Photo by Keith Hill

[Photos] Jon Batiste Performs at Newport Jazz Festival

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Jon Batiste performed at the Newport Jazz Festival on Saturday, August 4, 2023.

“This is not a performance, but a spiritual experience,” Batiste claimed after entering the stage and sitting on its edge, sporting his bright red tuxedo. The set opened with a yet unreleased original about worship, relationship and spirituality. Batiste also performed a number of classic tunes including Ray Charles’ “Night Time is the Right Time,” “Let The Good Times Roll,” or “Moon River.” But the originals kept rolling out with his “I Need You,” “Freedom,” “Drink Water,” and closing out with “I Feel Good.” During that closer, Batiste led the crowd in his staple show ender that he calls “love riots,” hopping off stage melodica in hand and roaming through the dancing crowd.

 Photos by Keith Hill