11-Time Grammy Nominee Jon Batiste on “We Are” | Amanpour and Company

Pixar’s holiday release "Soul" was an instant hit, offering up jazz and life lessons for young and old. The man behind that film’s memorable music was none other than Jon Batiste. He’s a familiar face to many as bandleader on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," and has recently donned another hat in his “We Are” campaign - a series of protests that explore civil justice through music and community. He speaks with Michel Martin about his activism, his new album and how they intersect.
Jon Batiste’s new album WE ARE is available for pre-order and releases on March 19.
Originally aired on January 28, 2021.
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Amanpour and Company features wide-ranging, in-depth conversations with global thought leaders and cultural influencers on the issues and trends impacting the world each day, from politics, business and technology to arts, science and sports. Christiane Amanpour leads the conversation on global and domestic news from London with contributions by prominent journalists Walter Isaacson, Michel Martin, Alicia Menendez and Hari Sreenivasan from the Tisch WNET Studios at Lincoln Center in New York City.
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[@karenl7786]

This man is such an old soul and yet so fresh a new. He has so much to teach us and I hope we are listening. If you do not take living in joy as a primary lesson from him then you're missing the point.

[@JonBatisteTruthBeTold]

Wahoohoo!

[@jacquelinewalters2706]

Jon is the personification of joy. "Art is a window to the truth. and there's joy in knowing, even when the truth is painful." Also "After 2020, we can't forget about fun. A part of us Remaining Human and our humanity being asserted is us having fun and having joy in our life."

[@mflumiani]

Right? I just adore this man's poise, humanity and obvious talent.

[@catherineneal5370]

We so needed to hear after 2020 remember to have fun. So many of us were so exhausted

[@kingahruszka5371]

Personification of joy. Well stated!

[@carolhaslam682]

I’m 74 love this video in art gallery identified with the dancers this young man is so intelligent and talanted

[@fizzedupslade4082]

What a really great guy. 'As a leader in your field you have to hold yourself to a higher standard' I think he said that? Integrity, integrity, integrity. Wonderful to see an artist express themselves this way. Love that video!

[@Rational_Mind]

Been watching Batiste for a long time on Colbert. He’s a national treasure, the exact opposite of all these trump supporter/Q’anon believers. Batiste emanates goodness, joy, caring, selflessness whereas they emanate anger, envy, selfishness and vindictiveness.

[@flowerfaeri]

I've always loved this man. He exudes such love and joy and positivity. He gives me hope in dark these times.

[@judyjohnson7286]

Spot on, he is a treasure that we really need to share everywhere with everyone. Love and joy is what he’s all about and what we all need a lot more of. Love you sweet man.

[@judyjohnson7286]

He is the super bowl.

[@debracottrill7989]

Music can change the world, keep repeating the goodness standing in the middle Time to keep the pendulum in the middle.

[@kathleenwoollcott4750]

Don’t embarrass yourself with your politics!

[@shirleyoldfield7200]

Thank you for such an insightful interview. I have been appreciating Jon for a number of years now and to be able to listen to such an eloquent conversation has been pure joy.

[@cherylbielich8425]

Love and light. He’s an old soul. Excellent

[@marthavillegas6250]

Love him!

[@gypsy97feder94]

What a beautiful human being!

[@Les020519]

We need more positive people sharing those hopeful, positive vibes during these times of struggle for so many. Remind people that we will get through this.

[@karyherndon4266]

Nice.

[@deborahfusco-amjadi5755]

Mr Batiste is always spectacular! 🌟

[@bijujacob4758]

this guy is deep...in a really positive and meaningful sense...

[@emiller113]

he is fantastic 🤗❤️

[@catherinerosengren3122]

I love you man. But please remember that the phrase "chosen ones" is what was a positive negative title of the Jews, from a long time ago. I say this with love You are such a wonderful giver of excellence

[@merrymartin3335]

I think his music and activism reflects a knowledge of this. Did you know that indigenous peoples have historically called themselves chosen people or phrases to that effect?

[@catherinerosengren3122]

@@merrymartin3335 yes I heard that a long time ago when I was taking an art class in Taos now that you mention it. Ta

[@kaarenbock4803]

As a Jew, I consider “the chosen people” to be a job title, not an honorific.

[@merrymartin3335]

@@kaarenbock4803 well said

[@makila7715]

Reminiscent of Freddie Mercury and We are the Champions. That song has a similar, joyful upbeat message.

