told us he barely spoke until he was about 10. He would spoke until he was about 10. He would spoke until he was about 10. He would sit in this magnolia tree in his sit in this magnolia tree in his sit in this magnolia tree in his family's front yard and observe. I would family's front yard and observe. I would family's front yard and observe. I would go into the tree to kind of really go into the tree to kind of really go into the tree to kind of really understand understand understand stillness. stillness. stillness. You go in the tree and time stops. You go in the tree and time stops. You go in the tree and time stops. You got to find your tree in your life. You got to find your tree in your life. You got to find your tree in your life. >> So, what got you >> So, what got you >> So, what got you out of your shell, out of your tree? Was out of your shell, out of your tree? Was out of your shell, out of your tree? Was it music? it music? it music? >> It's what music can do. And what in that >> It's what music can do. And what in that >> It's what music can do. And what in that stillness was being revealed to me that stillness was being revealed to me that stillness was being revealed to me that I can do and then believe in it, having I can do and then believe in it, having I can do and then believe in it, having the audacity to believe it. He didn't the audacity to believe it. He didn't the audacity to believe it. He didn't set out to be a musician, but at [music] set out to be a musician, but at [music] set out to be a musician, but at [music] his mother's urging, he took up the his mother's urging, he took up the his mother's urging, he took up the piano and excelled.

piano and excelled. piano and excelled. [music] [music] [music] That's him at 15. By the time he graduated high school, By the time he graduated high school, Batist was playing gigs across New Batist was playing gigs across New Batist was playing gigs across New Orleans. But he wanted a greater Orleans. But he wanted a greater Orleans. But he wanted a greater challenge. So he went to New York and challenge. So he went to New York and challenge. So he went to New York and auditioned for Giuliard. auditioned for Giuliard. auditioned for Giuliard. >> You had to be able to read music. You >> You had to be able to read music. You >> You had to be able to read music. You know, I started to Giuliard and you know, I started to Giuliard and you know, I started to Giuliard and you didn't know how to read music. didn't know how to read music. didn't know how to read music. >> No man, in the audition there was a site >> No man, in the audition there was a site >> No man, in the audition there was a site reading test on the spot. I'm like, I reading test on the spot. I'm like, I reading test on the spot. I'm like, I can't read this. What am I gonna do? So can't read this. What am I gonna do? So can't read this. What am I gonna do? So he improvised. he improvised. he improvised. >> Whatever it was in that moment was >> Whatever it was in that moment was >> Whatever it was in that moment was certainly not what was on the page, but certainly not what was on the page, but certainly not what was on the page, but it was music that was coming through me it was music that was coming through me it was music that was coming through me at that moment. at that moment. at that moment. >> He got in, but soon found he didn't fit >> He got in, but soon found he didn't fit >> He got in, but soon found he didn't fit in. Batist told us his free spirit in. Batist told us his free spirit in. Batist told us his free spirit clashed with the school's more clashed with the school's more clashed with the school's more structured methods. At one point, structured methods. At one point, structured methods. At one point, exasperated instructors sent him to see exasperated instructors sent him to see exasperated instructors sent him to see a psychologist. [laughter] a psychologist. [laughter] a psychologist. [laughter] >> Cuz you didn't conform. I remember just >> Cuz you didn't conform. I remember just >> Cuz you didn't conform. I remember just being misunderstood to the point that being misunderstood to the point that being misunderstood to the point that they sent me to the psychologist. He they sent me to the psychologist. He they sent me to the psychologist. He really understood and saw me and helped really understood and saw me and helped really understood and saw me and helped me to understand at that beginning stage me to understand at that beginning stage me to understand at that beginning stage of my journey that I may be weird, but of my journey that I may be weird, but of my journey that I may be weird, but you're all right, son.

