Jon Batiste on Music’s Power: “I process the world around me through piano”
The multi-talented Grammy winner shares how his Thelonious Monk-inspired releases reflect music’s capacity to heal.
Jon Batiste performs as he promotes the upcoming film "The Thomas Crown Affair" at the Amazon MGM Studios presentation at The Dolby Colosseum at Caesars Palace during CinemaCon, the official convention of Cinema United, on April 15, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images.
Jon Batiste is explaining the healing power of music and how it has inspired his latest releases. The multi-Grammy-winning singer/songwriter, pianist, composer and bandleader has released a trifecta of piano-themed albums, Black Mozart, Monk Meditations and Monk Movements, inspired by the works of Thelonious Monk. And in a recent Instagram video, Batiste explained why this music — and the experience of putting it together — has been so therapeutic for him.
“The genius is the one that’s most like themself,” Batiste says in the video. “As the great Thelonious Monk said.” He went on to explain how much this particular project has helped him and inspired him.
“Talking meditations,” he continued. “These are some of my favorite piano compositions I’ve ever recorded. I shaped some of those compositions into a meditation album."
“It’s something that sounds like the color of the sky at dawn. The sound of rest. The sound of mist and morning rain. This record is something of an epiphany for me and I'm excited to share it with y’all.”
He also explained how it ties into his intentions with his overall piano series.
“It’s a part of my piano series: The Batiste Piano Series,” he explains. “For those of y’all that don’t know, I started The Batiste Piano Series for this reason."
“Just to share my journey with everyone as I process the world around me through the piano.”
Alongside the video, Batiste wrote in the caption that he believes in the healing power of music.
“I believe the greatest music finds us when we need it most,” he wrote. “ I look forward to witnessing how the music finds you now that it's yours! As part of my piano series, we released three piano albums yesterday, including Monk Meditations (Batiste Piano Series Vol 3).”
Subscribe to Okayplayer newsletters and get more music and culture news delivered directly to your inbox. Join here.
