Stephen Colbert picks Jonathan Batiste, New Orleans musician, as bandleader
Stephen Colbert is ready to strike up the band with musician Jonathan Batiste as his Late Show bandleader.
Colbert made the announcement of Batiste on Thursday, saying his music "makes the audience feel so good, we may have to install a 'Do Not Make Love' sign."
Batiste is a singer and educator from New Orleans who has toured globally with his band, Stay Human, and has collaborated with performers including Prince, Wynton Marsalis and Lenny Kravitz. He studied at the Juilliard School, where he received his undergraduate and master's degrees.
The 28-year-old has also appeared onscreen, in David Simon's HBO series Treme, and the 2012 Spike Lee film Red Hook Summer.
Colbert used to host The Colbert Report on Comedy Central. He's stepping into CBS's late-night slot long occupied by David Letterman.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert starts Sept. 8.