Jon Batiste Net Worth

What Is Jon Batiste's Net Worth?

Jon Batiste is an accomplished American singer, songwriter, musician, bandleader, and television personality with a net worth of $4 million. His exceptional work as a composer on the 2020 Pixar film 'Soul' earned him prestigious awards, including an Academy Award, Golden Globe, and Grammy. Batiste served as the bandleader and musical director on the CBS talk show 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' from its debut in 2015 until August 2022. He has collaborated with musical legends like Stevie Wonder, Willie Nelson, Prince, Ed Sheeran, and Lenny Kravitz.

Batiste has released several successful studio albums, including 'Times in New Orleans' (2005), 'Jazz Is Now' (2013), 'Social Music' (2013), 'Christmas with Jon Batiste' (2016), 'Hollywood Africans' (2018), and 'We Are' (2021). His band, Stay Human, is well-known in the industry. Additionally, Jon holds the positions of Creative Director at Harlem's National Jazz Museum and music director at 'The Atlantic' magazine. He has also appeared as himself in four episodes of the HBO series 'Treme' (2011–2013). In April 2022, news broke that Batiste would make his film debut in 'The Color Purple' adaptation.

Early Life

Jonathan Michael Batiste was born on November 11, 1986, in Metairie, Louisiana. He was raised in a Catholic family in Kenner, Louisiana, with deep musical roots. Jon’s family includes acclaimed musicians such as Milton Batiste of the Olympia Brass Band, Lionel Batiste of the Treme Brass Band, and drummer Russell Batiste Jr. Jon began his musical journey at age 8, playing drums and percussion with the Batiste Brothers Band, before shifting to the piano at age 11. He honed his skills by transcribing songs from video games like 'Sonic the Hedgehog' and 'Street Fighter Alpha.'

At 17, Jon released 'Times in New Orleans' and later attended St. Augustine High School. He also studied with Trombone Shorty at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. After graduating in 2004, Jon pursued higher education at the Juilliard School, earning Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in jazz studies in 2008 and 2011, respectively. While at Juilliard, he released 'Live in New York: At the Rubin Museum of Art' and performed internationally.

Career

In 2007, Jon produced and performed a show at Amsterdam's Concertgebouw and taught music in underprivileged areas in the Netherlands. He later produced and performed another notable show at Carnegie Hall. His 2013 album 'Social Music' with Stay Human topped the 'Billboard' Jazz Albums chart and reached #134 on the 'Billboard' 200 chart. His 2016 releases 'Christmas with Jon Batiste' and 'The Late Show EP' also performed well on the charts.

Jon's 2018 album 'Hollywood Africans' reached #2 on the Jazz Albums chart, earning his first Grammy nomination for 'St. James Infirmary Blues.' His 2021 album 'We Are' attained #25 on the 'Billboard' 200 chart and won a Grammy for Album of the Year. The single 'I Need You' peaked at #2 on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart, and 'Freedom' reached #4 on the Digital Songs chart.

From September 2015 to August 2022, Jon Batiste and Stay Human were the house band on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,' performing alongside artists like John Legend, Will Smith, and Billy Joel. Jon left the show to explore personal and professional ventures. In 2020, he performed at a Juneteenth celebration in Brooklyn and collaborated with Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor on the 'Soul' soundtrack, winning multiple awards for it. In 2022, he was nominated for 11 Grammys and won five.

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Personal Life

Jon met Suleika Jaouad at band camp during their teenage years, beginning a romantic relationship in 2014. Suleika was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2011, and announced its return in late 2021. Jon and Suleika married in February 2022, just before Suleika underwent a bone marrow transplant. Jon explained in a 'People' interview that their wedding was an intimate family affair, reflecting their deep commitment despite her diagnosis. Jon told her during his proposal, 'This diagnosis doesn’t change anything. It just makes it all the clearer to me that I want to commit to this and for us to be together.'

Jon has actively participated in Black Lives Matter marches and organized peaceful protests against police brutality following George Floyd's murder. His 2021 single 'We Are' supports Bryan Stevenson's Equal Justice Initiative and features notable contributors like the St. Augustine High School Marching 100 and the Gospel Soul Children. Jon also supports initiatives such as the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the Innocence Project, and The Legacy Museum.

Awards and Nominations

In 2021, Batiste won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Original Score for 'Soul.' The film garnered him numerous awards, including those from the BAFTA Awards, Annie Awards, and Critics Choice Awards. Jon has received multiple Grammy nominations, winning five Grammys in 2022 for 'Jon Batiste: Freedom,' 'We Are,' 'Soul,' and 'Cry.' He also received a Primetime Emmy nomination in 2022 for 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.'