PAUL BATISTE and russ "strong"

Hi Paul,

I am a native New Orleanian - now living in Virginia (Washington, DC) where I am
a retired Federal Employee and former two-term political appointee of the Bill
Clinton Administration.  I moved to the East Coast in the mid 80s.  Although I
grew up in Marrero, I always knew of all the happenings in and around the City
of New Orleans (even while there on travel or vacations with my family).  I am
forever proud to call NOLA home and everyone who knows me - knows I am one of
New Orleans' finest.

I have very fond memories of "The Batiste Brothers Band."   My friends and I
followed you all from the Eastbank to the Westbank to the Outerbanks.  In fact,
my best friend's ex-husband (Teetie) was once your lead singer.  Among my
fondest memories are times spent under the bridge on Orleans and Claiborne on
Mardi Gras day and (without revealing my age...) at the Gong Shows with the late
Bobby Marchand (sp?).  OMG!!! I remember dancing until my clothes were drenched
and hair was stuck to my forehead.  I even remember parting with you guys at a
little "Hole in the Wall" in Kenner (off Airline Highway).  Man...we partied so
hard that night that we were unaware of a terrible storm and a tornado that
touched down nearby.  Me and the girls still laugh about it.  Those were the
days!

I stumbled across your enlightening story by accident while surfing on the
Internet.  Who knew?  Actually, I was always impressed with your poise and found
you extremely talented (and handsome).  I also got the impression that you were
the more serious and business savvy brother in the group because you were so
quiet.  A striking reminder of myself.  After reading your story I now see why.  
I am also a firm believer of fighting for what's right as well as fighting for
what's rightfully yours.  I applaud and admire that you take seriously your
family's legend - for it truly has its place in New Orleans History.

Your spirit reminds me of my two favorite quotes...

    "The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person's
determination."
                By Tommy Lasorta

And...

    "Above all, remember that the most important thing you can take anywhere is
not a Gucci
Bag or French-cut jeans; it's an open mind."
                By Gail Rubin Bereny

You are my new inspiration!  I salute you Paul and wish YOU and your talented
family long life and much continued success. I pray that the next generation
represents the groundwork that you've set forth with as much poise and grace as
you have.

Peace and Blessings.  Be well.

Gilda "Gi-Gi"  Hagan-Brown

"If I round it off between people I forgot, 25," he laughs. "The youngest baby is my heart ... and everybody's saying he's got music in him."

All the Batistes, really, have music in them. The family, which comprises enough players and singers to have millions of possibilities for combinations of the Batiste Brothers Band, is responsible for raising artists like Jonathan Batiste, Jamal Batiste, David Batiste, Russell Batiste Jr. and Damon Batiste. Look further into the family tree, and they're also connected to others who came before, "Uncle" Lionel Batiste, Milton Batiste of the Olympia Brass Band and the family of Harold Battiste.

New Orleans Musical Families

See photos of New Orleans' musical families, and watch them perform together.

In an interview with Stephen Colbert, Jonathan Batiste, who serves as the bandleader on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," talked about his sizable musical family.

"I have over 30 cousins that play," he said.

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Paul Batiste, though, who operates as an unofficial historian for the family and who co-published a book about the same, has a theory as to how all that talent could come from one bloodline.

"I've thought about that a lot of times, because I know this is the reason: Captive audience," he laughs. "It's that simple."

Growing up "two people shy of a baseball team," Batiste and his six brothers were hearing their parents play music before they could sit at a piano or a set of drums themselves. His parents, Estella and Jean Batiste, met in New York but moved to New Orleans, where they owned a grocery store and a hardware store in the Ninth Ward. They bought the children their first instruments and, with neighbors who were likewise capable of playing, the Batiste boys were quickly indoctrinated into the New Orleans music scene. Four of them went on to become professional musicians.

"I used to get a call from Mom everyday, so we were constantly talking. ... Every Thanksgiving, we had seven boys there. If someone was in the military, they'd have to fly in," explains Batiste. "It provides a sort of energy."

Now, with new generations of Batistes, the family has grown exponentially, and family reunions are often spent making music. Performances themselves are reunions, whether they're at the Kids Tent at Jazz Fest or out-of-town spreading New Orleans music.

When the kids are away, their

Teachers will play!

Talented teachers by day turn into celebrated

musicians by night.

Stories by KENNETH SNOW

Contributing writer

They listen to loud music, run with a fast crowd and stay out late. After a particularly rowdy night, you
may even see their pictures in the newspaper. And they have a powerful influence on your child.   
 Fifteen years old and onstage, live at the Apollo!  That day in 1965, Paul Batiste was far more interested
in finishing his schooling than in making a career of it.  The performance was a talent show and the Gladiators, who
had driven all the way from New Orleans, had won.
 " Another one of my biggest thrills in high school was when we backed up Aaron Neville in a live performance of
"Tell It Like It Is.' " Batiste said.  "In the "70s we opened for a lot of bands like The Temptations, O'Jays, Major Lance
(of Monkey Time' fame) and Chris Kenner, who did 'Land of a Thousand Dances' "
 Today the Batiste Brothers Band records on its own label, Artang Records, and has produced
two CDs, "Spice" (1991) and the recently released "New Orleans Music."  On that one, he plays guitar,
keyboards and sings.  
Meanwhile, the local favorites have begun to build a strong international following, especially in Japan.                                                                           
 In 1992 they were the first New Orleans group to play the Kobe Urban Resort Fair, where they
were warned not to be offended by a low key response from the reserved Japanese audience.   
 "But before we were finished, " Batiste said,  "they were second-lining up on the stage with us.  Those
10,000 people were all up and dancing."  
 The performance that sparked a love affair with New Orleans sound -- more than 60 local
performers were invited to last year's fair -- was all in a day's work for a man who has taught music
in Orleans Parish for over a decade.
 Batiste began studies for a music education degree at Southern University in New Orleans in 1971.
 "I went to SUNO to learn music theory.....in hopes of pursuing a performing career," he said.
However, his instructors persuaded him to turn toward teaching,  Another push came when he
found that he had a gift for communicating with children while teaching music at a summer camp.
 As for growing fame and international appearances, "I'm entrenched in education," he said.  "I have thorough
plans for my future that includes going back for my master's and opening a private music school in New Orleans."