A special tribute performance in memory of Russell Batiste, Jr., who passed away on Sept. 30, will take place this Wednesday night. Batiste will be honored by members of Serabee’s Roots Revival Band, a group in which Batiste played drums for the past year and a half. Family members of the widely acclaimed artist will be performing in  his memory, including Russell’s  brother, Jamal Batiste on the drums in   his stead, as well as appearances by Russell’s father, David Batiste, and his brother, Jamal Batiste.

Serabee said, “the stars aligned” during their first performance together, calling Russell Batiste Jr.  a “musical genius” who sang with her “like a sibling harmonizing” and that “the world has lost one of the best  drummers I’ve ever known.”

On Monday, Russell’s cousin, Jon Batiste, tweeted from Paris, during Paris Fashion Week, his shock about Russell’s passing. “I’m over her in Paris in a state of shock. We really lost Russ  He was a force of nature, one of the most original and authentic people you’ll ever meet. A Bunche Village legend. Purple Knight Marching 100 LEGEND!! A Batiste LEGEND! Long Live The Young Lion RUSS.”

The Russell Batiste tribute show will be held Wednesday, October 4, from 8 p.m.-midnight at Bourbon O’Bar, 730 Bourbon Street.