American singer Jon Batiste won five awards at the 64th Grammy’s ceremony. WE ARE became album of the year. His songs ‘Freedom’ and ‘Cry’ and his contribution to the film Soul were also rewarded with this important music prize.
Jon Batiste (1986) is musical director of the popular Late Show with Stephen Colbert. With his house band Stay Human, he accompanied artists from various genres. Armed with a megaphone and a portable synthesiser the New Orleans-born musician provided the soundtrack for the protest marches during the Black Lives Matter protests. ‘WE ARE’ became a peaceful battle song. Trombonist Trombone Shorty and gospel singer Mavis Staples, among others, collaborated on Batistes album WE ARE (2021).
Why isn’t your name in huge letters on the album cover?
The album is mainly about ‘WE ARE’. Our music is dedicated to the people who inspire us and help restore this world. If we focus on positive things, we can achieve a lot. This may sound prophetic, but this message is universal and timeless.
Which prophet is your example?
Daniel. He had a high social position at the king’s court. If you are a public figure, you sometimes have to go through fire to remain true to yourself and pursue your goal.
Is it important for musicians to raise their voices against injustice?
All people should. You can do that within your own community, in your street or the house you live in. You don’t have to lead a big protest movement. But everyone is needed to keep society civilised.
How did you turn your anger into a search for connection during the BLM demonstrations?
Anger is of no use in the short period of time we spend on this beautiful planet. Remember that our pain is temporary. Let us stand up for justice. If we stay angry, we are no longer able to get things done and the nuance will disappear from conversations on difficult topics.
What exactly do you mean by ‘We are the chosen ones’?
We do not live without reason. We have to make choices now and not run away from them. With the slogan ‘We are the chosen ones’, I want to fight apathy. This is our time, this moment, in this place. Life goes by so fast, don’t stand on the sidelines waiting.
Who are ‘We’?
Anyone who feels responsible. In many places in the world, groups are oppressed. The music on this album is intended to hearten all those people: you are not alone.
Did you deliberately choose musicians of different ages for this album?
We shouldn’t lose sight of the wisdom of the previous generation. Mavis Staples is living proof that an artist can also be an activist. She is my example. This way, my young audience gets to know her and I show the older ones that we are connected as generations.
In one of your songs, you refer to Barack Obama singing ‘Amazing Grace’ in 2015 as a tribute to black pastor Clementa Pinckney who was shot dead. Why was that such a pivotal moment?
If we don’t know our history, we pigeonhole each other. By singing ‘Amazing Grace’, Obama referred to his roots. His ancestors sang this gospel song when they were enslaved. The moment Obama sang, spirituality and heritage came together in the highest office of our country. These are the things we keep remembering. This is what it is all about in the end.