Full Breakdown
Jon Batiste Reveals Personal Playlist, Musical Influences and Upcoming London Residency
4/26/2026, 10:01:12 PM
Core Playlist Reveal
Jon Batiste shared a personal playlist that mixes pop, jazz, classical and punk. It includes Coldplay’s “Don’t Panic,” Art Tatum’s “Body and Soul,” Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World,” Bach’s “Air on the G String,” and “Giddy Up” by Amyl and the Sniffers. He uses the first three as an alarm set and emphasizes that “song shaming” has no place in music appreciation.
Early Influences
Batiste’s musical foundation began at home. His father regularly played Clarence Carter’s “Strokin’,” while his Uncle Thomas mailed jazz recordings of Oscar Peterson, Milt Jackson, Louis Armstrong and Ray Charles. As a teenager he bought his first records from Blockbuster’s used-CD bin, acquiring Michael Jackson’s *Dangerous*, Björk’s *Vespertine*, Erykah Badu’s *Mama’s Gun* and Common’s *Like Water for Chocolate*.
Signature Tracks
During his tenure on *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert* (2015-2022) Batiste performed Steely Dan’s “Reelin’ in the Years” nightly; he later said he can no longer listen to the song. “When the Saints Go Marching In” was played at his grandmother’s funeral in Louisiana, a moment he describes as life-changing. He also notes that Bach’s “Air on the G String” evokes deep reflection when he arranges it for piano or busks it in New York subways.
Timeline
- 2015-2022: Nightly performances of “Reelin’ in the Years” on *The Late Show*.
- April 2026: Playlist interview published in *The Guardian* and other outlets.
- June 24-28 2026: World festival residency at Koko, London; tickets sold through Live Nation.
Official Statements & Responses
In the interview Batiste affirmed his belief that “song shaming” undermines musical diversity and urged listeners to embrace any genre. He explained that repeated performance can alter an artist’s relationship with a piece, citing his inability to enjoy “Reelin’ in the Years” after extensive exposure. He also said his morning-alarm songs reflect personal comfort and artistic breadth.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The song I secretly love but tell everyone I hate I don’t believe in song shaming!” — Jon Batiste
- “I can’t listen to it because I played it hundreds of times.” — Jon Batiste
- “Air on the G String.” — Jon Batiste
- “If you listen to punk music, it’s got a kind of kinetic energy that feels like avant garde jazz.” — Jon Batiste
Upcoming World Festival Residency at Koko
Batiste will headline a five-night residency at Koko in London from June 24 to June 28, 2026. The series, promoted by Live Nation, will feature his genre-spanning repertoire and provide a live setting for the songs highlighted in his personal playlist.
