Jon Batiste – Anatomy Of Angels

In the fall of 2018, pianist and bandleader Jon Batiste played a six-night residency at the historic Village Vanguard in downtown New York City.

The selection for Anatomy of Angels is comprised mostly of Batiste’s own compositions, which range from bluesy (“Dusk Train To Doha”) to Coltrane-esque explorations (the titular track “Anatomy of Angels” and “Creative.”) In addition to his own works, Rachael Price from Lake Street Dive joins him for Ray Noble’s “The Very Thought Of You.” Batiste also arranged on one of the most famous works of his idol Thelonious Monk, “’Round Midnight.”

Batiste says of this recording, “The music on this release is all live, no edits or retakes. It’s a snapshot of live art. I composed and arranged these songs as vehicles for exploration, to be dissected and put back together, live in action, never to be played the same way twice.”

He continues, “Listen to this with open ears, eyes occasionally closed, a full heart and empty hands – listen without distractions and it’ll gift you. Someone in the audience at this show witnessed an angel appear on stage in the midst of the band during our performance. I believe them.”

About Jon Batiste:
Jon Batiste is an internationally acclaimed musician, bandleader, and composer. As an educator and television personality he spreads his unbridled optimism coupled with a profound understanding of the arts. Born into a long lineage of New Orleans musicians, Batiste is a graduate of The Juilliard School with a master’s degree. After graduating, he toured globally with his band Stay Human and currently appears nightly on national television as the bandleader and musical director for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” Jon is a Forbes 30 under 30 honoree, Musical Director for The Atlantic and Creative Director for the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. Jon is also a coveted brand ambassador- featured in campaigns for Chase, Apple, Lincoln Motor Company, and numerous fashion brands including Bonobos, Ralph Lauren, Barney’s, and Nordstrom. He has worked with famed photographer Annie Leibowitz, among many others, and his personal style has been profiled in various fashion publications including GQ, Vanity Fair, and Vogue. Batiste’s mission is to share his faith, hope, and love with the world around him.

Tracklist:

1. Creative (written by Jon Batiste)
2. Dusk Train To Doha (written by Jon Batiste)
3. The Very Thought Of You ft. Rachel Price (written by Ray Noble)
4. Round Midnight (written by Thelonious Monk, Bernie Hanighen, Charles Cootie Williams)
5. Anatomy of Angels (written by Jon Batiste)