New Orleans native Jon Batiste performs national anthem at Super Bowl
Updated: 6:28 PM CST Feb 9, 2025
Oh, go down. So we’re gonna get. Yeah Good morning. Good morning. Good morning. So now the four of you have at least 3 things in common. I’d say one, you’re all great musicians. 2, of course you’re all performing at the halftime show and 3, you’re all from Louisiana. Like does that already breed some sort of camaraderie, *** bit of comfort knowing that you’re all from this beautiful state? Absolutely it’s all family, community effort, and that’s what we do here in New Orleans and it’s *** great thing to represent the city. That’s beautiful. So now the sweet spot, obviously when you get out there Sunday is you wanna respect the original, but you wanna add your own flair. Right, so let us see we’ll start with you. What do you, what are some of the plans, some of the insights you can give us because I know you have some vocal acrobatics that you love, love, love to give us. I’m just gonna be myself and uh I love the arrangement that Adam Blackstone put together for me. Wonderful. He just won *** Grammy too it’s crazy, but I’m excited. I’m gonna represent Nola Bay, uh, you know, New Orleans and Oakland too. Trombone Shorty, what about your rendition? What do you have planned? I think me and Lauren, we put together *** very New Orleans brass band street feel to it and emerges some rhythms of Lafayette where she’s from, and we just capturing that moment. So I think it’s gonna be something that you can tap your feet to but still respectable to the original. You’ll be able to definitely understand what we’re doing. I’m looking forward to that. What about you? When I got the call, I was freaking out. OK, I was so excited, but the, the part that got me on my feet was when he sent the rough draft, if you will, of what we were gonna be doing and you know when you plan it out you think, oh, OK, maybe it’ll be *** ballad or whatever just because of how the song is originally no. He said, no, no, no, we’re gonna put *** little spin on this, and it feels so good, it feels so alive. It’s, it’s very true. Um, to the representation that we are allowed to have in this city, it’s beautiful. Um, I love the musicianship that comes out of this city and to be able to represent that means the world. So I gotta hats off to you because you came up with an incredible arrangement. Yeah. And John, I know, listen, this guy’s hard to contain, so what you, what you doing on Sunday, man? Well, you know. I think that music can really communicate. Deep, profound truth. And I believe that this country And our songs and our. Iconography, our messaging, our ideals, all the complexity of all of it. Has *** real important place as we negotiate and continue to redefine it. And I think when you listen to music. It’s *** it’s an amazing capturing of that because it’s constantly evolving while it also is remaining the same. So, That’s why I love creating music because you can take. From the past, bring it into the present. And forecast the future. And that’s what I do every single time I try at least. Wow, that’s very well and you guys can clap for that, you know what I mean. Don’t be afraid. You know it’s like speaking of history and looking to the future, um, so letacy is gonna be performing lift every voice and sing and just *** little history fun fact you seem like *** lady who would enjoy some some history um, the song was performed publicly for the first time all the way back in. 1900. So now we’re looking at 125 years later you’re performing this song not only in your hometown of New Orleans but also simultaneously on *** global stage. Like what does it mean to you to be able to perform this anthem on the stage? 125 years of legacy American history, culture. Every person here. This song I’m overwhelmed. I’m honored. I feel like I’m in alignment with greatness. To stand in this moment and sing that song, so yeah, that’s all I can say about it. I’m honored. I’m about to start crying. It’s, it’s *** listen the black national anthem is, you know, it’s, it’s *** powerful song and, and we’re honored to have you because I, I know you personally and I know what you’re capable of and I know what you’re gonna channel up there and. We’re all gonna feel it, so thank you very much. Can I ask how you, *** question for anyone, how you contain yourself because some of these songs are so emotional and when you’re there performing and you’re in the moment, your heart’s really in it, do you ever get to that point where you feel *** little choked up and you have to somehow dial it back and stay focused? Well, I, I think I’m choked up the whole time, even the phone call, you know what I mean? It starts there. Can you come and sing? But I’m used to this in my career. Just like Mahalia and Marian Anderson, uh, standing in moments being representing the past and the future and the current state of the world, I’m used to that pressure, so I just remember who I’m doing it for. I remember my ancestors. I I remember everyone waiting for this moment to be feel hopeful. And to feel represented, so yeah, I, I do get choked up. I’m choked up the whole time, but I have *** job to do. That’s what I think about. Now, John, uh, you performed one of the most popular renditions of the Star Spangled Banner. Um, and in the in the last 5 years. So what’s your inspiration this time? I’m thinking about my grandfather who just passed. My brother Troy, we played at his funeral, try not to get choked up here, but uh, he was. You know, anything great about me, he was one of the blueprints of that. And he was 17 years old and was the first wave to integrate the navy. Served this country. And I think about *** lot of people in my life who have represented what I