Ever since Stephen Colbert became the host of The Late Show, Jon Batiste has been there at his side as the band’s leader. After seven seasons, Batiste has announced his departure from the programme and will be replaced by Louis Cato. Cato became part of Stay Human when the group was hired to play on The Late Show, and he has been acting as bandleader throughout the summer. A veteran of the American music industry for more than a decade, Batiste has just recently begun to get widespread acclaim for his work. As early as 2021, he was recognised for his contributions to Soul music for Pixar.
Then, he was nominated for eleven Grammys this year, and he ended up winning five of them. Colbert announced Batiste’s departure on Thursday night’s show, citing “personal and professional interests” as the reason. Though his departure from the programme is disappointing, many of his supporters are thrilled at the prospect of extra time for Batiste to focus on recording his next album. A quote from Colbert: For the past seven years, we’ve had the great fortune to witness Jon’s remarkable abilities up close. Is he going to be missed around here? ‘Yeaaa!’ But congratulations, Jon; I can’t wait to have you back on the show as a guest when you release your next smash single.
When the eighth season of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert premieres in September, Cato will assume the post of band leader permanently. Cato can play a number of instruments and does so proficiently. He has also led the band for the performance before, having filled in for Batiste on many occasions. They will no longer be called “Stay Human,” but rather “The Late Show Band,” with Cato at the helm. Colbert once said of Cato’s musical ability, “Louis has done a tremendous job this summer, and he is extremely humble, so he won’t say this. On the other hand, I will. Quite simply, he has a gift for music that few others possess.
There aren’t many instruments he can’t master in that country. Provide him with a shoehorn and an afternoon, and he’ll be playing Mozart in no time. Cato responded to the news with his own statement, saying: Working on this show with some of the most gifted musicians and artists I know has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. I’ve learned a lot from Jon and Stephen over the last seven years, and I’m eager to carry on their legacy of greatness.