[@bonnieikamas1201]

🌹

[@joyleenstrozier4295]

Hi Amanpour & Co, I like your content. I love watching your videos.

[@marianserra8371]

They don't make them like Jon. He's a joy just to watch him laugh. God bless you Jon💟

[@csstudio3648]

Omg, love this guy! Great interview!! 💙💜💛

[@adammarshall6257]

Underrated, he's a genius in his own right, such a way with words.

[@pjbraine2289]

"underrated" maybe by closed-minded fools!?

[@critters16]

He is a treasure

[@lieselemay]

Yes! Much love Jon Batiste.

[@colettestivarius5186]

“Stay close to people who feel like sunshine”...Jon is Sunshine in human form.

[@dsthorp]

Jon Batiste, You are beautiful.

[@gbereterbide6440]

Merely his smile warms my heart, let alone that I can feed my soul with his music.

[@Lindaheal]

Great interview between powerful, highly articulate beings inviting us to take a deeper dive into the broadly, deeply talented work of Jon Baptiste. What an extraordinary talent bringing magic to us in ever more wonderful ways. Watching the two of you enjoy each other, and feeling it spill over to the rest of us has made my evening joyful indeed.

[@codygiron7814]

Jon Batiste is a gift to the world!

[@lits3212]

Couldn’t agree more!!!

[@JonBatisteTruthBeTold]

"Thank you, thank you, for your love!" PURE JOY😃

[@Outofalldoors]

Great interview! Thank you for posting

[@annalee8868]

I love Jon Batiste’s energy, enormous talents and sweetness we all could emulate. Long live Jon Batiste!

[@talimn]

guy makes me smile every time. "Yes indeeeeed"

[@ksls3503]

Beautiful, Content, Joy, Thank you Jon.

[@susansawiki2318]

A magical 🧙‍♀️ musician~

[@klarakrok]

Adorable Amazing Talent ...JanBaptiste

[@BelleTolles]

Great interview. He is such a bright light. That last little bit was a delightful ending

[@terri200]

He and his music are magnificent! He is a complete genius! Have to always watch Steve Colbert so I can hear him. P.S. Steve is awesome too. Jon, thank you so very much for bringing such magic into this world!!👏👏😀♥️🙏🙏

[@LostintheTwilightZone]

I wish Stephen would showcase him more often....let him play an entire song!!! The little daily snippets are good, but I really wish he would allow him a full song at least once a month or more!!!

[@Kit-se3zs]

What a wonderful human.

[@celiciasequeira6030]

Jon, thank you for sharing your talent with the world🙏

[@love2learnmitchell329]

Absolutely loved this interview! Pure joy!

[@starlessmystery6429]

People need to be openly educated as to why people have differences. They need to be educated about the very beginnings of racism which is ancient. The truth needs to be taught to children so their minds will not be so easily swayed to hate.

[@JeffreyGoddin]

Well, but racism was invented in America, to be clear. If you don't know that, look it up.

[@starlessmystery6429]

@@JeffreyGoddin no, it was not

[@JeffreyGoddin]

@@starlessmystery6429 There really are many studies of history that show racism originating against the Jews in Europe in the middle ages, but really becoming formalized in secular America with the philosophy of hereditary and inalterable differences that justified the preclusion and exploitation on the basis of race. I'm not inventing this. What I'm saying, as you said, is that we should be educated, and I'm letting you know that claiming racism to be ancient is incorrect. America invented racism. It's our sin, that we've spread throughout the world.

[@starlessmystery6429]

@@JeffreyGoddin there are older cultures than that who racism was directed at. Stop being stupid

[@JeffreyGoddin]

@@starlessmystery6429 Educate me. Start with your definition of racism.

[@starlessmystery6429]

They need really strong leaders like John Batiste. To give people hope and joy while sending a message of strength, openness and unity. I have nothing but respect for him!

[@susanbengston3496]

starless mystery- WE NEED STRONG LEADERS LIKE JON BATISTE!!!!!! EVERY LIVING ENTITY ON EARTH NEEDS OUR J.B.’s!!!!!

[@ingridgrattidge5637]

Love you to the moon and back! 🙏❤️🌻🙋‍♀️💕

[@janiceleeripley443]

I love him!!! He's such an amazing Human Being.

