Jon Batiste’s three 2026 Grammy nominations aren’t just another accolade—they’re the culmination of a decade-long quest to redefine Americana music. His collaboration with Randy Newman on *Big Money* proves his mission to “document the real” is reshaping the industry, one genre-blurring note at a time.
The Call That Revived a Legend
When Jon Batiste dialed Randy Newman’s number, he wasn’t just reaching out to a fellow musician—he was reigniting a flame. Newman, 82, had stepped back from performing, but Batiste’s energy proved infectious. Their living-room sessions birthed Lonely Avenue, a track now nominated for Best American Roots Performance at the 2026 Grammys. It’s a testament to Batiste’s ability to pull brilliance from unexpected places.
“He hadn’t been in fighting shape,” Batiste told PEOPLE. “But when I’d come around, he’d want to sing. He’d want to play.” This wasn’t just collaboration; it was resurrection. For Newman, a composer whose career spans six decades, Batiste’s call was a reminder of why he fell in love with music in the first place.
Big Money: The Album Redefining Americana
Batiste’s ninth studio album, Big Money, isn’t just a collection of songs—it’s a manifesto. Recorded in a blistering two weeks, it fuses gospel, soul, blues, and rock into a sound that’s unmistakably American yet defiantly original. The album’s three Grammy nods (including Best Americana Album) signal a shift in how the industry defines the genre.
“Americana was coined around 2000, but it’s ripe for redefinition,” Batiste argues. His vision? A genre that embraces all of America’s musical history—not just the parts that fit a narrow mold. Tracks like Lonely Avenue and Do It All Again (a love letter to his wife, writer Suleika Jaouad) prove his point: this is music that transcends categories.
Why the Grammys Matter—Beyond the Trophy
With seven prior wins, including 2022’s Album of the Year for We Are, Batiste could treat nominations as routine. But Big Money’s recognition feels different. “It means a lot because of what the album represents,” he says. It’s validation for a decade of work—years when he released “Grammy-worthy” records that went unnoticed.
His advice to artists? “Do the work because you’re the only one who can. The rest will follow.” It’s a philosophy that’s earned him not just awards, but a platform to inspire. As he puts it: “We stand on the shoulders of unsung heroes. This is about carrying the tradition forward.”
The New Orleans Roots Behind the Revolution
Batiste’s musical DNA traces back to New Orleans, where he was born into a dynasty of musicians. But his sound isn’t bound by geography. As the former bandleader on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, he brought jazz to millions nightly. Now, he’s using that visibility to redefine what American music can be.
“It’s about pure, communal rhythm,” he explains. Songs like Lonely Avenue thrive in live settings, where the energy between artist and audience becomes part of the composition. This is music as conversation, not performance.
A Love Story in Song: “Do It All Again”
Among Big Money’s standout tracks is Do It All Again, a ballad for Jaouad. “It’s the feeling that everything we’ve been through is still worth it,” Batiste says. Their relationship—a partnership of two artists navigating fame and creativity—fuels his most personal work.
What’s Next: The Grammy Stage and Beyond
On February 1, Batiste will take the Grammy stage with an entourage of “way too many family members and friends.” But his sights are set further. “I want to keep disrupting,” he says. “Bringing people together to create magic—that’s the mission.”
With Newman by his side (their bond now “a beautiful kinship”), he’s not just accepting nominations. He’s redefining what they stand for. “This is just the beginning,” Batiste promises. “The continued expression of the real.”
The 2026 Grammys: A Night to Watch
- Best American Roots Performance: Lonely Avenue (with Randy Newman)
- Best Americana Album: Big Money
- Best American Roots Song: Lonely Avenue
The awards air live on CBS and Paramount+ on Sunday, February 1.
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