The Batiste Brothers are a musical juggernaut, a tribe spanning generations and producing some of the best-known names on the New Orleans scene, including drummer Russell Batiste Jr. and the world-renowned, multi-Grammy-winning Jon Batiste.
As the joke goes, what do you get with 25 musical Batistes? A captive audience! But audiences around the world have for years delighted in the old school funk and blues laid down by members of the clan. Back in the 1960’s and 70s, the Metairie, Louisiana-based family, led by dad John J. Batiste Sr. and mom Estella Batiste, were a very musical household, with all seven sons playing and singing. Son David formed David Batiste and the Gladiators, which morphed into the Batiste Brothers Band in 1976, and included Paul (guitar, flute, songwriter), Michael (bass, lead vocals), Peter (keyboard, vocals), Russell (percussion), and David Batiste (keyboard). David moved on to play with The Meters, among others, while various sons and nephews, including Damon, Jamal, Russell, Jr., and Jonathan got their starts in the Batise Brothers before moving on to their own successful careers (Russell Jr. took over the drum throne with The Funky Meters). The family tree also includes the late, beloved “Uncle” Lionel Batiste of the Treme Brass Band and Milton Batiste of the Olympia Brass Band.
The Batiste Brothers spent years performing with the R & B greats of the day, including Wilson Pickett, Professor Longhair, Percy Sledge, Johnny Adams, Mandrill, and Al Green, touring with BB King, The Temptations, David Ruffin and Jackie Wilson, among others, and recording with stars like Allen Toussaint and Isaac Hayes. (Brother Michael, Jon’s dad, played bass on the Chitlin Circuit for years with Wilson and Hayes.) Early recordings included several well-known singles, including 1978’s “Starlight,” and 1979’s “Hooked on You.” The Brothers also have supported several art and cultural programs over the years, with brother Paul A. Batiste becoming a well-known music educator. A new generation of Batistes is now incorporating their deep-rooted family traditions into contemporary sounds.
