Batiste, Jon
Verve, 2019, CD
Instrument: Piano
Issue: 26.1
Jazz Ruler Type: R&B+Jazz
Performance: 4
Sound: 3
Score: 87
O’s Notes: Pianist and composer Jon Batiste is a young, energetic powerhouse full of the Crescent City party spirit. They start with an all out jam on “Blacck” that continues through “PWWR” fully engaging the audience in the celebration. We caught a taste of ragtime on “Kenner”, Jon’s bow to his hometown (a New Orleans suburb). Batiste celebrates the late Roy Hargrove with the cool funky vibe of “Soulful”. He performed this tune with Hargrove during his first appearance at New York‘s Village Vanguard a decade ago. It’s very timely to record this set at the same venue starting on the day we lost Roy (Nov-2-2018). Chronology Of A Dream is a fitting dedication to Hargrove.
Publicist: Crossover Media
