President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden are hosting their first White House dinner and have tapped Grammy-winning artist Jon Batiste to perform. The Bidens will be hosting French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Mrs. Brigitte Macron. A statement issued by the White House read, in part: “President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host President Emmanuel Macron and Mrs. Brigitte Macron of France for a State Visit to the United States, which will include a state dinner, on December 1, 2022.”
Batiste announced the performance on his social media accounts, writing: “From Kenner to the White House” (Baptiste is a native of Kenner, Louisiana). Vanessa Valdivia, a spokesperson for first lady Jill Biden, said in a statement: “An artist who transcends generations, Jon Batiste’s music inspires and brings people together. We’re thrilled to have him perform at the White House for the first state dinner of the Biden-Harris administration.”
Baptiste won five Grammys this year after being nominated in categories including R&B, jazz, classical, and roots music. His album, ‘We Are’ won the Grammy for Album of the Year. The 36-year-old Batiste led the band for the Late Show with Stephen Colbert for the last seven years, departing in August to more fully pursue music.
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