Simon Helberg vs. Jon Batiste: Mozart Piano Battle

The "Big Bang Theory" actor, who stars in the new movie "Florence Foster Jenkins," joins Jon Batiste on piano for a rendition of Mozart's "Queen of the Night."
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Stephen Colbert took over as host of The Late Show on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015. Colbert is best known for his work as a television host, writer, actor, and producer, and best known for his charity work teaching English as a second language on Tunisian date farms. Prior to joining the CBS family -- and being officially adopted by network president Les Moonves -- Colbert helmed “The Colbert Report,” which aired nearly 1,500 episodes and required Stephen to wear nearly 1,500 different neckties. The program received two Peabody Awards, two Grammy Awards, and several unwelcome shoulder massages. It won two Emmys for Outstanding Variety Series in 2013 and 2014, both of which appear to have been lost in the move. Colbert is pronounced koʊlˈbɛər, according to Wikipedia. His understudy is William Cavanaugh, who will be hosting The Late Show approximately one third of the time. Good luck, Bill!"

[@SirDrinksAlot]

"Jon you know opera?" "Yeah I know opera, I went to Juilliard." That was actually pretty damn cool.

[@joebroadbeef332]

U damn right it was pretty cool!!! #CoolGeeksRule!!!!

[@TheWinterDaughter]

Ya....I heard about opera when I WAS AT JULLIARD!

[@hollyb6885]

Ohhhhhhhh SNAP!

[@camq-py7bs]

The coolest person who ever said "yeah I know opera, I went to Juilliard"

[@biancatellington85]

camq0789 It would have been cooler if he said he went to Curtis.

[@brucegelman9671]

Keith Jarrett went to Julliard for about a minute and said I dont need this nonsense.

[@maryrosekent8223]

Bruce Gelman I saw Keith Jarrett at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco probably 30 years ago. It was fantastic.

[@IZn0g0uDatAll]

Going to Julliard is pretty cool in itself.

[@Eristhenes]

@@brucegelman9671 Yeah, I had a teacher who went to Julliard and he said he learned more at Trenton State pursuing his Master's. His contention was if you already have to be at the top when you enter, where is the growth?

[@papillonvu]

Can we just get another 7 minutes of Simon Helberg and Jon Baptiste improv’ing together!

[@shirleyrombough8173]

Amazing. "Yeah, I know a little opera," and proceeds to improvise on Mozart's "Queen of the Night." Both of them. Bravi!

[@ThePixieixie]

Please!!

[@zippyzipster46]

They weren’t improving. Good grief people! Staged and practiced over and over. Read up on how these shows are run.

[@kendallamerige7300]

Trátate bien

[@kendallamerige7300]

@@shirleyrombough8173 en

[@jeffhsu7027]

And now, 5 years later, Jon has 11 Grammy nominations

[@g.cosper8306]

And 5 major wins now!

[@goldenmarie2555]

And an Oscar, Peabody and the hits keep coming.

[@ThePoushal]

So has Louis CK. Do Grammy count anymore?

[@JeffreyGoddin]

@@ThePoushal Yes, Louis is amazing. Learn to separate the art from the artist. And possibly forgiveness.

[@ThePoushal]

@@JeffreyGoddin lol I am a huge Louis CK. What are you on about?

[@jonoesquirryl]

Simon Helberg is nervous in public guys, he's not on crack, leave him alone.

[@sasukesarutobi3862]

They've obviously never had to amp themselves up for something they're nervous about.

[@xaaronbeleskyx]

he acts in front of crowds like this every day. lol? He's not nervous. He's bein a goof

[@striffee1542]

@@xaaronbeleskyx There's a difference between acting and a one on one interview in front of a crowd.

[@pmn029]

I don't see you idiots commenting about the last time you were on a talk show.

[@justmindset]

Why not both?

[@danerang]

I want a full 5 minute track of that jam session they had at the end I loved it

[@nasus4848]

or more!

[@KevinP32270]

ABSOLUTELY.

[@barakaben]

Definitely. Could anyone recommend any other songs similar to this please?

