Music, Health, and Well-Being: Jon Batiste in Conversation with Walter Isaacson

Music can lift the spirits and help heal the body. No musician demonstrates that better than Jon Batiste, a “crowd-thrilling rebel bandleader,” according to Rolling Stone magazine. Viewers of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" know him best for the exuberant music he conducts with Stay Human. Accomplished pianist, artistic director at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, composer, and independent film buff, Batiste is also a devout Christian, whose mornings begin with a half hour of meditation and prayer. Walter Isaacson, the Aspen Institute’s president and CEO, who hails from Batiste’s hometown of New Orleans, conducts the interview.

[@birbluv9595]

If I got to choose a single American to represent the best of the United States to the world, it would be Jon Batiste.

[@vanessagang6399]

Amen!❤

[@dr.sheiladonnell6616]

I think I agree.

[@joelarkin3714]

One of my favorite humans in this wonderful world. So happy that people like him exist. His voice amplifies all of our voices. Prayers!!

[@witneyskye5556]

'It's not the music on the page'. He is a blessing. The way he explains music to the audience is so beautiful. They know what he is talking about. Brilliant in so many ways, humble in every way.

[@harriettpavonrosado5175]

I am so happy I stumbled across Jon Batiste. His old soul and beliefs resonate with me. I cannot stop looking at his videos. #stayhuman

[@ramia8412]

I just think this man is such a gift to us all

[@ruthhamilton8297]

A true angel to our world. If he was running for President, he'd be my man.

[@kamalakantanieves5371]

The combination of his great talent, and his heart full of love, moves me to the core.

[@brittajacobson2523]

What a Fine Gentleman. He pours his water in a glass. A living legend. Thank you Mr. Jon Batiste. You deserve all of the awards you’ve won.

[@Pecan215]

Loved the musical meditation. Love Jon Batiste and all that he stands for.

[@dianakurland2500]

Jon is so beautiful; inside and out. “I gotta get calibrated “

[@bertramblik8826]

[@oloveshoops94]

Incredible heart, soul!! JOYFILLED.. bless his life & cover him Lord!

[@CyndiCraven]

Amazing musician and lovely human being.

[@deemurphy1545]

Oh my dear - he is so right - his music speaks to our souls. His spiritual message resonates big time!

[@greggc.6143]

Jon is a blessing to us.

[@harriettpavonrosado5175]

"Hey"! I adore his Vincent Price's laugh. An awesome young man. Blessings to all.

[@carolesanetti1257]

What a beautiful man❤️

[@robertturner449]

His creativity is absolutely incredible, I've been hearing and playing Amazing Grace most of my life, this arrangement moved me.

[@kathe.o.]

Jon Batiste is the Music Man of the decade. Maybe of this lifetime. People don't seem to appreciate the arts for fear of loosing the other things in their lives. Thank you Jon for restoring my love of music. I lost it for about thirty years working to provide for the family when my husband JUST sent almost everything to his family back overseas. Now that the children are grown & he has passed I have your music to help restore my soul. Music restores the soul.

[@margaretschaffner9133]

What do you mean about "people" and why are you judging what humans appreciate. Or are you speaking about yourself, because you did? Like supporting your family? You contradict yourself for sure. So I'd "appreciate" you not balling me up into your projection of people. Stay blessed.

[@whitneymacdonald4396]

As I watch this, I want to go to New Orleans. Jon seems an embodiment of the depth and history of the city of New Orleans. He is born of a tradition and a flowering of its struggle to illuminate the humanity in all people, especially shining a light on those often left in the shadows. Amazing.

[@dinaosullivan3381]

Very true.Having grown up in New Orelans, I don't want to hear what is not good about this city. I want to know what is good and Jon Batiste is so very good.

[@carlettagoodrich-mann1377]

They hear the music in the Air. Breathing notes for glorious sounds .

[@jong3404]

Wise Soul. Young man.

[@lisamcmullan6484]

Cool

[@Vinniegret]

Young man. Old soul

[@janstimpert9698]

One of a kind! Amazing human@

[@josephlturbo9597]

Jon Batiste, is an amazing great pianist and of course -musician.

[@cafricanow]

The brother playing piano early Sunday morning is also the same brother who was playing till late Saturday night. That’s what it sounds like to me and it’s all good. Amen

[@Vinniegret]

He is a treasure.

[@joanjohn9500]

God Bless UUUU Jon! Your humanity, your heart, your talent, your religiosity as reflected in ur music feeeeeeds my 76 year oleeeee soul ! Thank u for all the giving & LOVEu give us!

