Acclaimed singer, songwriter and musician Jon Batiste has announced his ninth album, BIG MONEY, will release Aug. 22 via Verve/Interscope Records.
“This album is a statement regarding humanity, capitalism, Americana, the inner child and the irony of faith,” says Batiste. “Written and recorded mostly live in single takes over two weeks, the album captures the raw immediacy of this moment for me. Collective creative expression draws on the roots of our earliest music in this country as a communal power.”
He continues, “This album is a circus of love. Drawing on the absurdity, chaos, spectacle, drama and comedy of life being akin to a circus and building on the symbolism and mythology of tent culture. Under our tent there is revival and joy. You don’t lose your soul, you gain it!”
BIG MONEY includes collaborations with Andra Day, Randy Newman and No I.D., who also co-produced the album with Batiste.
“However you interpret the songs,” Batiste shares, “you can’t help feeling them. You can’t help accepting an invitation into the tent. Come in and have fun…some deeply serious fun.”
Alongside his new album announcement, Batiste has released the title track and lead single. The bluesy cut is livened by spirited handclaps and percussive stomps, topped with rootsy guitar and a snappy tambourine. Lyrically, the joyful tune reckons the ambitious pursuit of money but offers a reminder that it can’t buy a life worth living.
“Nah, might as well live for something you can feel / Might as well live for something real / You can’t take it with you ’cause there wasn’t nothing with you before / Dust to dust, ashes to ashes, same old, same old, same old thing,” he sings in the chorus, with background vocals by The Womack Sisters — the granddaughters of soul icon Sam Cooke.
Speaking on “Big Money,” Batiste shares, “This is the circus of love. Under our tent, there is revival and joy. You don’t lose your soul—you gain it. When Mama says, ‘Don’t be a dummy, everybody chasing that BIG MONEY,’ Mama is pushing you—while warning you. It cuts both ways.”
BIG MONEYfollows Batiste’s 2024 album,Beethoven Blues, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Classical Albums chart. The solo piano set featured the New Orleans native’s interpolations of Beethoven’s most iconic numbers.
Batiste will support his new album onThe Big Money Tour,kicking off Aug. 27 at The Midland Theatre in Kansas City. From there, he will play in St. Louis, Las Vegas, Cincinnati and Detroit. The tour wraps up Oct. 27 at The Anthem in Washington, D.C.
Stream Jon Batiste’s new song “Big Money” and see his tour dates below.
BIG MONEYAlbum Tracklist
- Lean On My Love (feat. Andra Day)
- Big Money
- Lonely Avenue (feat. Randy Newman)
- Petrichor
- Do It All Again
- Pinnacle
- At All
- Maybe
- Angels (feat. No I.D.)
Jon Batiste’sThe Big Money TourDates
Aug 27 – Kansas City, MO @ The Midland Theatre
Aug 28 – St. Louis, MO @ The Muny
Aug 31 – Santa Fe, NM @ Santa Fe Opera
Sep 1 – Santa Fe, NM @ Santa Fe Opera
Sep 3 – Vail, CO @ Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
Sep 4 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Sep 6 – Las Vegas, NV @ Encore Theater at Wynn
Sep 7 – Las Vegas, NV @ Encore Theater at Wynn
Sep 10 – Woodinville, WA @ Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
Sep 11 – Woodinville, WA @ Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
Sep 19 – San Diego, CA @ The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
Sep 24 – Madison, WI @ Orpheum Theater
Sep 25 – Madison, WI @ Orpheum Theater
Sep 28 – La Vista, NE @ The Astro Amphitheater
Oct 1 – Nashville, TN @ Grand Ole Opry House
Oct 4 – Sugar Land, TX @ Smart Financial Centre
Oct 5 – Irving, TX @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Oct 9 – Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Au-Rene Theater at The Broward Center
Oct 21 – Cincinnati, OH @ Taft Theatre
Oct 23 – Louisville, KY @ The Louisville Palace
Oct 25 – Indianapolis, IN @ Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
Oct 27 – Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre
Oct 31 – Washington, DC @ The Anthem
Get tickets at jonbatiste.com.