you're all right, son. you're all right, son. >> That turned out to be a good thing. >> That turned out to be a good thing. >> That turned out to be a good thing. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> He decided then and there to create his >> He decided then and there to create his >> He decided then and there to create his music his way without apology. It's really tough, man. It's annoying. It's really tough, man. It's annoying. You have to be comfortable being You have to be comfortable being You have to be comfortable being misunderstood. You have to be misunderstood. You have to be misunderstood. You have to be comfortable moving at a pace that is not comfortable moving at a pace that is not comfortable moving at a pace that is not at the pace with the rest of the world. at the pace with the rest of the world. at the pace with the rest of the world. We found it hard to keep pace with him. We found it hard to keep pace with him. We found it hard to keep pace with him. He's always on the move, as we saw at He's always on the move, as we saw at He's always on the move, as we saw at rehearsal at the Hollywood Bowl. rehearsal at the Hollywood Bowl. rehearsal at the Hollywood Bowl. >> Now, we got to redo the set list. >> Now, we got to redo the set list. >> Now, we got to redo the set list. >> Improvising right up to the last minute. >> Improvising right up to the last minute. >> Improvising right up to the last minute. >> Yeah, let's let's work on that real >> Yeah, let's let's work on that real >> Yeah, let's let's work on that real quick. His career is soaring, but his quick. His career is soaring, but his quick. His career is soaring, but his wife Sulea's leukemia has returned. wife Sulea's leukemia has returned. wife Sulea's leukemia has returned. She's had to isolate, and this month she She's had to isolate, and this month she She's had to isolate, and this month she went into the hospital for her third went into the hospital for her third went into the hospital for her third bone marrow transplant. It seems like a bone marrow transplant. It seems like a bone marrow transplant. It seems like a lot of your brightest moments coincides lot of your brightest moments coincides lot of your brightest moments coincides with some of yours and Sulea's toughest with some of yours and Sulea's toughest with some of yours and Sulea's toughest times.

times. times. you um were nominated for multiple you um were nominated for multiple you um were nominated for multiple Grammys at the very same time that she Grammys at the very same time that she Grammys at the very same time that she was facing her second bone marrow was facing her second bone marrow was facing her second bone marrow transplant. transplant. transplant. Everybody has Everybody has Everybody has something that something that something that they're dealing with and the highs are they're dealing with and the highs are they're dealing with and the highs are never separate from the low points. never separate from the low points. never separate from the low points. That's life That's life That's life >> and it's a part of how you find >> and it's a part of how you find >> and it's a part of how you find gratitude gratitude gratitude in life. It's the the way that you find in life. It's the the way that you find in life. It's the the way that you find gratitude for each other. gratitude for each other. gratitude for each other. >> On stage that night before a packed >> On stage that night before a packed >> On stage that night before a packed house, Batist performed Butterfly. house, Batist performed Butterfly. house, Batist performed Butterfly. >> Butterfly >> Butterfly >> Butterfly all all all >> a lullabi he'd composed to help Sulea's >> a lullabi he'd composed to help Sulea's >> a lullabi he'd composed to help Sulea's healing. healing. healing. >> Can you find your way home? >> Can you find your way home? >> Can you find your way home? Everybody put your lights in the air. Everybody put your lights in the air. Everybody put your lights in the air. >> You're a butterfly. >> You're a butterfly. >> You're a butterfly. when you asked everybody to hold up when you asked everybody to hold up when you asked everybody to hold up their phones and the whole place lit up. their phones and the whole place lit up. their phones and the whole place lit up. >> Yeah. That's symbolic. That's evidence >> Yeah. That's symbolic. That's evidence >> Yeah. That's symbolic. That's evidence of [music] the light that we ignited in of [music] the light that we ignited in of [music] the light that we ignited in these people tonight.

these people tonight. these people tonight. >> That was for her. >> That was for her. >> That was for her. >> Yes. Yes. >> If you feel like you're in a dark, if >> If you feel like you're in a dark, if you in that crowd and holding that light you in that crowd and holding that light you in that crowd and holding that light up, I got a light in me. I can move up, I got a light in me. I can move up, I got a light in me. I can move forward. Wow. [singing] Wow. [singing] Wow.