Jon Batiste named band leader for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

[Hardbopjazz]

Colbert Announces New ‘Late Show’ Band Leader

Variety Staff

Stephen Colbert has introduced Jon Batiste as the new “Late Show” band leader on CBS. The talk show host made the announcement on Thursday.

“His music makes the audience feel so good, we may have to install a ‘Do Not Make Love’ sign,” said Colbert.

“I’m thrilled! This is a match made in heaven. Get ready for a love riot in late night,” said the musician.

Batiste, who hails from New Orleans, most recently appeared on the second and third seasons of HBO’s “Treme.”

“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” premieres on Sept. 8.

http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/colbert-announces-new-late-show-band-leader-1201512571/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpgYeMKALV4

[JSngry]

It's not Sonny Sharrock, but Colbert is not Space Ghost either.

[AllenLowe]

Batiste's band is really annoying.

[BFrank]

It's not Sonny Sharrock, but Colbert is not Space Ghost either.

... and Batiste is still alive.

[Hot Ptah]

I saw Batiste live, and thought that Batiste himself was quite good.

[sgcim]

I dunno who he is, but he's got to be a better jazz player than Paul Schaffer and his lame-ass band( except the horns).

Schaffer was on Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz Show, and I've had HS students who could play better jazz than he could.

[Ted O'Reilly]

I don't think Shaffer ever claimed to be a jazz pianist. I'd guess the producers of Piano Jazz were looking for some sort of 'link to the kids' thing.

Shaffer's a human jukebox, and is valuable for his ability to respond quickly in live situations.

[BFrank]

I don't think Shaffer ever claimed to be a jazz pianist. I'd guess the producers of Piano Jazz were looking for some sort of 'link to the kids' thing.

Shaffer's a human jukebox, and is valuable for his ability to respond quickly in live situations.

Exactly. Also Dave liked him, so he made a good foil during the show. I don't have a problem with Shaffer - he is a good leader (also runs the house band at the annual R&R HoF) and well-suited for a talk show band.

[GA Russell]

How is Jon Batiste related to Alvin? Nephew?

[Hot Ptah]

Live, Jon is a good mainstream jazz pianist, a pleasant singer, and has a happy, engaging stage personality. He connected with people in the audience who had never listened to jazz, while giving jazz fans a performance of substance.