[@alexf9901]

I would love that

[@marinaproger2324]

More yes. More than 5 min.

[@cynicallyhopeful]

If I wasn't in love with Jon Batiste before, I certainly stand corrected. How can one man have so much talent and humble swagger all at the same time?? "Yeah, I know some opera... I went to Julliard."

[@Toywins]

His swag is the best, he's humble and thats what makes him so enjoyable!

[@anonymousR7]

humble brag you mean?

[@exzinerlloyd5470]

Yes ma’am

[@oldschooloc2110]

Yes! The truly great ones are like that. Go on with your bad self, Jon!

[@jamestierney2531]

I agree. Classic modesty from Jon Batiste, who is essentially saying. .”Yeah, I went to this little-known, obscure, third-rate music school….Juilliard.” And then saying, “Hold my beer…and watch this..” You gotta love it..

[@PrinceofGreatness]

They turned Mozart into Jazz.

[@cottonrayne5060]

PrinceofGreatness Listen to Blue Rondo a la Turque by the Dave Brubeck Quartet...based on Mozarts' Turkish Rondo. Mozart melodies and jazz interpretations...perfect match.

[@jeffwagner8175]

Damn travesty what idiots do to classical music if they don't trash it by turning it to jazz they ruin it all together turning it into HipHop.

[@adamdonahue2079]

PrinceofGreatness They should’ve tried Bach.

[@winteriscoming4909]

@@jeffwagner8175 At least it sounds way better to me than the original!! I can listen to this all day

[@KryzMasta]

Jeff Wagner Are you one of those two grandpas on The Muppet Show?

[@NerdDrunk]

Simon Helberg is mega talented. Dude's only scratched the surface in his career.

[@FVWhimsy2010]

extremely MULTI-talented....

[@BlackRose0555]

agree

[@jeremybuckets]

Honestly Simon is wasted on The Big Bang Theory. It's such a milquetoast show you don't realize how talented or funny he actually is.

[@OlafProt]

@@jeremybuckets I wouldnt say wasted, but when you see him tower over almost everyone in his small part in A Serious Man, then you go "ohhhhh i get it.."

[@oscarinacan]

Why is it called a battle? They weren't competing, they were collaborating.

[@car3ss]

So people will click the link and watch... “battle!” entices even non music fans, people love things with winners and losers. “Collaboration”... isn’t as enticing to people. The way of the world these days, gotta get those clicks.

[@kickedinthecalfbyacow7549]

‘Battling pianos” or “duelling pianos” has been around for over 100 years. If you ever visit San Diego you will discover there is a piano battle in ever 3rd bar.

[@robinsonshe06]

@@kickedinthecalfbyacow7549 - “ dueling” - lol 😂🥰😍 they were cute, right?

[@wiseonwords]

@@kickedinthecalfbyacow7549 - Back in the day, Beethoven had quite the reputation in Vienna for winning piano battles.

[@advaitkkumar]

c l i c k b a i t

[@MsSHINeeTVXQSuju]

for those, like myself, who came for the piano playing: 5:40, you're welcome ^^ pretty good stuff, I must say :P

[@Gam3Junkie]

thanks

[@Camila-iv6pz]

Thanks!

[@dr.rferrie2068]

were you annoyed by the clapping too :D :D

[@MsSHINeeTVXQSuju]

***** lolz...I read the title and came to have a listen...turns out that the title was somewhat misleading...the interview was part of the video (I don't know who this guy is...so I skipped it), it wasn't just the clip of them playing ^^

[@luthoefese1107]

what does clutch mean?

[@TangiersIntrigue]

Jon Batiste is an amazing musician. Stephen is really lucky to have him on his show.

[@angelasotheraccount]

I'm so glad Stephen asked and Jon said yes. Didn't know a thing about him before, but I am absolutely a fan now.

[@1978Calamity]

He really is. Lol!

[@dctrbrass]

Yeah good one; good knowledge of the language. Nice to see that musicians are still getting jobs on a few big stages. They're usually ignored in favor of entertainers, for whatever reason.

