Trent Reznor and Jon Batiste Explain How Pixar’s ‘Soul’ Got Its Musical Heart
Soul,” the protagonist, Joe Gardner, a frustrated middle-school band teacher yearning to be a jazz pianist, describes moments of sublime musical creativity as being “in the zone.” While that state plays a pivotal role in the film, it also describes the rarified atmosphere that pianist Jon Batiste is occupying these days.Known for his day job as the bandleader on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” the 34-year-old New Orleans-born, Juilliard-trained keyboardist contributed the crucial jazz component to “Soul.” He’s up for two Grammy Awards at this year’s (delayed) ceremony and will release another album, “We Are,” on March 19, but his music in “Soul” is generating even more critical kudos these days — and 2021 Oscar buzz.