Fresh Air Episode Summary: Jon Batiste Almost Got Kicked Out Of Juilliard

Introduction

In this compelling episode of NPR’s Fresh Air, host Terry Gross engages in an intimate and insightful conversation with acclaimed musician Jon Batiste. Batiste, renowned for his role as the bandleader and music director of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert from its inception in 2015 until 2022, shares his journey through the realms of music, personal challenges, and creative resilience. The episode, released on December 9, 2024, delves deep into Batiste’s artistic evolution, his near expulsion from Juilliard, his Grammy-winning endeavors, and the profound impact of his wife Sulaika Jouad’s battle with leukemia on his life and work.

Achievements and Musical Journey

Jon Batiste’s illustrious career is highlighted by his album We Are, which garnered 11 Grammy nominations across seven categories, ultimately winning five Grammys, including Album of the Year. Additionally, Batiste composed the score for the film Saturday Night, portraying musician Billy Preston, the first musical guest on Saturday Night Live. His music transcends traditional genres, incorporating elements of jazz, classical, R&B, and contemporary compositions, as evidenced by his diverse Grammy accolades.

Beethoven Blues: Bridging Classical and Contemporary Music

Batiste introduces his latest solo album, Beethoven Blues, a project that reimagines Beethoven’s compositions through a modern lens. He emphasizes the universal and connective power of music, stating, “It connects to something that is rare for us to have, all of us in our collective memory” (03:14). Batiste discusses how Beethoven’s rhythmic complexities inherently contain elements akin to the blues, highlighting the polyrhythmic structures that resonate with West African rhythms foundational to American music genres.

Connecting Beethoven to the Blues

Exploring the intersection of classical and blues music, Batiste elaborates on how Beethoven’s compositions, though centuries old, embody African rhythmic influences. “There’s this thing that’s happening in his music that I really love, where he’s playing in two different times at once,” he explains (07:40). This polyrhythmic approach mirrors the 6/8 rhythms and American shuffle rhythms that form the backbone of the blues, creating an infectious and universally appealing sound.

Near Expulsion from Juilliard: A Story of Creativity and Resilience

Batiste recounts his challenging experience at Juilliard, where his unconventional approach to music and relentless creativity nearly led to his expulsion. At 17, upon entering Juilliard without sight-reading skills, Batiste struggled to conform to the institution’s rigid expectations. “I was just a very, very ambitious, precocious teenager... things started to get to a point where they felt I wasn’t focused enough,” he reflects (13:34). His inventive spirit, characterized by projects like forming bands and acting troupes to perform in subways, was misunderstood by faculty as a lack of focus.

Despite being evaluated by Juilliard’s counseling department, which labeled him a “genius,” Batiste persevered, driven by his mother’s unwavering support and his father’s musical legacy. “She just told me all of these different ways of affirming the things I believed about music...,” Batiste shares (17:56). His determination not only kept him at Juilliard but also led him to serve on the board, advocating for more inclusive environments for musicians from diverse backgrounds.

Personal Struggles and Creative Healing

A significant portion of the conversation delves into the personal turmoil Batiste faced when his wife, Sulaika Jouad, experienced a recurrence of leukemia. Balancing his rising career with the emotional strain of her illness, Batiste found solace and connection through music. “Through our shared creativity, there was a lot of light that we created together and apart from each other,” he explains (27:54). Batiste composed lullabies for Jouad, which she listened to while painting, transforming their creative expressions into tools for healing.

Carnegie Hall Premiere and Unforeseen Challenges

Batiste narrates the memorable night of his American Symphony premiere at Carnegie Hall, where a sudden power outage threatened to derail the performance. Demonstrating remarkable composure, he improvises a spontaneous composition on the piano, bridging the interruption seamlessly into the continuation of the symphony. “Nothing was going to stop me...,” Batiste asserts (44:25). This incident underscores his resilience and unwavering commitment to his art, reflecting the broader themes of struggle and triumph that permeate his work.

Embracing Joy Amidst Adversity

While Batiste is often celebrated for the joy and vibrancy he brings to his performances, he acknowledges the underlying struggles that inform his music. “There’s an underpinning in my music that is coming from struggle and coming from many things that maybe transmute into joy later,” he states (36:21). This duality enriches his artistry, allowing him to infuse his joyful expressions with depth and authenticity born from personal and collective challenges.

Conclusion

Jon Batiste’s interview on Fresh Air offers an inspiring narrative of artistic innovation, personal resilience, and the transformative power of music. From his near expulsion at Juilliard to his Grammy successes and navigating personal hardships, Batiste exemplifies how creativity can serve as both a refuge and a force for connection. His new album, Beethoven Blues, stands as a testament to his ability to bridge historical and contemporary musical landscapes, creating works that resonate deeply with diverse audiences.

Notable Quotes:

• On Connecting Through Music: “It connects to something that is rare for us to have, all of us in our collective memory.” (03:14)

• On His Genius Evaluation: “This guy is a genius the likes of Charlie Parker.” (17:08)

• On Creativity Amidst Illness: “Through our shared creativity, there was a lot of light that we created together and apart from each other.” (27:54)

• On Resilience at Carnegie Hall: “Nothing was going to stop me.” (44:25)

• On Embracing Struggle in Music: “There’s an underpinning in my music that is coming from struggle and coming from many things that maybe transmute into joy later.” (36:21)

Join Next Week

The episode concludes with a preview of an upcoming interview with Danielle Deadwyler, star of the Netflix adaptation of August Wilson's play The Piano Lesson, promising further exploration into the intersection of music, acting, and historical narratives.