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Jon Batiste And Stay Human, Live In Concert Following a high-energy main stage set — filled with turbocharged versions of standards, rags and his own party anthems — the young pianist and singer brought his band out into the audience.
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Jon Batiste And Stay Human: Newport Jazz 2014

Jon Batiste And Stay Human In Concert

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  • Jon Batiste embraces the crowd at the 2014 Newport Jazz Festival.
    Jon Batiste embraces the crowd at the 2014 Newport Jazz Festival.
    Adam Kissick for NPR
  • Jon Batiste.
    Jon Batiste.
    Adam Kissick for NPR
  • An expanded version of the Stay Human band played Newport's main stage.
    An expanded version of the Stay Human band played Newport's main stage.
    Adam Kissick for NPR
  • Jon Batiste asks the crowd for help.
    Jon Batiste asks the crowd for help.
    Adam Kissick for NPR
  • Eddie Barbash is framed by tuba player Ibanda Ruhumbika.
    Eddie Barbash is framed by tuba player Ibanda Ruhumbika.
    Adam Kissick for NPR
  • Saxophonist Eddie Barbash was often front and center.
    Saxophonist Eddie Barbash was often front and center.
    Adam Kissick for NPR
  • Eddie Barbash.
    Eddie Barbash.
    Adam Kissick for NPR
  • Batiste, always a dynamic performer, had the support of longtime drummer Joe Saylor.
    Batiste, always a dynamic performer, had the support of longtime drummer Joe Saylor.
    Adam Kissick for NPR
  • Batiste shares a moment with bassist (and banjo player) Barry Stephenson.
    Batiste shares a moment with bassist (and banjo player) Barry Stephenson.
    Adam Kissick for NPR
  • The band was joined by saxophonist Grace Kelly.
    The band was joined by saxophonist Grace Kelly.
    Adam Kissick for NPR
  • Batiste heads out into the crowd.
    Batiste heads out into the crowd.
    Adam Kissick for NPR
  • At the end of his set, Batiste waded into the Fort Stage crowd.
    At the end of his set, Batiste waded into the Fort Stage crowd.
    Adam Kissick for NPR
  • Batiste brought his band out into the audience with him.
    Batiste brought his band out into the audience with him.
    Adam Kissick for NPR
  • Jon Batiste and Stay Human.
    Jon Batiste and Stay Human.
    Adam Kissick for NPR

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Jon Batiste has a way with exits, as musicians from New Orleans tend to. Days before his day-ending set at the 2014 Newport Jazz Festival, the pianist and singer walked out of The Colbert Report's theater with a studio audience and a dancing Stephen Colbert in tow. And following a high-energy Newport set — where his expanded Stay Human band played turbocharged versions of standards, rags and his own party anthems — he switched from piano to melodica and led the band into the main stage audience.

Batiste's newest album is called Social Music, and it's easy to see how he could catalyze a gathering. As he paraded into the crowd, he switched into a number you might hear at a New Orleans jazz funeral parade, one that signaled his intent with a wink: "Just A Closer Walk With Thee."

Set List

  • "My Favorite Things"
  • "On The Sunny Side Of The Street"
  • "People In The World"
  • "Shreveport Stomp"
  • "It's Alright (Why You Gotta)"
  • "The Star-Spangled Banner"
  • "St. James Infirmary"
  • "The Entertainer"
  • "Just A Closer Walk With Thee"

Personnel

Jon Batiste, piano/melodica/voice; Eddie Barbash, alto saxophone; Ibanda Ruhumbika, tuba; Barry Stevenson, banjo/bass; Joe Saylor, drums; Jamison Ross, keyboard/percussion/voice. With Grace Kelly, alto saxophone.

The Jazz Gallery All-Stars.
Special Series

Toast Of The Nation

NPR's annual New Year's Eve special celebrates with live jazz performances