[@Patricia-gs5ho]

Jon Batiste is a brilliant virtuoso!!!!

[@memecasey8331]

This man is a genus...

[@dinaosullivan3381]

Jon Batiste is the true musician, song writer that deserves our praise.All the others who say they write songs and do good music are not really doing it as he does.He is a special man who should last forever.

[@ZanOrion]

What a beautiful soul!

[@dinaosullivan3381]

There is no one better to lift the spirits when they are down than Jon Batiste. He's brilliant and likeable and should live for a very long time as should his wife.

[@siannonblack9706]

Hands down One of the Freshest Most Undoobitably Talented - Dr. Jon Batiste

[@TheArmstrongmusicmed]

Wonderful to work with Jon-he carries the essential aspects of Louis' 'communal' blessings and reach.

[@flintcreeksoapco.7686]

You are a gift

[@TheCatquillen]

Jon is proof there is a God. Mr. Batiste’s abilities are no accident nor coincidence.

[@stevehaas9515]

I just love this.

[@veronikaong4447]

Thank you for your wonderful insight on music , spiritual and human values. It is very inspiring to listen on your thoughts on human minds…. What a great spiritual person you are, Mr Jon Batiste , I am so fortunate listening to this interview, Big congratulation on your recent marriage , 👏👍💐🌞

[@ceciliaschmitz8171]

Feb.2024: Jon appears to me to be a modern day prophet.. a most soulful, beautiful human being!

[@maryjcahill6689]

A feel good generous entertainer who evokes positive vibes inspirational , healing a visionary . Thank you ❤

[@joannawilson7971]

The Wisdom you share is from heaven and I don't doubt you love.

[@ZanOrion]

This is not at all to distract. I love Jon Batiste! His music is beyond, beyond! Yet, I am being reminded again how brilliant he is and has a new album. And Hozier also has a new album. It crossed my mind wondering how a collaboration between them would be.

[@yanique1944]

Jon speaks and plays from his heart, authentic and real. When I feel down, I just listen to Jon!! Works every time, lifts my spirit to higher heights!

[@xaresv]

this dude is a bacon of light to this planet

[@sadiehallinger1401]

Jon's awesome.

[@sherrywhetstone2692]

Love him!

[@valenciakeller1828]

What a Wonderful World 🌎 Nicely performed Jon !

[@karenedwards3721]

Street music all over the world in solidarity for Ukraine. Love and piece

[@yxzzczzzacazoarski4843]

John B is an amazing human being !

[@jayattipoe6597]

I know what you mean. But just as a reminder there's an r n b singer from the 90's called Jon B. Check him out.

[@Vejur9000]

Jon is not only gifted, surrounded by great artists all his life, but he is as genuine a person, as he is an artist. It doesn’t hurt to be young and cute too, after just winning the Oscar either. I’m just sayin...

[@lynnchapman2211]

If you love Jon Batiste you must see the movie American Symphony...amazing!

[@skimanization]

Incredibly brilliant and amazing!

[@bilhas52]

Miles Davis did the very thing that Jon said he didn't do. One example is Miles doing Michael Jackson's "human nature ". Jazz normally consists of "pop"(popular) music. Coltrane's most popular known recording is "my favorite things " from the named popular song at the time. At the time of all the jazz giants of the 40s,50s, 60s, going into the 70s, popular music was always jazzed up and given improvisational interpretations. Improvisation really means improve upon. In new Orleans, "when the saints go marching in" was and is jazzed up in only a way that new Orleans musicians would create. So what Jon's trying to do is a jazz, r&b,and many more styles of music type tradition. The saying there's nothing new under the sun resonates a lot of truth.Sometimes more thought has to be put into our thinking before we think we have an absolute. Jon has learned a lot from wynton marcellus but he needs to listen to wynton more and credit him more for reviving jazz and the culture it emanated from.

[@BeverlyBusch]

Thank you.

[@chefsize]

He didn’t really know What A Wonderful World off-hand though, did he? Classic musician move while searching for all the changes. I mean, I’ve done it. He rallied beautifully though & made it something new.

[@iboe403]

He has played What a Wonderful World many times. Each version is different - that's what he does with his incredible talent. Just search for his videos performing it.

[@dancingfrogable]

Ukraine, Russia, politics, pandemic, death - and this is the antidote.

[@margaretschaffner9133]

WoW someone "normal"

[@biancas2639]

WWWOOOOOOWWW

[@SabianCarthen]

9:46

[@carlettagoodrich-mann1377]

Music is math and science.

[@kjmav10135]

…and magic!