Jon Batiste is heading back on tour. The Grammy and Oscar-winning musician is launching his second major headlining run, featuring music from his upcoming album and selections from his latest release, Beethoven Blues (Batiste Piano Series, Vol. 1).
Batiste revealed that the Big Money Tour: Jon Batiste Plays America will kick off on August 27 in Kansas City. The tour includes more than 30 performances across the U.S., hitting cities like Detroit, Austin, Nashville, and Philadelphia. Highlights include a special co-headline date with Diana Ross in St. Louis, and a tour finale in Washington, D.C. on October 31.
For the first time in his career, Batiste will perform at two iconic venues: the Encore Theater in Las Vegas and the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. The tour is designed to give fans a more intimate look into his artistic journey and creative evolution, especially as he approaches the release of his ninth studio album.
“Every show is both an origin story and a manifesto,” said Batiste, who has earned seven Grammys and won an Academy Award for his score to Soul in 2020. This announcement follows his performance of the national anthem at the Super Bowl and the chart-topping success of Beethoven Blues, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s classical albums chart.
Hailing from Louisiana, Batiste is celebrated for his genre-blending sound, mixing elements of R&B, jazz, hip-hop, swing, and pop. He also previously served as the bandleader for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Currently wrapping up his Maestro Tour with a final show in Los Angeles on Monday, Batiste plans to hit the road this fall with his wife, author Suleika Jaouad, who is currently battling cancer for the third time and recently published The Book of Alchemy.
Batiste says the tour is not just about performing—it’s about forging connections through unreleased music that evolves alongside the audience.
“I try to tell the most up-to-date origin story through the set,” he explained. “Even if someone’s never heard my music or seen me before, they’ll walk away feeling like they’ve connected—with the songs, the artist, and the energy. It’s like watching a live play.”
He views this tour as the start of a new musical chapter. Unlike the traditional approach of recording an album and then touring, Batiste is taking his material on the road first—letting it grow organically through performance before heading into the studio.
“It’s about letting the music breathe and evolve with the community before it’s recorded,” he said. “That way, when it’s finally put on record, it’s already lived.”
Improvisation will also be a key part of the experience. Batiste said he always builds space into the show for spontaneous creativity.
“That’s a core part of who I am,” he said. “Improvisation represents the culture I come from. It’s about capturing the moment, uniting people, and expressing something deeply communal.”
Tickets will be available through presales starting Friday.
