Jazz

Jon Batiste And Stay Human: Newport Jazz 2014

By Patrick Jarenwattananon

Published January 1, 2015 at 5:48 AM EST

1 of 14 — Jon Batiste embraces the crowd at the 2014 Newport Jazz Festival.

Jon Batiste embraces the crowd at the 2014 Newport Jazz Festival.

2 of 14 — Jon Batiste.

Jon Batiste.

3 of 14 — An expanded version of the Stay Human band played Newport's main stage.

An expanded version of the Stay Human band played Newport's main stage.

4 of 14 — Jon Batiste asks the crowd for help.

Jon Batiste asks the crowd for help.

5 of 14 — Eddie Barbash is framed by tuba player Ibanda Ruhumbika.

Eddie Barbash is framed by tuba player Ibanda Ruhumbika.

6 of 14 — Saxophonist Eddie Barbash was often front and center.

Saxophonist Eddie Barbash was often front and center.

7 of 14 — Eddie Barbash.

Eddie Barbash.

8 of 14 — Batiste, always a dynamic performer, had the support of longtime drummer Joe Saylor.

Batiste, always a dynamic performer, had the support of longtime drummer Joe Saylor.

9 of 14 — Batiste shares a moment with bassist (and banjo player) Barry Stephenson.

Batiste shares a moment with bassist (and banjo player) Barry Stephenson.

10 of 14 — The band was joined by saxophonist Grace Kelly.

The band was joined by saxophonist Grace Kelly.

11 of 14 — Batiste heads out into the crowd.

Batiste heads out into the crowd.

12 of 14 — At the end of his set, Batiste waded into the Fort Stage crowd.

At the end of his set, Batiste waded into the Fort Stage crowd.

13 of 14 — Batiste brought his band out into the audience with him.

Batiste brought his band out into the audience with him.

14 of 14 — Jon Batiste and Stay Human.

Jon Batiste and Stay Human.

Jon Batiste has a way with exits, as musicians from New Orleans tend to. Days before his day-ending set at the 2014 Newport Jazz Festival, the pianist and singer walked out of The Colbert Report's theater with a studio audience and a dancing Stephen Colbert in tow. And following a high-energy Newport set — where his expanded Stay Human band played turbocharged versions of standards, rags and his own party anthems — he switched from piano to melodica and led the band into the main stage audience.

Batiste's newest album is called Social Music, and it's easy to see how he could catalyze a gathering. As he paraded into the crowd, he switched into a number you might hear at a New Orleans jazz funeral parade, one that signaled his intent with a wink: "Just A Closer Walk With Thee."

Set List

"My Favorite Things"

"On The Sunny Side Of The Street"

"People In The World"

"Shreveport Stomp"

"It's Alright (Why You Gotta)"

"The Star-Spangled Banner"

"St. James Infirmary"

"The Entertainer"

"Just A Closer Walk With Thee"

Personnel

Jon Batiste, piano/melodica/voice; Eddie Barbash, alto saxophone; Ibanda Ruhumbika, tuba; Barry Stevenson, banjo/bass; Joe Saylor, drums; Jamison Ross, keyboard/percussion/voice. With Grace Kelly, alto saxophone.