[@rachelwood9438]

Hes awesome and very pleasant to look at 😍

[@robinsonshe06]

@@rachelwood9438 🥰😍🥰😍🥰- right???

[@IceColdProfessional]

Jon Baptiste cannot be fucked with!

[@NS1973]

Neither can Jon Batiste.

[@IceColdProfessional]

TheNightShadow Fuck yeah!

[@KevinP32270]

he is amazing. is he from haiti?

[@MrDustinmcphate]

New Orleans

[@IceColdProfessional]

Naw'lins.

[@Winteramen]

i love how he plays is clean at first, not to overstep on Jon, then after a little twist from Baptiste, he's like "okay, gotta jazz it up a little"

[@LochNessAnthony]

He could barely play

[@avidadolares]

No... you dont just start off full guns ablaze....you build up to it. Just like a movie or story doesnt jump straight into the climactic moments.

[@mayap6055]

Great showmanship

[@teslah2997]

@@LochNessAnthony you evidently know nothing about music....he stepped up his “jazz” game quite nicely

[@mgg5418]

@@LochNessAnthony yeah… when you don’t know what you’re talking about it’s better to just not say anything buddy 😏

[@Blullaby]

LATE SHOW, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR ?? EVERYONE HAS BEEN BEGGING FOR IT !!! PLEASE HAVE JON-BATISTE AND SIMON REPLAY THIS AND MAKE IT THE WHOLE SONG ! WE'D DEFINITELY PAY FOR IT, IT'S RIDICULOUSLY GORGEOUS. (Don't know how many times I've replayed this but I can't get enough, even six months later ^^')

[@NeilSahay]

Blu Amen to that. I feel like I'm responsible for half of the views on this video. I would definitely buy an album if they made one!

[@mayap6055]

I concur !! Late show give Jon more time to Do his musical thing. It’s so refreshing to hear real music on tv. He’s the only person doing this kind of great improvising in the main stream.

[@maggiemcginley4640]

That would be wonderful..

[@aklevin]

Would 100% pay for a whole song!!!

[@Beeburrito]

I got mad respect for Jon Bastite

[@DragonZerul]

get his name right and maybe i'll believe you :P

[@louis-philippeharnois-arel1981]

+Zerul Jon Batits?

[@DragonZerul]

Jon Buttiste

[@mattomoros]

Jon Bat-Twist

[@Hollyweed1]

Jon Bassist

[@HuBrIsRaDiO]

That break was one of the sickest things I've ever heard. I need this as a full track.

[@kindlychill5071]

*does a line of cocaine* Floor manager: "YOU'RE ON! GOGO" *runs out*

[@HOLYNipplecrust99]

My thoughts exactly

[@makanekmalek]

does a LAST line of coaine.

[@digglebick]

you're letting him off easy assuming he's on drugs. he's just genuinely that awkward and bad at improv comedy. Fell flat on his face on every joke he tried making

[@dayleclarke4433]

+vanisher911 ha, 'improv comedy'. These late shows are all pre-planned down to the conversation. It's what made Ferguson so good.

[@nickedwards9287]

Dayle Clarke i hope you are tryin to be funny, cause you took the one talk show that didn't have pre planned interveiws as an example... lol

[@deliaklager766]

I was a bit sad when Stephen cut them off, I could have watched that for much longer =D

[@barlovesnoop]

What do we need to do in order to get the full version of that jazzy Queen Of The Night that Jon and Simon did? Because I'll do it.

[@jaronoutlaw2176]

jon batiste is too good.

[@annabelvb]

Saw him in concert last month, absolute don

[@JohannesWiberg]

Yeah well you can hear that Simon Helberg certainly wasn't lying, he can really play... but compare anyone to someone who actually plays for a living and has done so all his life successfully... well that's just not fair :D

[@gateauxq4604]

He's really grown into being a solid band leader and overall foil for SC. Definately a keeper!

[@David95210]

Unfortunately I feel that despite his musical prowess JB's interactions with SC are awkward and unentertaining. He doesn't make jokes like Conan's, Kimmel's, or Fallon's sidekicks and mostly just says OH NO or laughs uncomfortably. It's tough to be a bandleader and a sidekick if you aren't funny like Max Weinberg or Questlove.

