Jon Batiste opened Super Bowl LIX with a powerful performance of the National Anthem. The Oscar- and Grammy-winning singer, musician, and composer, who is also known for leading the house band on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, sang the anthem at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. This was the setting for the Philadelphia Eagles’ matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs as they vied for victory.
Batiste began his performance with a jazzy rhythm before building into a powerful crescendo, playing a colorful piano set up in the middle of the field.
Before the event, Batiste shared that he was thinking of his late grandfather, a veteran, and hoped to honor him through his performance. “I’m reflecting a lot on my personal story, the story of this country, and how we can honor the best of us,” Batiste said, noting that his grandfather had been one of his greatest mentors. “He was the best of this country,” he added. “Having that legacy in my family, with the veterans and those who served, I’m singing for them and for all of us, hoping for collective love and healing, especially now.”
Batiste also shared that the piano he played during his Super Bowl performance was adorned with a hand-painted tapestry created by his wife, Suleika Jaouad. Jaouad, who appeared alongside Batiste in the acclaimed 2023 documentary American Symphony, contributed to the personal touch of his performance.
Later in the game, Kendrick Lamar and SZA are set to headline the Halftime Show.