believe this song is about and should be about at its highest aspirational level. So when I channel that, It makes it feel like it’s me. But it’s way bigger than me. So, I’m just *** vessel for that energy in the world to continue. And if that can happen, I might get choked up. I might or but but it’s bigger than than anything cause the energy transcends even if You know, you get *** little bit of uh uh uh uh *** mist, you know. But, but I, I think when we’re in the moment when you’re channeling, it’s almost beyond emotion. It’s *** spiritual channel that happens and you get. You’re not present, you’re watching. So that’s really the goal always. For me. That’s *** great goal. That’s incredible and you know Lauren and Trombone Shorty, you touched on it *** bit earlier, but you both come from pretty different musical backgrounds, um, and in true New Orleans style you are going to blend those genres for *** beautiful rendition and so we’d love to hear just *** little bit more about what it was like sitting down together and blending those styles. It was *** lot of fun. We, uh, actually before we did it we talked for like 2 hours just about New Orleans and different things and, and then we got it in and we recorded it. I mean just the, the, the, uh, idea of it, but blending our styles together, the common ground there is Louisiana and there’s rhythms that we both share from Lafayette in New Orleans that that fits well with what we do from the brass band style of music to the zydeco music, Cajun music that that she grew up listening to. And we just try to put that together almost like in *** pot of gumbo. We just put everything in there and it all works out and sounds OK to me. You know, when I was *** little girl, my grandfather would, he would put me on his feet and say, you gotta know how to dance. To live in Louisiana, you gotta know how to dance. And when I hear the rendition that we’re gonna sing, it just, it really does remind me of those moments of dancing in the kitchen and growing up, I, I grew up on Cajun zydeco music, but I would come to New Orleans to fill my soul with the brass bands. I mean, I remember sitting on street corners and just my jaw being dropped to the floor and You know, there’s so many incredible musicians in this city that are profound, like they could go into any studio in any part of the country, the most incredible studios. And the mom and pop studios, you know, and, and blow people out of the water and to be able to be *** part of that synergy and that current that’s flowing through here, I think the common thread that we kind of touched on earlier is family like really when you Troy, we did *** music video, um. Gosh, was that like 2 years ago or something when he came over and at the end he wrapped his arm around my shoulder and he said, you have *** brother in me now. You have *** brother in me, and that meant so much and to be able to represent that thing, that um connection I guess. You know, it’s it’s more than just us, it’s how the whole city functions, whether it’s music or food or culture, you know, it’s how the whole city we look after each other and I think that’s the most beautiful part to be able to represent. You’ll hear it in the sound. Question for all of you guys, uh, you know, when you prepare for performance, now you’re tapping into your spirit, you’re tapping into your community, you’re tapping into the culture, but it helps you gain uh gain *** greater perspective and *** connection not only to yourself but did you guys gain *** greater connection to these songs in any way? We’ll start with you, John. I’m I’m always trying to get *** greater understanding of what is it that *** song actually is. What is the song? And, and what are we doing with this, these energies that we create when we sing *** lyric or *** melody? And what’s inside of *** melody. When you hear *** melody, why does it Make you feel this way. Why has it lasted for so long? How can we think of melodies as building blocks for other, other melodies or other rhythms or other inspiration, you know. So when I’m thinking about one song, I’m thinking about all of them. And That’s been my practice with music is, is how do you make Everything holistic, like life. We’re living. We’re we’re we’re here and um. In approaching this song, I, I’m thinking more about my life and how. My life can be something that honors the country and also honors the lives of everybody who’s watching in the different ways, the universality of our shared humanity. So I don’t think about music when I’m approaching music. I will reframe the thought of that. I think about life and yeah. And and let us see for you any greater, deeper understanding as you prepared for this performance or any performance for that matter. I’m always thinking like John life as well, but also the moment. I think of What is the moment, what is the goal of the moment because I’m usually called upon for *** moment, you know, and so I have to think, uh, of all those things ancestral spiritual, the people, how to please the people, and then I let all that go and think is bigger than you, God help me execute what is the story. And then that’s it for me. Yeah, I’m just being honest, that’s what I did. Um, in these major moments and milestones you guys have accomplished in your career, where does this one rank, Lauren, we’ll start with you. Oh my gosh. Yeah, this would be the milestone. It’s pretty incredible, you know, it’s incredible to be able to share it too. Like, you know, sometimes you do things on your own and it’s great, but to be able to share it, that goes so much deeper and so much further and just sitting on this sofa with this assortment of people is just unbelievable. Like you can, to be in your hometown and, and to be