[@donnamartell9056]

Loved this interview

[@tracyclark7560]

An incredible son. I know his parents are proud of Jon Batiste, so many of us are.

[@erasmusherzen]

"This album is filled with joy. It is filled with joy... you are known as a joy giver. Anybody who kind of sees you perform.... Have you felt a tension between being a truth teller and a joy giver? "The practice of being a joy giver and bringing people that sense of catharsis and release, is a spiritual practice for me... Art is really a way to point to the truth, shine a light on the truth, art is a window to the truth. And there is joy in knowing -- even if the truth is painful.... The only way that we are going to be able to continue to fight it, and move forward, is if we know the truth..." WISDOM

[@pamcamcris]

I hope to catch Jon perform live one day... sooner rather than later!

[@pynn1000]

erasmusherzen - thank you for taking the trouble to transcribe those words.

[@philnasmith9755]

Love him, love his spirit, love his music

[@heatherstubbs6646]

Jon, you inspire me to stay joyful, no matter what. I LOVE your question, “Am I really about what I say I am.” I need to start asking myself that same question. Thank you for your honesty, your clean, genuine spirit, and your joyful expression. Truly, you are an “old soul”!

[@EmilyKnight413]

Perfectly put.

[@momishka7]

He is all light and love and joy! Keep making music!

[@LMNevada]

What a fine interview. Thank you

[@MelissaThompson432]

1) I have always admired him as an artist and a person. 2) he makes me smile.

[@landonplays3875]

👏👏👏👍🙏

[@heidis3993]

Great questions from Michel about the dynamics between joy and protest, and between sacred and secular.

[@BelleTolles]

It was a brilliant interview!

[@kaarenbock4803]

I love his advice at the end (starting at 16:00). Thank you, Jon Batiste!!

[@armandoromero5661]

that was a beautiful story

[@ShredderTainment]

Yes art is a window to the truth!!! Love you JohnB, and what a great interviewer!

[@kalyarthurs2846]

Jon gives me goosebumps when he talks sings and plays. He is beyond brilliant.

[@EmilyKnight413]

Instant goosebumps. Was just thinking this.

[@Judith1774]

Jon Batiste -- what a beautiful and blessed soul.

[@mao6832]

Jon Batiste's smile can light up the entire world!

[@mikeway7207]

This dude's spirit and talent consistently moves me to the verge of tears. Low-key obsessed and high-level grateful for Jon Batiste.

[@EmilyKnight413]

Grew up in NOLA so my “verge of tears” bar is high, he melts and calms my soul on the first note every song or public appearance. Grateful for his existence.

[@HawthorneHillNaturePreserve]

So nice to hear, especially from a black man! This guy is an example for all men, Black, White, Men Women! AMEN!

[@wellnessworldusa]

What a wonderful interview!!! Love this. Thank you for sharing.

[@kmvaami4144]

Thank you

[@linzylu3565]

Great musician and artist. Love his rendition of the Battle Hymm score he did for The Atlantic. Festival. It’s genius.

[@jolness1]

Jon is phenomenal! Such a talented musician, eloquent speaker and so kind hearted.

[@Kate-zl3zl]

One of my favorite human beings. He should be doing halftime at the Super Bowl.

[@janesmiley5213]

He is such a fine human, beautiful soul shining

[@erasmusherzen]

truth teller = joy giver

[@annenelson9270]

Love your music 🎶 👌💕

[@ravipeiris4388]

There is such an overflow of talent in this man. But, just as importantly, there is a humanity and old soul feeling about him. I would love to meet his mentors, grandparents and parents who helped influence and encouraged this young brother, Ravi Peiris M.D.

[@spinozareader]

He just exudes love and goodness.

[@steve1506]

Stephen Colbert hit a homerun getting this genius on his team.

[@poetansperry]

He is such LIGHT in the world. Destined to do great things!

[@obcl8569]

Pure joy. Pure soul. Pure truth. One in a million this guy.

[@charliseitz7221]

Must say he is fab!

[@dcmat8455]

“ Pure Joy “ ... It would be nice to see Amanda Gorman on the Steven Colbert show ... The interaction between her and Jon Batiste...as two super talented, but humble individuals would be interesting❗️ 🗣 Here’s hoping that Covid will settle long enough that “normal” Could be embraced again.

