
A True Legend is Dead
A parent, father, friend, mentor, leader, music mover, community builder, professor, scholar, teacher, advocate for music students and band director to thousands of students and I. I thought his studies held up and lifted SUNO. In the seventies, students poured in the school to join the band. There were even people enquiring who weren’t enrolled yet and they eventually enrolled. Kidd had workshops with people like the late Guitarist, George Davis. Also, Clark Terry was one of the greats who did Clinics for Kidd. Just recently, I said he caused hundreds to enroll, attend and graduate from SUNO. I went to SUNO on a GI bill and had no intentions to study music. In 1972, I dropped out of school because of the demonstrations and the death of students at Southern University by police during protest. But Kidd recruited many musicians and myself to join the SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY JAZZ ENSEMBLE at SUNO. So, I return to SUNO. He took in many students across the New Orleans area. Elmhurst Jazz Festival (where he introduced us to Herbie Hancock) and Contest along with Greenwich Village are just some of the few events Kidd took us to. At the time, musicians were “wall to wall.” His soft spoken demeanor was only moved when it came down to helping students and his family. He had an honest way about himself that made you know he meant well and was interested in your well being and learning in life. Yes, he taught life lessons everyday. I learned
“Strength in numbers” and when he wanted one to listen up, he’d say “They will nail you to the Cross.” Timely, he knew how and what to say. Because of Kidd, I introduced, Michael Batiste, Peter Batiste, Russ Batiste, Damon Batiste, Jamal Batiste, Travis Batiste and Jon Batiste to Kidd for studies because I knew he would be good for my family - and he was. One time, I introduced my son and nephews (each under the age of 10 at the time) Jon, Travis and Jamal to him and he asked “What instrument do they play?” They said, “Drums.” He told them everybody can’t play the drums in your group. So, I told Jon to play the keyboard - Travis to play the Bass Guitar and Jamal to play the Drums. Ultimately, we formed the Batiste Kids. Today, Jon has 5 Grammys. Each child had a forte on their perspective instrument. But it was Kidd's brilliance that played a major part in those beginning music students. I’m blessed that he wouldn’t hesitate to call me. His wife and family meant the world to him. All of us are blessed to have him in our presence. Today “Music” is weeping because it’s biggest advocate has departed from us. It is not a sad day. It is a day to rejoice his life. Do something good for a neighbor in his honor.
As I am writing this Tribute to “Kidd Jordan,” all I can hear is “Kidd Jordan Secondline.” He recorded that with his students.
Paul
GORDON BUTLER AND ANTHONY MADISON
TRAVIS AND JON BATISTE
Check out this great video
Check out this great video
Check out this great video
BAND DIRECTOR MR. PAUL BATISTE
from the FREEZE ALBUM
FAMILY
Paul Batiste
“THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE”
Don’t be misled by a water down or diluted version of the real thing. “Batiste Brothers Band®” / “The Batiste Family®” has given you the goodwill and integrity at Jazz Fest and abroad since 1978. But most of you called us Batiste Fathers, Sons, Nephews, Friends and the likes. However, we are the Batiste trade name, and that comes with respect for the audience. We would never try to mislead you. You can have confidence that we will always have you in mind first.
Don’t mistake the “Batiste Fathers and sons” for being our group. We do not endorse this group. We are not playing a Jazz Fest this year as some calls have thought. Again, we will never mislead you. There can only be only Batiste branded in entertainment for you. Thank you for only wanting the original.
I named the band Batiste Brothers Band but most newspaper articles call us Batiste Family, Batiste Clan or other Batiste family connotations because we always have more than brothers on stage.
Jon Batiste, Jamal Batiste and Travis Batiste on Louisiana Jukebox when they were kids.......The Batiste Kids CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Jon Batiste as band director on "Late Night Show" with Stephen Colbert Jon, Jamal, Travis, Jordan, David, Paul and Michael The Batiste Kids and the Batiste Brothers at the Louisiana Children's Museum....................years ago! The Batiste Family Late Night President Clinton Lee's Song Paul Batiste and the Batiste Brothers Band All Rights Reserved IT'S THE WORLD WIDE DIGITAL RELEASE OF "WORLD OF BLUES" BY PAUL BATISTE ..............ON JULY 27, 2013 AT ITUNES AND AMAZON MP3 AND MANY OTHER DIGITAL MUSIC ONLINE STORES............................................................
By Bruce Alpert, NOLA.com | Times-Picayune
on February 13, 2013 at 2:38 PM, updated February 13, 2013 at 3:41 PMPrintEmail
WASHINGTON - "Dream big. Don't aim low, aim high." That was the message First Lady Michelle Obama delivered Wednesday to 80 Middle School students, including 22 from New Orleans. "You have to prepare your minds and your bodies for greatness," Mrs. Obama said at the ornate State Dining Room at the White House.
