He comes from a long line of New Orleans musicians, including his father, Michael, a bassist who performed with Jackie Wilson and Isaac Hayes on the "Chitlin’ Circuit" in the ’60s and ’70s.
He says his father was his first mentor, as was Alvin Batiste, the late clarinetist, “who taught everyone from New Orleans music over the last 40 years.” Add to that lineage "Uncle" Lionel Batiste from the Treme Brass Band, Milton Batiste from the Olympia Brass Band and his cousin Russell Batiste Jr., who played with the Funky Meters.
[3]Jean Batiste was born in Metairie, Louisiana, and moved to New York City, where he met Estella.
[1] Their grandchildren include Jon Batiste (born 1986), American jazz pianist, and Russell Batiste Jr. (born 1965), American drummer.
Other family members include Lionel Batiste of the Treme Brass Band, Milton Batiste of the Olympia Brass Band, and composer and arranger Harold Battiste.