The highlight of this year's Newport Jazz Festival for me was seeing the charismatic bandleader and piano virtuoso Jon Batiste perform with his band Stay Human. The Juilliard graduates are based in New York City, but their music and performance style is all New Orleans. Batiste, who comes from a long line of Louisiana musicians, has the spirit of The Crescent City in his soul. His band's mission is to bring the joy of live music to the masses, to lift people up by engaging with them during performances. Jon Batiste and Stay Human had the crowd on their feet and filled the Harbor Tent with the kind of rousing excitement that comes naturally with music rooted in the New Orleans tradition. I love it when I can experience a little piece of home here in Newport.
John Batiste smiles at the crowd, harmonaboard in hand, as he performs with his band Stay Human at the Newport Jazz Festival. In the background is Joe Saylor on tambourine. Listen to the set on NPR: Here
Jon Batiste joins Joe Saylor on the drums while performing with his band Stay Human at the Newport Jazz Festival. Listen to the set on NPR: Here
Jon Batiste and his band Stay Human get the crowd on their feet at the Newport Jazz Festival. Listen to the set on NPR: Here
Jon Batiste (melodica) and members of his band Stay Human (from left) Ibanda Ruhumbika (tuba) and Eddie Barbash (saxophone) play among the crowd during their set at the Newport Jazz Festival. Listen to the set on NPR: Here
Jon Batiste, right, and members of his band Stay Human (from left) Joe Saylor, Eddie Barbash and Ibanda Ruhumbika receive applause from fans when they enter the crowd to play a few tunes during their set at the Newport Jazz Festival. Listen to the set on NPR: Here
Hiromi is quite possibly the most dynamic musician I have ever seen. She is a photographer's dream!
Eddie Palmieri laughs at a comment made by a fan as he performes with his Salsa Orchestra during the Newport Jazz Festival. Listen to his set on NPR: Here
Jonathan Powell plays a trumpet solo with Eddie Palmieri and his Salsa Orchestra during the Newport Jazz Festival. Listen to the set on NPR: Here
(from left) Pauline Smith of New Rochelle, NY dances with friend Ronald Hancox of East Hartford, CT, while Ernestine Jennings of Barrington, Eric Mosley of Boston and Rhonda Persip of Boston get down to the sounds of Eddie Palmieri and his Salsa Orchestra during the Newport Jazz Festival. Listen to the set on NPR: Here
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Trumpet players Gregory Davis, left, and Efrem Towns perform with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band.
Our Evangeline is becoming a Jazz Festival regular. She hasn't missed a festival since 2010 when she was in my belly. Here she is with my mom, clearly feeling the familiar New Orleans love coming from Jon Batiste and Stay Human.