The capital city recently witnessed an extraordinary musical evening as seven-time Grammy-winning musician Jon Batiste brought his distinctive piano jazz to an intimate Delhi concert. The former bandleader of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert captivated audiences with his unique blend of classical and contemporary sounds.
A Night of Musical Brilliance
As the bright spotlight focused on the grand piano, Batiste began the performance with his remarkable rendition of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 from his acclaimed album 'Beethoven Blues.' The musician shared profound thoughts about his connection to music, stating, "Powerful thing to play the music of those before us."
Batiste expressed his deep affection for blues music during the concert, describing it as "beautiful, like the feeling of the human soul in sound" while performing 'Lonely Avenue' from his latest album 'Big Money.' The evening transformed from a mellow musical experience to an energetic celebration when he invited the entire audience to stand and dance to his viral hit 'I Need You.'
Connecting with Indian Audiences
The artist, currently on tour, has been surprising fans with unexpected musical choices. During his recent Mumbai performance, he treated audiences to an instrumental version of the classic Bollywood song 'Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan,' demonstrating his appreciation for Indian music and culture.
Reflecting on music's enduring impact, Batiste elaborated on his philosophy: "The beauty of music is the continuum. It's a lineage that continues all the time. It goes back to the first rhythm, the first drum, the first voice... It's a powerful thing to play the music of those before us."
Fan Reactions and Musical Journey
Among the attendees was Shantha Tara, a professional jazz singer and longtime Batiste admirer who discovered his music through The Late Show. "We've been following him for three to four years after watching him on the Colbert Show where his music was great," she shared. "I love his song 'I Need You.' We also enjoyed his documentary 'American Symphony.'"
Another concert-goer, Udit Sircar, expressed his enthusiasm: "I'm a fan of jazz and have been following the artist for five to six years after discovering his music on the Colbert Show. I wanted to check him out live and listen to the famous piano." The audience showed their appreciation by waving phone flashlights throughout the performance, creating a magical atmosphere.
Batiste left The Late Show in 2022 to focus on his independent music career and has since released two albums, continuing to build his reputation as one of contemporary music's most innovative artists.
The night's diverse playlist featured:
- Symphony No. 5 by Beethoven
- Blue Monk by Thelonius Monk
- Caravan by Duke Ellington
- Cry
- Lonely Avenue
- Drink Water
- Worship
- I Need You
- Butterfly
