CBS News
· collected 2026-10-11 · by Bill Whitaker, Aliza Chasan, Marc Lieberman
Jon Batiste considers himself an introvert — a fact that may be hard to believe about the Grammy-winning performer, composer and multi-instrumentalist.
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that → consider → performer
Despite his introversion, the virtuoso is intent on using his music to bring people together, blending genres and drawing from every era and corner of the world to make what he calls "social music."
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he → use → what
"I just enjoy the idea of being this vessel that unites people, brings people together, against all odds," Batiste said.
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Batiste → enjoy → odds
From barely speaking to performing for the world
Batiste grew up in a musical family in Kenner, Louisiana, a New Orleans suburb.
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He told 60 Minutes he barely spoke until he was about 10, and learned to embrace stillness while sitting in a magnolia tree in his family's front yard.
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He took up piano at his mother's urging and quickly excelled.
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By the time he graduated high school, Batiste was playing gigs across New Orleans, but wanted a greater challenge.
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Batiste → graduate → challenge
So, he went to New York and auditioned for Juilliard – despite, he said, being unable to sight-read music.
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he → go → music
"In the audition there was a sight reading test on the spot," Batiste said.
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Batiste → be → spot
"I'm like, 'I can't read this.
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I → read → this
What am I going to do?'
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"
So, he improvised.
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"Whatever it was, in that moment, was certainly not what was on the page, but it was music that was coming through me at that moment," he said.
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he → come → moment
Batiste got in, but soon found he didn't fit in.
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He said his free spirit clashed with the school's more structured methods, and at one point, exasperated instructors sent him to see a psychologist, who affirmed that he was on the right track.
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he → say → track
"He really understood and saw me," Batiste said, "and helped me to understand, at that beginning stage of my journey, that I may be weird, but, 'You're all right, son.'"
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You → understand → journey
Batiste said this moment gave him evidence his vision was worth pursuing, even if others didn't understand it.
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It's annoying," Batiste said.
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"You have to be comfortable being misunderstood.
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You have to be comfortable moving at a pace that is not at the pace with the rest of the world."
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that → have → world
With that understanding, Batiste decided to create his music his way without apology.
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How Batiste creates music
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In 2014, Batiste impressed Stephen Colbert during an appearance on the "Colbert Report."
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When Colbert took over "The Late Show," he invited Batiste and his Stay Human band to join him.
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Batiste was the show's bandleader for seven years, all while continuing to create his own music.
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60 Minutes dropped in for a recording session at the famed Electric Lady Studios in Greenwich Village last month, where Batiste seemed to draw music from thin air.
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He appeared lost in a trance as he improvised at the piano.
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He said it was only afterward in the control room, listening to the playback, that he truly heard what he'd created.
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"When I'm playing it, I'm feeling it.
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I → play → it
I want to stay in a certain flow and feeling," Batiste said.
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Batiste → want → flow
When Batiste plays the piano, he lights up.
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"When I get to the piano, there's a — that's the openness.
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that → get → piano
It's a tidal wave," Batiste said.
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"You are seeing the physical representation of that on my face, I guess, or in my body, is, you know, there's a change."
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you → see → body
For Batiste, those creative feelings flow from improvisation.
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feelings → flow → improvisation
He improvised right up until the last minute while preparing for the Hollywood Bowl last month – mixing rhythm and blues with pop and classical music, letting the full sweep of his musical imagination, including "social music," take center stage.
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sweep → improvise → stage
While he was a student at Juilliard, Batiste came up with a testing ground for his "social music:" a ritual he calls a "love riot."
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he → come → music
Last month, he invited 60 Minutes along to watch as he led a group of musicians into the New York City subway.
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They played from station to platform, and platform to train, temporarily transforming an ordinary subway car into the happiest place in New York.
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Batiste said that although it felt like a party, the experience was serious.
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experience → say → party
…and 14 more, not listed.
The Aporia
