Did you notice something familiar in the upcoming 66th Annual Grammy Awards? That's probably Jon Batiste, the current "crowned prince of jazz," with his slew of six nominations storming the prestigious event, again!
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 21: Jon Batiste performs during "We Love NYC: The Homecoming Concert" at the Great Lawn in Central Park on August 21, 2021 in New York City.
Jon Batiste and His Grammy Nominations in 2024
The New Orleans-born artist is on a momentous run in this year's Grammys, returning this time thanks to his 2023 release, "World Music Radio." The album is a unique blend of his trademark soul jazz fusion with hints of gospel, dancehall, and even hip-hop, among others.
With this release, Batiste enjoys nominations for the categories of Song of the Year for "Butterfly;" Record of the Year for "Worship;" Album of the Year for "World Music Radio;" Best Jazz Performance for "MOVEMENT 18' (Heroes);" and Best American Roots Performance for "Butterfly."
Alongside these nods, Batiste is also receiving recognition for his feature on Lana Del Rey's recent record, "Candy Necklace," which they share a Best Pop Duo/Group Performance nomination for.
For his Song of the Year contender "Butterfly, in particular, Batiste crafted a heartfelt marital lullaby that is wholly dedicated to his wife Suleika Jaouad after she was hospitalized for cancer treatment.
"Butterfly," like most songs in Batiste's oeuvre, is an anthem of hope. However, it is also a melancholic call for freedom, as evident in the lyrics: "Butterfly in the air/ Where you can fly anywhere/ A sight beyond compare."
The jazz icon told PEOPLE that the song is deeply personal to himself, his wife, and his family, especially after what they have persevered through and overcame.
"That's a really big part of the narrative of the song," Batiste said.
Deep Roots Soaked in Jazz History and Jon Batiste's Start
Despite the stripped-down nature of instrumentation for the song, Batiste still embellishes here and there with bluesy and jazzy runs that he is known for, albeit in a "kinder" and more tone-appropriate way.
This is thanks to his years of experience as part of a New Orleans musical dynasty, which tempered his overall sound with a solid and unshakeable identity.
According to an artist writeup by PBS, Batiste was born into a long line of Louisiana musicians, including iLionel Batiste of the Treme Brass Band, Milton Batiste of the Olympia Brass Band, and Russell Batiste Jr.
Besides his rich musical pedigree, the artist has also paved an acclaimed career for himself through his virtuosic playing and openness to new "flavors" or fusions of jazz.
He recorded and released his first solo album "Hollywood Africans" in 2018 and received huge props from his contemporaries for it, alongside rave reviews from critics. This release of his also earned him his first Grammy nod, one of many that rained in the following years.
As for his education, Batiste finished both his undergraduate and master's degrees relating to piano from the highly prestigious musical institution, the Juilliard School.
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