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Stories   >   Montreux Jazz Festival Miami is set to return for its second edition with Jon Batiste & Friends headlining / POLLSTAR

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Montreux Jazz Festival Miami is set to return for its second edition with Jon Batiste & Friends headlining / POLLSTAR

Posted: October 31, 2024

Multi-Grammy and Oscar Award winner Jon Batiste today announced his eighth studio album, Beethoven Blues (Batiste Piano Series, Vol. 1), out November 15 via Verve Records / Interscope. Marking the first installment in Batiste’s new solo piano series, the project showcases his interpolations of some of Beethoven’s most iconic works, which he has reimagined through an expansive lens. These reimagined classics embody the indomitable spirit of the blues, and – true to Batiste’s “message of open-armed inclusivity” (New York Times) – embrace a broad genre spectrum.  

The inspiration for Beethoven Blues gained momentum after a 2023 interview with CNN’s Chris Wallace, where Batiste demonstrated music’s ability to transcend genre borders by transforming Beethoven’s Bagatelle No. 25 (“Für Elise”) at the piano (watch HERE). The profound response from audiences across social media helped signal the timing was right to make this long-held album idea a reality. For years, Batiste has incorporated interpolations of classical music into his albums, TV performances, and live shows, but Beethoven Blues marks the first time he’s dedicated an entire album to this practice.

“For each work on the album, the starting point was one of Beethoven’s original compositions,” Batiste shared. “From there, I created something new at the piano, in real time. Spontaneous composition is a practice that’s all but lost in classical music, which can sometimes feel overly canonized.  Recording this album was a deeply spiritual experience. It allowed me to honor Beethoven’s transcendent artistry while bringing his work into dialogue with my own creative journey.”

Batiste has been variously described as “a certified musical genius” (The Guardian), “a protean pianist and megawatt personality” (Variety), and “a once-in-a-generation talent, with a passion for … connecting people through a shared love of music-making” (Classic FM). Born into a long line of Louisiana musicians, he trained as a classical pianist and received both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in piano from New York’s Juilliard School. He now works with students and faculty as an inaugural Juilliard Creative Associate, as well as serving on the Juilliard board.  Additionally, Batiste is on the Board of Trustees at Carnegie Hall as an Artist Trustee.

He returned to his classical roots in the 2021-22 season, when he curated a multi-concert “Perspectives” series at New York’s Carnegie Hall. This was crowned by the world premiere of his American Symphony (2022), a Carnegie Hall commission, on the venue’s main stage. Classical Source welcomed this large-scale orchestral work as “a joyous and beefy blend of orchestral sounds, funk, Dixieland, Latin, gospel, country, cool jazz, swing, hip-hop, R&B, as well as other styles and genres,” while Variety reported: 

POLLSTAR writes…..Montreux Jazz Festival Miami is set to return for its second edition Feb. 28 through March 2 with Jon Batiste & Friends headlining the first night. The multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire is a co-owner of the festival and curated this year’s lineup.

“Bringing the soul of Montreux to the heart of Miami is an honor. It’s a rare festival where the room is intimate and musical collaboration and improvisation are central to the experience. We had an unforgettable experience last year and can’t wait to be back,” Batiste said in a statement.  

The event once again takes place at the intimate 1,50-capacity The Hangar at Regatta Cove in the Coconut Grove neighborhood.

Janelle Monáe headlines March 1 and March 2 features an Afro-Cuban “La Descarga” aka an improvised jam session hosted by Batiste and 2024 Latin GRAMMY Record of the Year nominee Cimafunk, with Alfredo Rodriguez, Cimafunk & La Tribu, Pedrito Martinez, Robe L Ninho, Wampi, Yissy Garcia and more to be announced.

Each evening will feature the Montreux Jam Session, curated by Batiste and featuring his band Stay Human.

VIP ticket holders will also have access to a series of masterclasses.

Other perks at the festival include the return of audiophile vinyl listening bar Dante’s HiFi’s pop-up installation.

As for F&B, get ready to enjoy a selection of Miami’s best restaurants including two Michelin-starred Chef Henrique Sá Pessoa’s latest culinary endeavor Sereia.

Additional programming will be announced in the coming months.

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