[@JohannesWiberg]

David95210 Agreed 100%. I find it very cringeworthy that he really seems to play into the "black sidekick" stereotype, saying "daaayum", overreacting and stuff. Not a good pick.

[@ericdaniel323]

The joke about not being good-looking enough to be bad sailed right past the audience.

[@loveshine7819]

Totally heard that 🙌🏽🤓

[@barbarahamlyn922]

Poor guy! That wasn’t the only thing the audience missed!! It wasn’t a very responsive audience at all!! At least the tv viewers could still enjoy what he said- but to him, he probably felt like everything he said fell flat! HE was cool- the AUDIENCE fell flat! So Glad he got a good response as he went out showing his piano-playing chops!!

[@spdutahraptor777]

A lot of what he said went past the audience

[@raptornomad1221]

Damn, Juliard? You go, Jon!

[@raptornomad1221]

***** I'll be sure to check it out!

[@rasaecnai]

he was the valedictorian of his class and he also got his masters there...masters of music, i didnt even know there was somethng like that

[@matthewhovda5989]

rasaecnai pretty much all collegiate and professional conductors have their doctorate in music

[@jerometaylor4243]

@@rasaecnai OMG!!!!! I'm done!!!!!!

[@tvremote9394]

"have you played with Jon Baptiste?" "Who's that?" That's when Jon thought "I'm gonna make sure this bitch remembers my name after this"

[@MsZoe85]

Jerrin Thomas I’m sure that was just a joke. Jon Baptist is very well known, certainly among (ex) musicians

[@steveknows62]

Like it wasn't planned in advance? You're an easy mark.

[@buuzzsawtouchedme194]

+steveknows62, It surprises me when people don't realise how set up these shows are. They are literally following a script, not word for word, but basically the questions are agreed to in advance (because look what happens when News reporter for example asks a questions a little bit too personal, the person walks off). The answers are partly rehearsed (possibly if there is a joke involved, but mostly the answers are improvised), and as for asking the guest to partake in something like Piano or singing etc, you need to know in advance if they are ready i.e. they don't want to make a fool of themselves. An also what most people don't understand is that chat shows are entertainment, so the idea is to entertain the audience, so unless you have the best improv comedian's on the stage (it ain't going to work). P.S. There is one who could carry the whole show by himself, and that was Mohammad Ali, very quick witted, very intelligent guy, not too many people are as entertaining as him.

[@steveknows62]

Thanks for your reply. I remember being at the taping of your show on the 2nd anniversary of 9/11 where the topic was PMS. I asked you, or your guest, a question that pertained to my then girlfriend, and then, never heard the end of it. Shoulda known better.

[@buuzzsawtouchedme194]

+steveknows62, Well that's show business, if I can't answer the question, I tend to reject it (sometimes I have my security escort people out of the building if I'm really under pressure). But online I'm a bit more honest, a bit more real.

[@aritradattagupta9181]

Why am I seeing this now? KZbin, it's your fault. I want a full album from Jon Batiste and Simon Helberg.

[@annemccarron2281]

Wouldn't that be nice !

[@karens9367]

Is anyone listening?

[@stubbz8726]

That's an American talk show for you - just when it gets interesting "WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@android12921]

I hate it when it becomes something that we fill up between two Ad breaks.

[@mdgraller]

And people clapping on every beat of a jazz performance

[@fratdawgg23]

Wonder if Mozart had any clue his music would still be enjoyed 200-plus years after he wrote it?!

[@AmKDWIFE]

ikr!! I think about that too. Especially after watching Amadeus!

[@alejandrolugo8743]

there some Mexican "corridos" that are older and still popular. shitty music last the longest.

[@samshorto5433]

That is absolute bullshit. Only the best music lasts. You know why people are always saying "Oh music was much better in the (insert time period here)"? It's because only the best music from that generation gets remembered and enjoyed over decades and centuries, and the crap gets forgotten.

