JON BATISTE HONORED BY GRAMMY MUSEUM

Jon Batiste, no stranger to Grammy love, will get another statuette for his mantel this spring when the Grammy Museum bestows upon him the inaugural Ray Charles Architect of Sound award.

Seven-time Grammy winner Batiste will accept the honor at the annual Grammy Hall of Fame gala, transpiring on 5/16 at L.A.’s Beverly Hilton.

Batiste will perform as part of the program, which celebrates the 2025 Grammy HOF-inducted recordings, including JAY-Z’s Reasonable Doubt, Cat Stevens’ Tea for the Tillerman, Santana’s Supernatural and works by Big Star, Clara Ward, Eddie Floyd, Emmylou Harris, Fela Kuti & Afrika 70, Geeshie Wiley, Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine, J.D. Crowe & the New South, Linda Martell and Luther Vandross.

CBS’s Anthony Mason returns to host the event, which will be produced by former Grammy executive producer Ken Ehrlich with Ron Basile, Lindsay Saunders and Carl and Lynne Sheridan. Musical direction will be provided by Grammy- and Latin Grammy-winning composer, producer and conductor Cheche Alara.

Batiste said, “Ray Charles is a beacon for me, a blueprint. He is a singular example of musical genius, artistic freedom and craft of the highest level that will continue to inspire humanity for generations. I am honored to receive this award.”

Added Grammy Museum President/CEO Michael Sticka, “Ray Charles was a trailblazing artist whose influence knows no bounds, and Jon Batiste is a true reflection of that legacy."