[@JRCMRamos]

Respect, Jon. I have been a fan of Colbert's show and yours for some time. I hope to see you play live someday.

[@KaarinTaipale]

Thank you for this! Amazing.

[@steph8842]

I AM SOOOO PROUD OF HIM! My heart is filled with joy for him as if he was my kin.

[@domandcolleenteachenglish4362]

"I need you" is a pure delight. Check out his video of "Don't stop" as well. Thank you Jon and thank you A&Co. Brilliant interview.

[@mistressmozart]

the live performance of Don't Stop on colbert a couple years ago is wonderful!

[@karimajor1165]

Such a fun video and Jon is just beautiful

[@tomgucwa7319]

Man that guy....press on comrade ! Simply the best.

[@TheWhokulele]

A Late Show.

[@galeg.3427]

Dear Jon Batiste, I thank you for bringing your life- giving music and healing words to our world. Your authentic voice grounds me and inspires me to dance a hopeful dance. 🙏

[@apothecareyarts4076]

Brlliant intverview, inspiring conversation. Thank you to the both of you.

[@juspatricia]

Love Jon Batiste! Beautiful in body and soul as he brings his truth and shares it with the world!

[@markdarnell614]

Jon immenates the BEST of NEW ORLEANS Passion, Intensity, Intelligence, Social Consciousness, and - JOY! He is of that line that includes The Nevilles, Marsalis, Boute, and Payton NOLA Dynasties !

[@patj4952]

AMEN

[@tracyclark7560]

Deep

[@inmaculadaconcepcion1600]

💃🏻👏👏👏👏👏💓✨💎✨This young man is "Truth" of the soul... Incarnate 🕊✨Thank 🌷🌻🌹✨Blessings, Be safe.✨🙏🏽

[@ellenw391]

This man is truly a light in the darkness! While I'm glad Colbert is using him more often, usually speaking to him,, why have I never heard him sing or do any of this on the show? What are blasted waste!

[@livmurray1958]

Tears ....he is bang on! ❤️☀️☀️☀️🙏🙏🏿🙏🏾🙏🏽🙏🏼🙏🏻kind, genuine, Compassionate, He cares+ Loves, most of all Spiritual!

[@snarlyone8419]

This guy is just awesome

[@kpepperl319]

Every time Mr. Batiste is on my screen... He makes me smile. My heart just sings. It's a reflex. Mr. Batiste is a national treasure.

[@Lantanana]

I just now realized Jon has sort of a southern accent. I live in Texas, and I think he is from Louisiana. He has a very similar accent to the accent me and my family has.

[@Virus-xm7qc]

So what he still BELONGS to ALL AMERICA, SO LEARN TO SHARE!😁

[@EmilyKnight413]

He is from new orleans.

[@clancydubh]

Jon Batiste comes off as a really good soul.

[@egonetta007]

What a pleasure watching this on a Saturday morning. Congratulations and continued successes to you Jon.

[@ollednom2780]

He’s such a good person

[@beda543]

I honestly DID NOT think I needed this conversation as much as I did! This was a true joy to listen to...continued blessings to them both!!😊

[@pjbraine2289]

I LOVE YOU, JON BATISE! THANK YOU Amanpour. & Co..... I feel deeply that Jon has the most beautiful heart and smile we need and want for all the beautiful music that humans REQUIRE! Skilled, while talented! :)))) great sense of humor - a true artist who cares about his message and what we need from music, sounds of love and fusion together as humans!!!!

[@elenazagaglia4590]

Yes indeed...What a guy.

[@essence830]

What a Spirit he's been blessed with! 💟 I've never had enough of Jon Batiste when he speaks or plays - it's always 'to short of a moment' for me! 💟 Hope he can create his own Daily Musical Show one day soon, where he will share his jazz stories, jazz musicians bios, etc. and play, play, play in between while smiling & laughing with his kind eyes. (something like Kelly Clarkson show but with pure Classy Jazz Vibe, pls!)

[@isetfrances6124]

Michele, just admiring that rainbow jewelry. Isn’t it reassuring to have this young son, a semblance of greats - from Q to The Duke! Ahhhh☺️🎼🎹 So nourishing that I’m inspired to learn piano 👏🏾

[@margiechisley3007]

You are a great young man I would feel blessed to have you as a son . God bless you.

[@elkiness]

That put a smile on my face! And a warm feeling in my life.