[@cjua2803]

+Sam Shorto theres going to be a large blackout in the 2010s when people look back on the "pop" music

[@donniemontoya9300]

in his day, classical music was considered a fad. it would fade out in a few years and be hated after.

[@BboyBabyCAkes]

That piano collab was 🔥🔥🔥I got so hyped. Classical yet funky vibes

[@gtwgtwgtw]

Oh man...Simon is soooo good, and at 6:12, you can see that he sees how amazing Jon is. I love seeing things like that. The people that I think are amazing still see how much more amazing others are too.

[@saltcitytutoring8976]

I started laughing when he asked baptiste if he knew opera and he said.. Yeah i went to Juilliard..thats like asking michael phelps if he can swim. Lol

[@primitivochapa7837]

Whose Michael Phelps does he play piano

[@firmanchristiansianturi4794]

@@primitivochapa7837 Olympic swimmer

[@deformercr6680]

@@firmanchristiansianturi4794 whoosh

[@firmanchristiansianturi4794]

@@deformercr6680 sure

[@robinsonshe06]

Lmfao.!,,, yup

[@dearmakeupdiary]

I don't think he's into any drugs. It's just his personality and a bit of acting too. People just go too far with the comments.

[@reactionaryjewishintellect2261]

DearMakeUpDiary Sadly mistaken

[@ginger2153]

Yeah, he just seemed a bit nervous.

[@ElfriedeHattenkerl]

Or coke

[@MrRoach0662]

Clearly you ve never done cocaine

[@walther7147]

DearMakeUpDiary perhaps an aspie

[@sarahb.ocasio7937]

Simon Helberg is a genius in every aspect of his life.

[@ingloriousbasterd3067]

That piano duo riff was fucking awesome...I would buy an album.

[@trashleigh87]

I come back to this clip every couple of years it’s so excellent. The jamming at the end is exquisite. excellent entertainers

[@johananpremkumar1657]

I’ve been coming back to this clip every couple of minutes. Dang so good!

[@kjamison5951]

“Have you played with Jon Batiste?” “Who’s that?” Helberg, you gonna get played now!

[@that1weirdkid27]

That piano battle was seriously sexy.

[@robinsonshe06]

Sexiness was off the damn charts 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@jabarilucas8100]

That moment when you realize that they improvised something in 30 seconds far more musically creative then what most of the popular music "artists" of today takes months to conjure...

[@noobestofdamall]

Classically trained musicians vs pop "musicians" in a nutshell.

[@luryas626]

@@noobestofdamall pull yourself together. It's like comparing kids football with liverpool

[@KellyKar]

These things are usually pre-rehearsed. But your point is still valid

[@socotroquito2007]

I don’t care if it was rehearsed, that is genius

[@maxducoudray]

You think pop music takes months to write?

[@belforio]

When Simon said, "who's that?" I was like, "oohhhhhhh helllllll no!" I know of course it was all part of the act, but it was just funny to hear.

[@Fern635]

Both are very good... but you can tell by their faces that Simon is working super hard and Jon is just having fun.

[@technoclutter4003]

To be fair Jon is providing backing core as well Simon is doing a bit more of a technical play there. But if you were to ask me which one is more talented on the piano I would have to say Jon, the dude is a legend

[@TheWinterDaughter]

no kidding...@@technoclutter4003

[@BTSheart]

Jon has magic fingers, the man is extraordinary. So happy that Freedom has got all the recognitions

[@Bergenslarsen]

Ohh! That jam should've gone on uninterrupted!

[@samanthaeldredge4007]

Cocaine is one hell of a drug.

[@luvyou-baby]

anxiety is one hell of a mental illness

[@ThomasBaxter]

+luvyou baby yeah, but I mean... the cocaine still has a role in it.

[@luvyou-baby]

***** nah he looks very uncomfortable and stressed out , that doesnt look like someone on cocaine- i think

[@kenzofinucane4057]

+luvyou baby hm to me it looks like he acts like that on purpose

[@kenzofinucane4057]

+luvyou baby at least partly

[@AlexWilliams-qb4go]

"Yeah I know opera, I went to Julliard."

