Genre-blending pianist and member of the prolific New Orleans musical Batiste family, Jon Batiste will be performing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl this Sunday, and if you’ve never heard of him you’re missing out on a great performer and composer. Here are just five songs to introduce Batiste’s creative spirit and unique talent.
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[RELATED: Super Bowl 2025 Odds: How Long Will Jon Batiste’s National Anthem Take to Sing?]
An Intro to Jon Batiste
“Moonlight Sonata Blues” from Beethoven Blues
In 2024, Jon Batiste released Beethoven Blues as Vol. 1 of his piano series, where he performed reimagined versions of Beethoven classics. “Moonlight Sonata Blues” incorporates the thread of Beethoven’s melancholy composition “Moonlight Sonata,” but Batiste adds his own flourishes and runs throughout the piece. It’s an interesting remix of an old standard into something not quite brand new but updated for modern times.
“FREEDOM” from WE ARE
While Jon Batiste is primarily known for his piano prowess, he often blends genres and styles, expanding his repertoire beyond piano compositions. “FREEDOM” appears on WE ARE from 2021, where Batiste plays with lyrically-based songs instead of instrumentals. This track is an endlessly danceable feel-good tune and is a great way to ease yourself into Batiste’s style.
“Symphony No. 5 Stomp” from Beethoven Blues
Similar to what he did with “Moonlight Sonata Blues,” this track from Beethoven Blues reimagines the famous “Symphony No. 5” with jazzy embellishments. These two tracks are a great introduction to Jon Batiste’s fundamentals, his core skills as a pianist, and his ability to pull new emotions from the most well-known compositions.
“Welcome to 8H” from the Saturday Night Soundtrack
Batiste composed the music for the 2024 film Saturday Night, which chronicled the inception of Saturday Night Live. “Welcome to 8H” is a groovy, jazzy, 70s-style composition that evokes the spirit of SNL in it’s beginning stages: plucky, endearing, and motivated. With disco jives, staccato saxophone interjections, and an overall Chicken Scratch funk sound (waka chicka waka chicka), “Welcome to 8H” is a prime example of Batiste’s compositional skills.
“MOVEMENT 18′ (Heroes)” from World Music Radio
Released in 2023 on World Music Radio, “MOVEMENT 18′ (Heroes)” explores quotes and music from Jon Batiste’s inspirations: Wayne Shorter, Quincy Jones, Duke Ellington, and Alvin Batiste. There are moments on the track where Wayne Shorter plays piano with Batiste, which was then layered over the main track. It also includes quotes and spoken word from these artists, rounding out the track with personal touches. This is a wonderful look into where Jon Batiste gets his inspiration, motivation, and influences from.
Featured Image by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images
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