Meet Stephen Colbert's 'Late Show' Band Leader
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NEW YORK (CBSMiami) – When Stephen Colbert walks onto the stage of the Ed Sullivan Theater, in a few minutes he'll be serenaded by his new musical sidekick.
Music of course is such an integral part of the late-night landscape.
David Letterman had Paul Shaffer. In fact, they made history together for their longevity as a team.
Now, it's time to say goodbye to the past and meet Stephen Colbert's "Late Show" jazz man.
Forrest Gump would say Shaffer and Letterman went together like "peas and carrots."
Shaffer served as musical director for "Late Night with David Letterman" from way back in 1982 on NBC and then to the "Late Show with David Letterman" from 1993-2015.
Colbert introduced his band leader is a promo a few months before the launch of the show.
"People keep asking who my band leader is going to be. Well, I like this guy," said Colbert pointing to a man with the band.
"Hi, I'm Jon Batiste," responded the jazz man with some musical flair.
Jon Batiste is only 28, but Colbert's band leader has the cool laid back charm and confidence of a virtuoso musician. He was raised in America's jazz capital: New Orleans.
Batiste and Colbert first met on screen in July of 2014 when the leader of the jazz group "Stay Human" appeared as a guest on the "Colbert Report."
He told Katie Couric it was chemistry at first sight.
"Improvisation is for everybody. I'm talking now and I don't know what I'm gonna say. It will be very interactive with Stephen. We're going to figure out the rhythm and how were going to do that and make it natural," he said.