[@wishingonthemoon1]

“I played jazz and rock. I never got into opera; I wasn’t that cool.” Me, a pianist and classically trained opera singer: 😭🥰😭🥰 I’m so flattered. Hey tho, he is very talented.

[@antgarcia62]

5:23 "Have you ever played with Jon Batiste?" "Who's that?" THE AUDACITY OF THE MAN!!!

[@SheriSoltes]

Yeah, that was awkward.

[@winterhorsesfarm1609]

Pretty sure that was scripted, lol. I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't play a bit together before the show.

[@myrnashoults9735]

I wasn’t sure if he was trying to be funny when he said that

[@babs2902]

@@winterhorsesfarm1609 that was very scripted

[@em.415]

@@myrnashoults9735 Yea it was a joke

[@amerie1987]

I kind of need the whole Jon Batiste's Queen of the Night Jazz rendition now!

[@gailbug]

I didn't know I could love Jon Baptiste any more than I already do, but his joyful generosity is inspiring.

[@aaryamannambiar6677]

Confidence, Positivity, Infectious Energy = Jon Batiste.

[@anniemack6855]

Just 4 fun.. wud like 2 see Jon and Cruise discussing an agreed upon topic somewhere...tom and jon reek of cofident positivity. ( in a good way- of course!!) 😁😁😃😄😍🤩

[@kdbh5423]

He’s actually really good looking without the bowl cut

[@davidemigh446]

That moment when the quiet guy just lays it down

[@delfin7461]

I hope he goes on to have a great film career, he's very good in "Florence Foster Jenkins" - he's got great comic timing, does super impressions and is a very good musician.

[@Custerd1]

His impressions are awesome, and he's obviously a talented musician. The best of the Big Bang Theory ensemble, in my opinion.

[@TastemyAtrocity]

Stephen Colbert thinkin he finally has his big break, being on Jon Baptiste’s show. The other musicians standing there like “fuck, this is another level. Just pretend like you’re doing something”

[@AlonzoJamie]

The dislikes didn't make it to 5:54

[@Bsouls5678]

Been sitting here all night watching Late Show clips that feature Jon Batiste, and slowly falling in love him and his talent

[@galecadywilliams4078]

That was so fun, when Helberg realized he had been a turd and then released himself to funk it up with Jon. That was truly great and made up for the embarrassing "do you know how to play..." gaffe and the "who's that?" woah. Because Jon Batiste is a bonafide, certified, prodigy.

[@calisongbird]

omg the whole thing was staged and rehearsed. He knew exactly who Jon Batiste was.

[@marlamay]

Nah, I don't think so. Jon wasn't as well known 7 yrs ago when this was recorded.

[@da96103]

The interview part was a bit cringey. What's wrong with Helberg? He was quite okay with interviews at UK for the movie.

[@samanthaadioetomo5480]

Honestly, I think it's the audience. They were super quite during Viola Davis, too...

[@TheGeneralThings]

Cocaine. Plenty of cocaine.

[@donniemontoya9300]

coke baby. lots and lots of coke

[@mrevilducky]

cocaine is a hell of a drug

[@wesbecool]

you lot cringe too easy XD

[@CrystalsandCandles]

What a strange little dude.... And what a great talent. Loved the piano duel and wish there was more of it.

[@amalofoto]

Jon Baptiste is unfuckwithable. Mad props

[@christopherjohnson8262]

Hedwig Art too funny

[@loknloll]

How does someone put that much soul and swing, and dare I say funk into Mozart?

[@mariebonytathelusma9381]

Grammy Award winner Jon Baptiste! Well deserved! Handsome and talented!

[@beagle0811]

Jon Baptiste is too hip for the room! Love him.

[@calisongbird]

*Batiste

[@draetonalimoffatt8780]

@@calisongbird colbert pronounces it wrong often. Ba-tiste not bap-tiste.

[@Daskaar]

wouldnt it suck if you were part of a wildly succesful but shitty show like tbbt? it would define ur career

[@notbob555]

If everyone thought it was shitty, it wouldn't be successful. So no, it wouldn't. Just because you do, doesn't mean everyone does. Seriously, how would it be successful if everyone thought it was bad?

