Jon Batiste talks about video game music | The Washington Post

Jon Batiste explains why video games like Street Fighter II and Sonic the Hedgehog have influenced the music he plays on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." Listen to a medley of his best video game remixes. Subscribe to The Washington Post on KZbin: wapo.st/2QOdcqK
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[@DragonQuarter]

This was awesome, and Jon Batiste is awesome. I think there was a missed opportunity to pay specific kudos to the composers of these tunes, however. If people feel the need to bring up "John Williams" when calling to mind Jurassic Park or Star Wars and "Alan Silvestri" when calling to mind Back to the Future and The Avengers, the same should be done for games: *Nobuo Uematsu - "Opening Bombing Mission" - Final Fantasy VII *Tetris (Old Russian Folk Song; Game Boy version was done by Hip Tanaka) *Yoko Shimomura - "Guile's Theme" - Street Fighter II *Koji Kondo - "Song of Storms" - The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time + "Level 1-1" from Super Mario Bros. *Masato Nakamura - "Green Hill Zone" - Sonic the Hedgehog

[@AlexRN]

This should be the top comment.

[@lion037]

Bless you sir/madame.

[@alb.harper3621]

Only one you missed, I think, was the first song Jon plays *Jon Hey (Arcade) Rick Fox (Genesis/SNES) - NBA Jam

[@demantim]

Great comment. The Russian folk song is called Korobushka.

[@danschiffmacher1443]

I'd pay all the money for him to do an entire album of video game music.

[@ashketchum8046]

Undertale music cover would be insanely good

[@og3777]

SAME

[@nicholaswhaling7233]

I wonder if he's familiar at all with Touhou.

[@enriquepena2009]

I'd pay BIG money to hear it LIVE

[@BonJoviBeatlesLedZep]

@@ashketchum8046 YES. I wonder if he's played Undertale. He would do amazing arrangements of those songs

[@insaneintherainmusic]

So happy to see someone in the public eye bringing attention to game music like this, especially jazz video game music :)

[@Apronika]

He should play SINNOH MUSIC

[@ash_has_risen]

yessirrrrr :)

[@Launcher]

Sorry for replying a year later! But we just moved to a KZbin channel separate from the main Washington Post channel and wanted to say thank you for this comment! We're big fans of your work, and we look forward to doing more stories about gaming music in the future!

[@RedZeshinX]

This explains those Zelda lead-in songs for interviews during the Late Show! So it IS Batiste, awesome! And man, is he ever AMAZING on the piano or what? And such a nuanced, sophisticated view of music and its relationship with other media, not many artists have that kind of worldly way of thinking about compositions, color me impressed.

[@AlexRN]

RedZeshinX he hasn’t only done Zelda. He has also done at least Street Fighter, Final Fantasy 7 and Sonic the Hedgehog. And those are only the ones I’ve heard myself.

[@vercoda9997]

Games composers are often underappreciated, when the best have exceptional skills and creativity. Glad he celebrates that too...

[@deltav864]

I think it gets snubbed so often because the composers had so little to work with and for a whole bunch of them it was their first time composing (talking 8-bit/16-bit era here, nowadays they just get a 'real' composer and orchestra), yet still managed to create some awesome memorable tunes. And side-note: I think if you'd rearrange the Shadow of the Colossus soundtrack in a classical piece you could play it in concert halls for the 'traditional audience' and not have them notice it wasn't a well-known classical composition. There's musical motifs in Brahms Violin concert that straight up give me flashbacks of climbing some colossi.

[@curryking1]

I was not expecting to listen to Mr. Batiste play music from Final Fantasy VII and X this morning, or Street Fighter and Zelda. Amazing. I have no musical talent but I love the musics and stories he is drawing from in videogames. Very cool!

[@piratelechuck1911]

Did anyone else have a moment when he started playing "Green Hill Zone"? 💕

[@demantim]

He seems to get a little teary-eyed himself as well =) .

[@eg8580]

Imagine if he played starlight zone, he be T_T

[@robsonclark9678]

He has a full version of Green Hill Zone on his "Hollywood Africans" album, its excellent! So dreamy :).

[@itsyajay412]

He lived in my building in the city. He left to be in the band. Proud of him :)

[@chrisbradshaw6099]

man, I could watch a two hour version of this video

[@BucketCapacity]

Going from Song of Storms to My Favorite Things blew my mind.

[@Richardiba]

Indeed. Great hearing him flow like McCoy Tyner over those keys

[@dannyrobert1382]

This

[@anidiotplayslivestream5206]

Man, I would gladly give up a paycheck for a collection of video game tracks from this man, with or without the rest of the Late Show band. So much nostalgia here in less than 5 minutes.

[@Julian-br7wb]

Final Fantasy is the reason I play piano today - Jon Batiste knows his stuff, top tier talent!

