Batiste’s latest album is a return to his classical music roots — on his terms. Hear him improvise on some of Beethoven’s classics.
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00:00] Start[
01:46] Is the secret to long life embracing the mundane?[
03:16] The gift of mistakes.[
04:13] Why did Jon wait until he was 10 to speak?[
06:42] How music and performance entered the picture.[
07:31] An early exercise in winning over the room.[
09:08] Choosing the personal facets that art expresses.[
11:04] From a disappointing grade school performance to the Grammys.[
16:10] Cultivating suspense and shifting modes of creative expression.[
22:39] When perspective drives motivation more than stakes.[
27:44] Spiritual practice and grounding mantras.[
35:43] Surrender, acceptance, and growth through health challenges.[
38:48] The fuzzy line between blessing and curse.[
42:07] Growing up bullied as the “least talented” in a musical family.[
48:42] Jon’s visionary mother guided him toward piano.[
51:15] Parental support for Jon’s relocation to New York City.[
52:13] Serious setbacks that almost made Jon quit Juilliard and music altogether.[
57:07] Jon’s advice to a younger musician enduring a similar path of hardships.[
1:00:14] How Jon owns what comes his way rather than allowing it to overwhelm him.[
1:05:20] Cultivating generosity without being drained.[
1:07:39] Jon’s billboard is invisible — but with deep posts.[
1:09:49] My rough draft of five deep handfuls.[
1:16:16] Jon’s answer in musical improv.[
1:24:33] Jon’s upcoming album: Beethoven Blues (with bonus blues tutorial).[
1:38:35] Taking the hypotenuse to catharsis and other Parting thoughts.