[@nh-a6713]

+Daskaar the only reason people think its bad is because its so popular, its still a pretty good show and he gets paid millions for it so i imagine hes ok

[@crispybacon4240]

I think it was good until the last two or three seasons (I don't know, I stopped watching). One of those shows I really wish would have ended on a high note, rather than being driven into the ground (like The Simpsons, for example).

[@gavincaesar3999]

+Noah haoN It's bad man. That's probably why it's popular. For some reason people like shit.

[@nh-a6713]

Diglit Dover Whats actually bad about it?

[@Beatlesfanish]

Is it me or was Simon super nervous? Kudos to Stephen for slowly getting him to calm down. You can really see the pro here Both men are great at what they do

[@ArshBstudyplaylife]

Indeed they are !

[@TheRozberry]

When a brotha that cool says "I went to Juilliard" you know he tore it up at the school!!!

[@Nayops23]

6:08 ^ Simons reaction always gets me😅👏🏼

[@graysonjefferson8852]

I love Jon so much

[@kunalmadan]

Simon Helberg should play Nicolas Cage in Cages' biopic :)

[@vksherlockholmes]

That's gonna be tough because he's gonna act in every movie ever

[@subzerobeatsscorpion]

Kunal Madan he does a great Nicolas Cage impression

[@kevinnelson66]

Simon should be cast as Billy Joel in a biopic. He and Billy have similar eyes. He could probably mimic Billy's piano playing while lipsyncing the lyrics. He would probably have to work on the New York accent.

[@someshwarrao8382]

Only Nicolas Cage can play Nicolas Cage in his biopic.

[@Dream0Asylum]

It's funny because he does a pretty good impression of Ben Stiller doing an impression of Nicolas Cage.

[@OldFellaDave]

Would you like to play something with John Batiste?? ... who's that?? he says ... OUCH!!

[@jslick8885]

Jon Batiste on the piano was like "remember my name"

[@thett2368]

That was fucking hilarious

[@kaiserdb]

I agree with mipmip, it seemed to me like the event was scripted, including the "who's that" but it didn't end up registering as funny as it might have felt in the writer's room. Batiste is absolutely brilliant on piano though, wow.

[@grotriansteinweg3823]

totally scripted and rehearsed. somebody doesn't go on to advertise without being prepared. what do you think these guys do during the day before they go to work? they prepare...

[@tiblu68]

I’m glad Jon is off living his best life and dedicating himself to his music but I miss him so much on this show. He was always such a beautifully bright spot on here. And this with Simon is amazing ❣️

[@hjssteady1240]

i love how into the music he is at the end. he's too distracted to look into the camera whilst stephen is promoting his movie. what a great musician

[@ericstone5972]

That turn around lick he drops at 6:40 jams so hard!

[@jerichothedrifter60]

John Batiste is a super knocked out player and his band has a KICK ASS rhythm section. That's the kind of rhythm section you want in YOUR band.

[@anrina]

Jon Batiste and Stay Human are awesome!! I wish we got to see the whole thing instead of cutting to commercial. They should just have their own featured playlist on this channel for the stuff they do over commercial break.

[@seankeller8291]

The Late Show EP is on Spotify, & has some of that.

[@Blullaby]

Sean Keller This is major news !! Thanks bro (: !

[@johnpleung]

you don't know what my band wants, jerry

[@eclatinternational.875]

@@Blullaby did you find it?

[@amapparatistkwabena]

They killed that! Jon Baptiste: you're amazing, bro!

[@charlesbronson2926]

To people saying this is staged, I doubt they would have Simon disrespect Jon by pretending to not know who he is for a bit. I say it’s real, but either way the music was a vibe

[@angemaidment5640]

He’s like a cross between Jeff Goldblum, Nic Cage and Robin Williams 🤣🤣🤣

[@tealandread]

"I went to Juliard"

[@SimrohnIftekhar]

That sounded so good! Especially when they came together in the end!

[@catherinefisher8534]

Ohhhh. I love Jon Batiste's piano playing ❤🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤🤍

[@Nuggiismand]

Ohh why did they cut it there!!! Would love to hear them continue that!!