[@Omar_E11]

I've gained so much respect for him. Video game music unfortunately goes largely unnoticed and unappreciated and isn't taken as seriously as say a mainstream album or something, but they're often just as, if not more memorable. Seeing him reference the classics in a popular night show is heartwarming. Keep playing, Jon!

[@nexuseclipse]

I would pay real money to listen to an album of video game covers by Batiste.

[@Kabaselefh]

He has music in his blood, what a talent.

[@zeroth9051]

Yo I flipped when he did the FF7 opening mission This guy I have much respect for him

[@StriderStryker]

Thanks for making the piano composition of Green Hill Zone. That song came out from the movie.

[@sheekyking]

Game music made a complete change on the music game

[@sonicplys64]

Jon Batiste is so awesome. My two favorite things in the entire world, Music and Video games, are personified in him.

[@rgwak]

I love the way his face can express the notes he plays while he talks about the Sonic music!!

[@musubi-vidz]

Stoked to see him win album of the year last night. We need a whole album of this music now.

[@flyinhawaiian49]

Jon Batiste is truly an accomplished musician...bless up mahn!

[@og3777]

Agreed Need more real artist like him

[@jpriest806]

1:32 but when can we get a Jon Batiste x Nobuo Uematsu final fantasy 7 joint?

[@BigLje7]

Someone get this man working on a game soundtrack immediately

[@og3777]

Hopefully he adds gta themes in his songs too

[@bfkc111]

Good point, it's more than just random wishful thinking, but probably real practical and good idea in his case.

[@KilosFoxo]

Spoilers How about a movie based on a game

[@nillathrilla]

Guile's theme is badass, one of my favs

[@dbinvr]

I have his same influences but I've never thought about how it influences my composition, thank you for this very well thought out piece!

[@ossero3172]

Jon Batiste playing Aquatic Ambiance from Donkey Kong would be so amazing!

[@emceealexander]

Hearing his appreciation for video games and his description of how they inspired his music.....gives me goosebumps! Outstanding!

[@rinaldus4512]

FFVII is my favorite game. Jon Batiste becomes cooler and cooler every single day.

[@richbaker8211]

Tears streaming down my face from the joy of these compositions. John Batiste is a wonderful human and incredible talent. We're blessed to be alive in his company.

[@noway1576]

Video games inspire everyone.

[@the_hanged_clown]

except for mass shooters

[@alamooji3716]

@@the_hanged_clown look at what you said!

[@jaymoose4337]

That streetfighter was fire

[@songomatic9897]

Gotta give props to those Japanese video game composers like Koji Kondo, very influenced by Black american Jazz musicians. It all goes around.

[@AnthonyBecker9]

I need this video to be 10X longer

[@ryuman757]

We don't deserve this brilliant man 😭😭😭❤️

[@fatlacesthedon]

I love JB he elevates LSSC lol beyond talented, his "sessions with:" segments are so deeply illuminating He did Guile's theme! Lmao

[@BonJoviBeatlesLedZep]

The relevant noodling when Stephen makes a joke in the monolgue is so good

[@slangyung]

Video game music is a blessing. When I played Zelda 1 as a child it was hypnotizing. Ninja Gaiden was also amazing. Chrono Trigger was the greatest in my opinion.

[@alextrevelian]

i came for Street Fighter, was amazingly surprise by Final Fantasy VII.

[@Jason-mg3fk]

This is amazing, I’ve always loved him but knowing he is just like us and loves video games too, it makes real talent and skill seem attainable

[@xanderfulton3186]

There is literally nothing not to love about Jon Batiste

[@FalloutJack]

Guile's Theme goes with everything.

[@AlexRN]

His favorite game soundtrack is FFVII? Somebody get Nobuo Uematsu and Batiste in the same room, stat! Imagine what creation could come out of that! I would’ve loved to see a reaction of him watching a FF7 Remake trailer too.

[@UltimaKeyMaster]

Okay, I know he already did Sonic a lot and Mega Man too but I bet he won over *literally the entire internet* with the Bombing Mission.

[@Whistler-jx7pk]

Me and my whole family LOVE YOU, Mr Batiste!! Come join us on FFXI, basic old style a la 2005, on the Eden server. You want a fun sink hole for time, this is it. Best thing about the FF series, is that it is humans together, versus the world and evil, and never human on human violence.

[@kinggordoproductions6203]

Kirby tracks singlehandedly got me into music....specifically the rendition of “Fountain of Dreams” from Kirby Air Ride. I would not have the passion for music that I do now had it not been for Kirby, Pokémon, or Mario, just to name a few!

[@dogshorts3084]

Music adds a lot to any game sets the whole mood

[@Darklogic112358]

Hearing FF7 on here just made my day. This guy is awesome.

[@galacticwarlock2271]

I heard him do Mute City from F Zero, can't find it.