Michelle Obama and family (White House photo)
For now, she told the students, their main job, as she regularly reminds her two daughters, "is to go to school, do your homework everyday."
The New Orleans contingent was from Batiste Cultural Arts Academy, one of eight schools nationally chosen for a two-year federal Turnaround Arts program designed to show how involvement in the arts can boost grades, graduation rates and civil engagement.
The First Lady told the students that in addition to working hard at school, they need to read everything "you can get your hands on."
"That's one of the things that President Obama does - he reads everything. He reads all the time. You have to read, read, and read again," Mrs. Obama said.
The First Lady told the students if they work hard, and get a little encouragement along the way, they will have great opportunities.
"The truth is that I know that I wouldn't be where I am today, and I know that my husband, President Obama, wouldn't be where he is today if he hadn't gotten that kind of inspiration from somebody in our lives. We wouldn't be who we are today without all these people who pushed us and believed in us and gave us opportunities to learn and grow and fulfill our potential. We wouldn't be here."
The students watched the Academy Award nominated film, "Beasts of the Southern Wild," and Mrs. Obama signaled how she'd vote if given the chance. The inspiring story of how a six-year-old girl helped her family overcome tremendous obstacles in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, is one of the "most powerful and most important" films in a long time, Mrs. Obama said.
"It shows us the strength of our communities, no matter what they look like," Mrs. Obama said. "It shows us that these communities can give us the power to overcome any kind of obstacles. And it also tells a compelling story of poverty and devastation, but also of hope and love in the midst of some great challenges."
The cast and crew later participated in a q and a with the students and Rachel Goslins, the director of the President's Committee on the Arts.
The Batiste students were excited about the chance to meet Mrs. Obama, as well as the star of the inspirational movie, Quvenzhane Wallis, who plays six-year-old Hushpuppy. Hushpuppy, the movie's heroine.
"
"It was great," said Gary Robichaux, executive director of the charter management organization, ReNew, which operates Batiste. "We got to meet with the First Lady. We just watched the president land in his helicopter from his trip (to North Carolina). And we even got to see Bo (the Obama's dog) play on the front lawn of the White House. Very cool."
The students were excited.
"I know New Orleans has a lot of negative things going on, and this is a chance to see something positive," said Algernon Jacques, 12, a 7th grader.
Algernon got the advice from Mrs. Obama he sought on "how to do well in life."
Paul Batiste, founder of the Batiste Brothers Band who helped found the school located at the former Live Oak Elementary School, said he's thrilled the students had a chance to meet the First Lady and get a behind-the-scenes look at America's most famous house.
"I can't tell how excited I am that our students are getting this opportunity," Batiste said. "The students have come a long way."
When the kids are away, their
Teachers will play!
Talented teachers by day turn into celebrated
musicians by night.
Stories by KENNETH SNOW
Contributing writer
They listen to loud music, run with a fast crowd and stay out late. After a particularly rowdy night, you
may even see their pictures in the newspaper. And they have a powerful influence on your child.
Fifteen years old and onstage, live at the Apollo! That day in 1965, Paul Batiste was far more interested
in finishing his schooling than in making a career of it. The performance was a talent show and the Gladiators, who
had driven all the way from New Orleans, had won.
" Another one of my biggest thrills in high school was when we backed up Aaron Neville in a live performance of
"Tell It Like It Is.' " Batiste said. "In the "70s we opened for a lot of bands like The Temptations, O'Jays, Major Lance
(of Monkey Time' fame) and Chris Kenner, who did 'Land of a Thousand Dances' "
Today the Batiste Brothers Band records on its own label, Artang Records, and has produced
two CDs, "Spice" (1991) and the recently released "New Orleans Music." On that one, he plays guitar,
keyboards and sings.
Meanwhile, the local favorites have begun to build a strong international following, especially in Japan.
In 1992 they were the first New Orleans group to play the Kobe Urban Resort Fair, where they
were warned not to be offended by a low key response from the reserved Japanese audience.
"But before we were finished, " Batiste said, "they were second-lining up on the stage with us. Those
10,000 people were all up and dancing."
The performance that sparked a love affair with New Orleans sound -- more than 60 local
performers were invited to last year's fair -- was all in a day's work for a man who has taught music
in Orleans Parish for over a decade.
Batiste began studies for a music education degree at Southern University in New Orleans in 1971.
"I went to SUNO to learn music theory.....in hopes of pursuing a performing career," he said.
However, his instructors persuaded him to turn toward teaching, Another push came when he
found that he had a gift for communicating with children while teaching music at a summer camp.
As for growing fame and international appearances, "I'm entrenched in education," he said. "I have thorough
plans for my future that includes going back for my master's and opening a private music school in New Orleans."
Praise the Lord
Check out this great video
Sign up to hear from us about specials, sales, and events.
Sign up to hear about upcoming shows, albums, and events.
Copyright © 2023 The Batiste Family - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.