Jon Batiste and Stephen Colbert.Photo: Scott Kowalchyk/CBS via Getty
It’s the end of an era forStephen ColbertandJon Batiste.
During Thursday night’s episode ofThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert,Colbertannouncedthat thefive-time Grammy-award-winning musician, 35, would be leaving his post as bandleader after seven seasons on the show.
Colbert explained that following Batiste’s absence from the show this summer, the musician had made the official decision to leave the show.
“It’s for all the best reasons,” Colbert, 58, said. “Including to continue sharing his art with the world.”
Colbert said that while they will miss Batiste, he looks forward to welcoming him back to the studio in a different way in the future.
Stephen Colbert and Jon Batiste.Jim Spellman/WireImage
“I can’t wait to have you back on as a guest with your next hit record,” Colbert said. “I love you.”
Despite Batiste’s departure, Colbert said the band will stay intact withLouis Cato, whom he called a “musical genius” stepping in as bandleader. According to a release from CBS, Cato, who is a Grammy-nominated musician, has been serving as interim bandleader this summer ahead of the announcement.
Louis Cato.The Late Show with Stephen Colbert/YouTube
“It has been one of the great honors of my life to work on this show, alongside some of the most talented musicians and creatives I know,” Cato said, per the release “Watching and learning from both Jon and Stephen for these past seven years, I’m genuinely excited to continue the tradition of excellence they’ve established.”
Cato has been withThe Late ShowBand since the show launched and will officially take the helm when it returns for its eighth season on Tuesday, Sept. 6.
According to the release, Cato has worked with an assortment of acts over the years includingBeyoncé,Mariah Carey,John LegendandA Tribe Called Quest.
“I have ambitions to do anything creative with good people that are dedicated to the craft. I’m constantly working. I’m constantly creating, I’m constantly trying to find that thing that is the muse that drives me. I’m always in the space where anything can happen,” he said. “I don’t want to limit any of the possibilities. I definitely want to make more music, but anything as long as it’s with the right people and it feels aligned.”
The Late Show with Stephen Colbertwill return for its eighth season early next month.
source: people.com