[@juliette8130]

Jon Baptiste could be an actor. He's tall, slim, handsome...

[@apocbible]

Do the Nic Cage impression already

[@amyhall-shalvoy2359]

Simon was so much more interested in playing than in promoting. Love hearing the two of them together!

[@calebwilford]

5:20 for the music, you aren't missing anything before

[@traffic800]

Might as well just skip to the end, not a very good improvisation by the actor.

[@Candyroxnrulz]

+Erich von Manstein uh, cos ur a concert pianist with 10 consecutive wins in the international piano competition and has been accompanied by many famous orchestras from all over he world?

[@xxSennaxx]

You don't need to be a professional pianist to judge some else's playing lol. He struggled to keep up improv-wise and beat-wise. Ofc no shame in that- I would certainly expect that a guy who got his master's from Juilliard would do better than Simon Helberh haha!

[@samanthadamico1579]

calebwilford thank you

[@venessadm300]

This is like when you're at a jazz or blue bar and someone would come up. Watch them just jam and riff off eachother for minutes.

[@mistadomino]

That part at the end when Simon and Jon got on the keys... *magic* Jon is pure joy!

[@chingtraveler2012]

I really hope Simon was joking when he said “Who’s that?”

[@physicsguybrian]

The amount of shear raw talent is staggering!!!! Thank you Stephen for bringing much needed light to an ever darkening world!!! Thank you Jon and Simon for being that light on this day!!!

[@sandratobias2158]

This is a beautiful moment between the two. I keep on re-watching the end of the clip.

[@ChicaTikkaMasala]

My god humans are amazing.... especially these two amazing humans.

[@ajanicunningham9617]

This ended way too soon

[@elaeria]

I think that was the best rendition of Queen of the Night that I've ever heard. I would buy that recording!!

[@Jah_LEASE_yah]

Having a lot of energy doesn't have to mean cocaine. Geez.

[@KaninTuzi]

Please see the eyes

[@kevinnelson66]

I know a few people who are bug eyed, but they've never done drugs. That's just how they look naturally.

[@LazyIRanch]

I'm bipolar, people have accused me of being on coke when I'm in a manic phase. I think Simon is enormously talented and a perfectionist, so he's nervous during interviews. You don't get to his level of success by doing drugs, at least not for long.

[@TheNinnyfee]

Absolutely. That was natural nervousness. I have never taken cocaine in my life and I could be like this when nervous. His shoulders were almost next to his ears.

[@RT22-pb2pp]

I am 57 and can get hyper at times. I have never weighed more than 135 lbs. I have a high. mobtabolism , I work circles around 30 yr old. Some folks are just high energy. Friend told me he would love to see me on cocaine, just to prove people can move at speed of light lol. All my life I always hear, slow down, but to me it is normal pace. I slow down I make mistakes. Few but some of us just do things at our own pace, which happens to damn fast.

[@MissJoaniB]

Could there be an album of collabs between Jon Batiste and guests such as this? I get this version of Queen of the Night stuck in my head and it's hard to shake out!

[@nirmitpatel132]

When KZbin spits out this gem during quarantine made me so happy

[@cassandraalls5633]

Just noticed how distinguished Hugh Grant is these days🥰

[@DioOmicida]

If they created a collab album, I'd probably buy it.

[@AceDRoses]

Best Nic Cage impression, ever..

[@Mindbulletz]

_That's_ what it was!

[@stellashepherd844]

Fábio Rodrigues I loved Studio 60.

[@captainlaurapicard]

HUGH LAURIE FOR THE NEXT PIANO "BATTLE"...not so much a battle as highly creative people coming together to make a collaborative melodic experience through skilled improvisation.

[@davidward1171]

If you continue to watch Colbert, and Jon is playing from home he Almost NEVER looks at the keys when he plays. My, wife who plays piano and is not easily impressed is blown away by that every single time he does it!

[@dpedrosoliano]

he's like a cross of Nicolas Cage/Ben Stiller with a modern day Martin Short mannerisms