Jon Batiste, multiple Oscar and Grammy award-winning musician and TV personality, discusses growing up in a musical family in New Orleans and their Christmas traditions. He reflects on the influence of food, family, and faith in his life. The podcast explores memories of the vibrant kitchen, the role of music in their upbringing, and adapting traditional recipes. They also discuss the healing power of the kitchen and how music transformed them from a shy kid to a confident performer.
Jon Batiste reflects on the significance of family, freedom, and the multiplicity of influences that shape his music and performances.
The deep love, pride, and communal aspect associated with gumbo highlight its importance in New Orleans' culture.
The kitchen serves as a place of solace, creativity, and healing, where ideas emerge, safety is found, and memories are made.
Deep dives
The Magic of Gumbo in John Batiste's Musical Journey
John Batiste, a Grammy-winning singer and composer, shares his deep connection to New Orleans and gumbo as a metaphor for his music and life. Batiste discusses his musical upbringing in a talented family, his love for music as a means of communication, and the importance of the kitchen in his creative process. He reflects on his mother's kitchen, where she cooked incredible dishes that brought joy and allowed for free thinking. He also highlights the healing power of the kitchen during his wife's battle with leukemia. Batiste emphasizes the significance of family, freedom, and the multiplicity of influences that shape his music and performances.
Family Traditions and the Evolution of Gumbo
Batiste delves into the significance of gumbo in New Orleans and his family. He talks about the gumbo throw-downs and friendly competitions between his mother's gumbo and his grandfather's. He describes the meticulous process of making gumbo and its importance in New Orleans' culture. He also shares the evolution of his own gumbo recipe and his dedication to perfecting it. Batiste emphasizes the deep love and pride associated with gumbo, as well as the communal and celebratory aspects of sharing a meal.
The Kitchen as a Creative and Healing Space
Batiste shares his thoughts on the kitchen as a place of solace, creativity, and healing. He talks about how the kitchen was a space for ideas to emerge and where he found safety and joy. He reminisces about drawing on the kitchen table as a child and the use of the kitchen for musical experimentation. He discusses his mother's ability to balance work, education, and cooking, and how her dedication inspires him to put similar effort into his own craft. Additionally, he reflects on the kitchen as a gathering place and a source of memories and conversations that go beyond cooking.
Music, Freedom, and Personal Transformation
Batiste explores how music has helped him overcome shyness and express his inner self. He discusses the transformative power of music and the role it plays in his performances. He reminisces about his experiences with the melodica, a unique instrument he uses to create energy and community through impromptu performances. Batiste highlights the importance of staying true to one's vision, even in the face of skepticism or misunderstanding. He also expresses the significance of freedom, both in music and in life, and the necessity of maintaining a high frequency of creativity for personal growth and self-expression.
Holiday Traditions and Community Engagement
Batiste shares his plans for the holiday season, which include giving back to the community and engaging in charitable activities. He discusses using the holiday season as an opportunity to bring hope and celebration to others. Batiste also mentions his album release and the significance of using his music to connect with communities during the holiday season. He reflects on the importance of family, friends, and the kitchen table in creating memorable moments and spreading joy during the holidays.
Singer, songwriter, composer, and genuine music lover Jon Batiste serenades us with his harmonica-keyboard while reminiscing on the sounds of his childhood kitchen in New Orleans. He describes what it was like to grow up in a big, musical family of jazz legends, and shares some of their favorite Christmas traditions—including competing to see who could make the
best and truest gumbo.
Jon Batiste is a multiple Oscar and Grammy award-winning musician and TV personality. He was the bandleader and musical director for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert from 2015 to 2022. He also received multiple awards for his work on Pixar’s Soul. He is the subject of a new documentary, American Symphony.
