There have been speculations about Jon Batiste being blind as he suffers from Synthesthesia.
Jonathan Michael Batiste, 38, born on November 11, 1986, in Metairie, Louisiana, United States, is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and TV personality.
Highlights
- Jon Batiste is not blind; he suffers from synesthesia.
- Batiste battled with mental illness when his wife was diagnosed with leukemia.
- Recently, he has appeared in the comedy-drama Saturday Night.
He has recorded and performed with artists including Stevie Wonder, Prince, Willie Nelson, Lenny Kravitz, ASAP Rocky, Ed Sheeran, Lana Del Rey, Roy Hargrove, Juvenile, and Mavis Staples.
From 2015 to 2022, he appeared nightly with his band, Stay Human, as bandleader and musical director on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
He also served as the music director of The Atlantic and the Creative Director of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem.
In 2020, he co-composed the score for the Pixas animated film Soul, for which he received an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Grammy Award, and a BAFTA Film Award.
He was featured in the documentary movie American Symphony, which records the process of Batiste composing his first Symphony.
In 2024, he appeared in the ensemble comedy-drama Saturday Night, directed by Jason Reitman. He played the role of musician Billy Preston and composed the film’s score.
Jon Batiste Is Not Blind But Is Suffering From Synesthesia
A famous American singer, Jon Batiste, is not blind, and Synesthesia is unrelated to any blindness.
Synesthesia is a neurological condition in which information meant to stimulate one sense stimulates several other senses.
Jon Batiste experiences music and tones in colors, so when he hears specific notes and sounds, he perceives corresponding colors.
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It has inspired his creativity and added unique visual elements to his musical analysis.
While Jon is suffering from Synesthesia, it has raised some discussions on Twitter. One fan posted,
Jon Batiste’s für Elise is absolute insanity. You can hear the synesthesia. It just sounds like that man hears colors. Cuz that shit is a rainbow of sound fr. Pinks, purples, blues, and greens with a lil sprinkle of gold.
Another fan wrote,
Watching Jon Batiste create magic is so fascinating. It’s like he SEES the music
Musician Jon Batiste Also Struggled With Mental Health
Jon Batiste has opened up regarding his struggle with his mental health journey.
He has shared how he struggled with depression and anxiety while balancing his professional and personal life.
He faced a mental health struggle when his wife, author Suleika Jaouadm, was diagnosed with leukemia.
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In one of the interviews, Jon said that he used to suffer panic attacks and anxiety while sitting alone at home.
To manage mental peace and manage stress, Batiste used to do meditation.
Moreover, his openness has cleared the importance of mental wellness, especially in high-stress professions.
Additional Information
- Jon Batiste has an estimated net worth of $4 million as of 2024.
- He was born to his father, Michael Batiste, and his mother, Katherine Batiste.
- Batiste grew up along with his sister, Kaleana Batiste.