able to sing *** song that you love and you grew up. I mean, I remember being in grade school, we would do the uh the like Honor to the servicemen every single uh Veterans Day, and we would sing this song and I remember it meaning so much to me then. I had no idea that 20 years later, 25 years later, let’s be honest, I’d be singing it, you know, with friends and that, that means so much to me, really does. You know, there’s so much preparation, um. And clearly *** lot of philosophical life thought that goes into preparing these performances and let us see, as you say then it leads up to this one climactic moment um so when you get out there in the minutes and the seconds before it’s time to perform what’s going on in your mind is that when you clear everything out like how do you actually get ready to get on the microphone? Oh, that’s *** lot of things. I just keep thinking of this little girl. From Holly Grove. Riding her bike, singing with her family. Singing, moving to Oakland, then going around the world on bigger stages. And then coming back here full circle back home, sorry. Back home Wanting to show that I am from here too. And to be given that moment I’m thinking of all that and then I’m gonna take *** breath and I’m gonna sing the mess out of the song so that’s what I’m thinking about that’s why it’s emotional. I, my grandparents, my, my family, my cousins, my new family that Troy knows I call you every time it’s just. I think of family and community and then I’m thinking tell the story. That’s it for? You know, someone once told me they said, I was actually doing an Apple Music interview, Kelly, she said, the space between what comes off of your lips. And the way it lands on someone’s ear, that’s God’s face. And when you feel that, when you know this is gonna come off of my lips and I’m just gonna hope and pray that whatever is translated in that thin veil of time lands on people’s ears that actually elicit some sort of transformation. I think that’s, you know, when you talk about it I’m like that’s where she, that’s the airspace you’re working in girl. Yeah, that’s it. That’s it, yeah. You guys ready? You guys ready for Sunday? Make some noise. Alright, thank you. Now, we actually do have some questions for you all as well from our kid reporters. Are you ready? All right, let’s get to our first question. So our first question is from Hayes Adler. Hi Hayes. My name is Hayes Adler. Um, what advice do you, do you have for kids trying to reach their goals? Uh, I think the advice I would say is to make sure whatever it is you’re doing that is passionate, that is pure passion behind it, and that should be your passport to see whatever you wanna see, you know, don’t go for fame or money just really love what you do prac practice very hard and just let the passion drive you. Uh, next, thank you, Hayes. Thank you so much. Uh, next we have Alvin Williams with *** question. Hey, Alvin, how you doing? Hey, I’m Alvin Williams. I’m *** little with Big Brothers and Big Sisters in New Orleans. What is one piece of evidence *** mentor has shared with you that that has stuck with you and you now share with those who you mentor? You belong, you’re worthy. Just study and do your work. Yeah. Thank you Avin and we have one more question from You Dylan. Hello, my name is Young Dylan with Nickelodeon. It’s very nice to meet you guys and um Nickelodeon wants to know if you could slime your biggest inspiration, who would it be and why? And this is for all of you. Well, my biggest inspiration is right here, and I was, I was slime here. Bring out the slime. Let’s go. We got the slime. I mean, we grew up doing all type of crazy things like that to each other, so it’ll be *** big payback to him. Yeah, I slim Troy right back, huh. Let’s listen. Oh, we got some stories. Yeah, in love, the slime. What would you do that to me? I don’t know. I’ve never heard *** question like that. I, the people I would want to slime, they’d really not be happy about being slimy. But if he gets *** pass on this one. He’s sorry. I would say my crew. I took my crew to the Atchafalaya Basin that no people in this room might not know where that is, but it’s around the corner, and I made them jump around, jump in the water with alligators. So I feel like it would be on the same level as being slim. So I’ll do it part two with my crew. Thanks, thanks for those questions, fellas. Those were great questions, guys. Thank you. Gla to see Trombone Shorty, Lauren Daigle, Jean Baptiste, thank you so much for spending your time with us, for sharing your heart with us, looking forward to seeing you perform on Sunday, go out there and have fun. Thank you. Thank you for having me. Thank you so much. Hey thank you so much. This is awesome thank you. This is.
New Orleans native Jon Batiste performs national anthem at Super Bowl
Updated: 6:28 PM CST Feb 9, 2025
A Louisiana native gave an impressive rendition of the national anthem during the Super Bowl.Video above is from the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Performance news conferenceGrammy Award-winning Jon Batiste played the piano while performing the national anthem before the game in the Caesars Superdome. Batiste put a New Orleans spin on the patriotic tune, which elicited a roaring applause. Watch the performance here.
NEW ORLEANS —A Louisiana native gave an impressive rendition of the national anthem during the Super Bowl.
Video above is from the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Performance news conference
Grammy Award-winning Jon Batiste played the piano while performing the national anthem before the game in the Caesars Superdome.
Batiste put a New Orleans spin on the patriotic tune, which elicited a roaring applause.
Watch the performance here.