[@grylltheonion]

Did you ever find it?

[@Mary-fv4bn]

Jon is priceless! What a national treasure!

[@erniedawg]

Knew every jam before the title came up. This guy has talent. wow.

[@emilybazer]

I love me some Jon Batiste, he has a good vibe!

[@barakaobama7558]

Video Game music is very underrated. Halo, Bioshock, Dead Space, Gears of War are just a few of my favorite.

[@graytime5828]

Amazing, just amazing, how does Jon even exist in real life?!

[@rond5379]

I totally agree with him. And Mass Effect 3 had the best music for me. That Two Steps From Hell sound

[@blockbusterlatefees7713]

Streets of Rage 2, best music!

[@rookymusic6310]

that ending song gave me chills growing up - I would beat the game and just listen to the whole thing

[@jianuzzi]

That was awesome. I'm a big fan of all those games, especially Final Fantasy 7

[@funghazi]

Best band leader in late night

[@nostalgicgamer1363]

That intro sounds like nba jam

[@JKRJL]

That Sonic was too nostalgic

[@MISHKA450]

What a legend

[@xx_rai510_xx3]

Can someone name all the songs he plays including the one at the beginning?

[@rainehappy7097]

NBA jam, Bombing Mission, Guile's Theme, Green Hill Zone, Song of Storms, Super Mario Bros.

[@andrewolivetreemixing]

Whats that game theme hes playing in the intro of this video? I can't put my finger on it and it's driving me nuts

[@Launcher]

SNES's NBA Jam Tournament Edition! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZvEnGxvq5h6m7sm15s

[@andrewolivetreemixing]

@@Launcher of course!! Thanks, that's a load off my mind

[@seanm.9832]

Wow..more love than ever

[@SeveredLegs]

This guy is unbelievable.

[@Whistler-jx7pk]

OMG I wish radio stations would sometimes play music from video games, and more from movies, too. The music suite, classical style, from FFXI, is never heard on classic radio..... (sigh)

[@jbazley001]

My fellow New Orleanian making me proud

[@galacticwarlock2271]

He is under rated.

[@DarkKnightOmega]

Street fighter and Zelda. Doesn’t get much better than that.

[@alamooji3716]

3:13 I swear i was like that is my favorite things!!!! and he said coltrane right after!!! im proud of my ear!

[@jankybit]

I doubt Jon will be reading these, but if you get a chance definitely take a look at the Shining Force 1 and 2 soundtracks on the Genesis. They are masterpieces!

[@DingDangJon]

My favorite late night show musician!

[@imfamouswarrior2976]

CoD W@W would be the game that’s music has has a lasting affect on me. The great robust intense compositions put together and recorded for that game really drove home the feel, intensity, and horror of war. The game wouldn’t be nearly as amazing as it was and still is if it weren’t for that factor.

[@vijaydizzle]

That song of stormsssssss

[@rainehappy7097]

Next NBA Jam needs Jon.

[@soulchorea]

Sonic soundtrack is everything

[@urielsalas9265]

Wait that's illegal.

[@mosslinden5058]

What a talented and intelligent guy. 👍🏾✊🏾🤟🏾

[@maxalbe]

it would be really wonderful if this man covered the complete Chrono Trigger/Cross ost. oh, it would be magic.

[@timothyamaraobrien]

I wish he had mentioned all of the composers' names who are responsible for this music.

[@imghostxyz9643]

What song is he playing in the beginning?

[@jimmybuffet4970]

1:52 Wizards & Warriors or is that Castlevania from the NES?? His knowledge…!

[@PieStudios]

Why does he deadass look like a Sprint Salesman?

[@look4lec]

If people IRL had hacks/codes for skills, this guy is hacking.

[@godwin972]

washington post gaming

[@zampai]

Jesus Christ he’s talented

[@Den-hx1wq]

Castlevania Symphony of the Night Konami classic On PS ONE great video game sound track.

[@frankosp]

What's the name of the song he plays at the beginning of the video? And which game is it from?

[@ItsMisterMarbles]

Sounds like the title music from NBA Jam Tournament Edition.

[@mrfcauthen]

Guile's theme wasn't written for Guile.

[@nostalgicgamer1363]

Streets of rage is #1

[@musicis1]

Oh yeah...now I REALLY have to collab with him

[@traffic2678]

CANT BEAT OCARINA

[@Oheyenne]

No, kids dont have in general good taste for music, first cause the games they play are not, by far, best soundtracks actually, nor even the games. You just have to see which artists are famous nowadays to say that taste is not the strongest, its the popular thingy. Sad declive of culture...at least there still genious that make what they want to make and sometimes they even shine...but is not the common.

[@eazyrat]

why am I first?

[@chiimotozoa8946]

If only he was doing music for a good show.

[@pabpov]

All Japanese composers