PREVIEW: Jon Batiste Brings Big Money to Saratoga
08/22 @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center
“It's a great act of love to be able to not only play music for people, but inspire them. You never know when someone hears a song or sees a performance, it could keep them going in a way that you are unaware of.”
When Cynthia Erivo had to cancel her SPAC performance unexpectedly (due to unfortunate scheduling issues) the disappointment echoed throughout the Capital District like a sad trombone. And while I’m sure nothing will ever sufficiently blot the tears of some, what SPAC has found to fill the void feels like getting a gold medal for a consolation prize.
On August 22nd, Jon Batiste is celebrating a highly anticipated album release called Big Money, and that celebration will make an appearance at SPAC. If that wasn’t special enough, we’re going to hear Batiste perform his music with the Philadelphia Orchestra for the first time.
What’s even more wild is it will also be Batiste’s first time hearing this, too.
The night will feature works from Big Money alongside his band. The second half of this exclusive performance will be with the aforementioned orchestra which he calls “one of the greatest orchestras on planet Earth.” This appearance will be his first time back at SPAC, following his Saratoga Jazz Festival performance in 2018.
Batiste is an acclaimed American musician, bandleader, and television personality, known for his eclectic blend of genres, including jazz, R&B, and soul. Born in Louisiana, Batiste's musical journey began at a young age, heavily influenced by the rich cultural heritage of New Orleans. He is a descendant of a long line of musicians, which played a significant role in shaping his passion for music.
Batiste is elated for this exclusive and fortuitous event. Though he’s a graduate of the Juilliard School, Batiste spent time at the Skidmore Jazz Institute where he met his bandmate, Joseph Saylor. He also has family in Saratoga Springs, which is where his wife, Suleika Jaouad, is from.
“It's amazing to have this aligned like this,” he says. “There's such a beautiful thing that happens when you go to a place like that where there are families that have been there for years and everybody knows each other in a great way.”
Batiste’s previous release was the critically acclaimed album We Are, which highlights his roots and features messages of hope and resilience. The album serves a blend of original compositions and reimagined classics, reflecting his keen artistry and ability to resonate with diverse audiences. The album earned him nine Grammy nominations and five wins.
Beyond his music career, Batiste is an advocate for creativity and the arts. He frequently emphasizes the importance of cultural expression and the power of music to unite and inspire. His work continues to redefine the boundaries of musical genres and establish him as a key figure in the evolution of modern music. Whether performing live or sharing his art through various media, Batiste remains a vibrant force in the music industry.
“The beauty of what we do as artists is we get to serve other people. You talk about ‘love your neighbor’; it's a great act of love to be able to not only play music for people, but inspire them. You never know when someone hears a song or sees a performance, it could keep them going in a way that you are unaware of. And you may never know how you impact people. So, I take that very seriously in the way that I live my life and the way that I create my art.”
He's also interminably positive; a quality that emanates from him with each performance. It’s impossible to feel anything other than joy when watching him perform. When asked what he does to stay so positive all the time he says, “I just believe in God and I believe in the end everything is going to be okay because, you know, we go through ups and downs and life is made that way. But you always just have to stay smiling and keep everybody in your life in a space of grace because everybody [else] is going through ups and downs too.”
To say this upcoming performance is “special” is reductive. It’s as exclusive as it gets. This will be the only time Batiste performs with the Philadelphia Orchestra before he starts his tour with his band, Stay Human. His excitement is palpable.
“I've always wanted to play with the Philadelphia Symphony, and it's such a great opportunity to do it on the day of the album release. I couldn't have hoped for a better scenario,” he says. “[This] is the first time that I've ever put new music into the world at the same time as I'm exploring it for the first time on stage.”
For tickets and more information, visit https://spac.org/events/a-special-evening-with-jon-batiste/