Photo Credit: Benoit Aubry / CC by 3.0
Jon Batiste has announced he is departing ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ after seven years.
The bandleader of ‘The Late Show’ won several Grammys at this year’s awards show. “We’ve been so lucky to have a front row seat to John’s incredible talent for the past seven years,” Colbert said on his show announcing Baptiste’s departure. “But we’re happy for you, Jon, and I can’t wait to have you back on as a guest with your next hit record.”
Louis Cato served as interim bandleader this summer as Batiste took a break. Cato will take over permanently when the show returns for its eighth season. Batiste and his band Stay Human were chosen as the house band for Stephen Colbert’s ‘Late Show’ in 2015.
Batiste won five Grammys this year thanks to his work on Pixar’s ‘Soul.’ He also won a Golden Globe for the music alongside Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross of Nine Inch Nails. The trio also earned the Academy Award for Best Original Score. Batiste, Reznor, and Ross also took home the Grammy for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media.
“It has been one of the great honors of my life to work on this show, alongside some of the most talented musicians and creatives I know, “Louis Cato said in a statement about taking over the bandleader position. “Watching and learning from both Jon and Stephen for these past seven years, I’m genuinely excited to continue the tradition of excellence they’ve established.”
Jon Batiste was nominated for 11 Grammys in 2022 across a wide range of categories. He won five of those categories, including Album of the Year, Best Music Video, Best American Roots Performance, Best American Roots Song, and Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media.
Jon Batiste Grammy Nominations & Wins for 2022
- Album of the Year for We Are – Won
- Best Music Video for “Freedom” – Won
- Best American Roots Performance for “Cry” – Won
- Best American Roots Song for “Cry” – Won
- Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media for Soul – Won
- Best R&B Album for We Are – Nominated
- Record of the Year for “Freedom” – Nominated
- Best Traditional R&B Performance for “I Need You” – Nominated
- Best Improvised Jazz Solo for “Bigger Than Us” – Nominated
- Best Jazz Instrumental Album for Jazz Selections: Music from and Inspired by Soul – Nominated
- Best Contemporary Classical Composition for “Batiste: Movement 11′ – Nominated